The Ultimate Guide to Shipping Dunnage: Protecting Your Ecommerce Orders

Introduction

In the world of ecommerce, ensuring that products arrive safely at their destination is crucial for customer satisfaction and business success. One key element in achieving this goal is the proper use of shipping dunnage. While it may not be a term you hear every day, understanding and implementing effective dunnage strategies can save your business significant time, money, and reputation.

Recent statistics show a concerning trend: there was a 19% increase in damaged packages in the U.S. last year. With the continued growth of online shopping and home deliveries, experts predict this number will only rise. The consequences of damaged deliveries extend beyond customer dissatisfaction - they cost businesses time and money to resolve, not to mention the potential damage to their reputation.

In this comprehensive guide to dunnage for ecommerce orders, we'll explore how proper dunnage can help you avoid these pitfalls by minimizing damaged deliveries. We'll cover the different types of dunnage, how to choose the right dunnage for your products, and strategies for reducing dunnage costs effectively. Let's dive in and discover how FreightAmigo's Digital Logistics Platform can support your dunnage needs and improve your overall shipping process.

What Is Dunnage?

Dunnage refers to the protective materials placed inside packages and parcels to safeguard the contents against damage and other mishaps during transit. For example, you might use packing peanuts to fill a parcel containing a bottle of perfume, preventing it from breaking or becoming damaged during the delivery journey - either from bumps and drops or from contact with other items in the parcel.

The Importance of Dunnage

While some may view dunnage as unnecessary weight, space, and cost, it is actually a crucial component of any ecommerce packaging strategy. Dunnage offers a wide range of benefits that can significantly impact your business's bottom line and customer satisfaction:

1. Damage Protection

Dunnage protects the contents of packaging and parcels by reducing and cushioning the movement of products inside. This is especially important for fragile or delicate items that could easily break or become damaged during transit.

2. Shock Absorption

Dunnage materials absorb external impacts to the package, preventing or minimizing damage to the contents from being dropped, thrown, or mishandled during the shipping process. This is crucial as packages are often tossed into delivery trucks, placed in chutes, or stacked under other boxes.

3. Moisture Absorption

Certain dunnage materials can absorb moisture that would otherwise damage non-waterproof goods, such as paper products, electronics, and edible items. This feature is particularly important for shipments that may be exposed to varying weather conditions during transit.

4. Theft Protection

Anti-tamper dunnage makes it difficult for thieves to open packages and steal products quickly, acting as a deterrent to potential theft. This added layer of security can help protect your valuable shipments and maintain customer trust.

5. Air Circulation

Loose-fill dunnage provides air circulation that allows products such as clothing or food to remain fresh and odor-free during transit. This is especially important for items that require ventilation to maintain their quality.

6. Weight Distribution

Dunnage allows you to separate and distribute package contents to ensure an even weight load, making packages sturdier and easier to handle. This can help prevent damage caused by shifting contents during transit and make packages safer for handlers to move.

In essence, dunnage protects your products, safeguarding your revenue and reputation against the consequences of damaged deliveries and product returns. By investing in proper dunnage, you're not just protecting your products - you're protecting your brand and customer relationships.

The Different Types of Dunnage

Just as there are many benefits to using dunnage, there is also a wide variety of dunnage materials available. Each type of dunnage has its own advantages and considerations. Let's explore some of the most common types of dunnage used in ecommerce shipping:

Air Pillows

Air pillows are plastic pillows filled with air, excellent for providing cushioning around and between products to hold them in place and protect against damage.

Benefits: Lightweight and cushioning

Considerations: Not often recyclable

Kraft Paper

Recyclable kraft paper is commonly used to fill space inside packages and reduce internal damage from products colliding. Kraft paper is deceptively strong, thanks to the removal of most of the lining within the wood.

Benefits: Eco-friendly, strong, and cost-effective

Considerations: Doesn't protect against water damage and may not provide adequate protection for fragile items such as glass

Corrugated Paper

Corrugated paper is another recyclable form of dunnage that protects a variety of product weights.

Benefits: Eco-friendly, cushioning, strong, and offers moisture protection

Considerations: May be more expensive than kraft paper

Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is perhaps the most loved dunnage, with many enjoying popping those little air pockets. As an added bonus, bubble wrap also provides outstanding cushioning and shock absorption for fragile products such as glass and china.

Benefits: Lightweight, flexible, and shock absorbing

Considerations: Not always recyclable and can be bulky

Foam

Foam sheets are commonly used to pad fragile electrical items such as TVs, computer monitors, and tablets. Some foam pockets also come purpose-made to fit products exactly.

Benefits: Thin, lightweight, and flexible

Considerations: Non-recyclable and doesn't protect against severe damage

Foam Nuts

Foam nuts (also known as packing peanuts, foam popcorn, and packing noodles) are a loose-fill dunnage that fills the gaps between the product and the packaging to provide ultimate protection.

Benefits: Adaptable to the space and available in recyclable material (such as cornstarch)

Considerations: Old-style foam nuts aren't recyclable and can be difficult to dispose of

Thermocol

Thermocol (also known as polystyrene) is heavy-duty dunnage used for large items such as fridges, washing machines, and TVs, often combined with foam padding.

Benefits: Sturdy and robust for larger products

Considerations: Not readily recyclable, and difficult to dispose of

Wood

Wood is used as dunnage for bulky and expensive goods that require sturdier protection or compartmentalization.

Benefits: Custom-built to product dimensions, with high-protection properties

Considerations: More costly than other dunnage materials

Plastics

Plastics are used to protect a wide range of products - from clothing and makeup to toys and gadgets.

Benefits: Water-proof, customizable, and sturdy

Considerations: Expensive and not always recyclable

Choosing the Right Dunnage for Ecommerce Orders

Selecting the appropriate dunnage for your ecommerce orders is crucial for ensuring that your products arrive at their destination in perfect condition. When deciding which dunnage to use, consider the following factors:

1. Product Type

Consider whether the product itself calls for a specific type of dunnage. For example, a glass vase requires bubble wrap or foam padding to protect against breakage, while a t-shirt may only need simple plastic packaging to protect against moisture.

2. Package Contents

Be mindful of multi-product deliveries. For example, if you're shipping a beer glass and bottle of beer together, you might add air pillows to stop them from causing damage to one another during transit.

3. Packaging

Take your outer packaging into account. For example, a fragile item sent in a plastic shipping bag will require more dunnage than when sending the same item in a sturdy box.

4. Delivery Journey

Think about the delivery journey. Will the package be left outside, thrown down chutes, stacked under other boxes - or will it be handled with extreme care? The level of protection needed will vary based on these factors.

5. Sustainability

Finally, commit to your company values. If you promote yourself as a sustainable and eco-conscious business, then use dunnage that is easily recyclable and makes a minimal impact on the planet.

How To Reduce Dunnage Costs

Dunnage is one of those hidden fulfillment costs that is easily forgotten but quickly adds up. Here are our top tips for reducing dunnage costs for your ecommerce business:

1. Don't Compromise Protection Over Cost

It can cost up to 17 times the original cost of shipping a product to replace it - so always choose the dunnage option that offers adequate protection for the products inside. While it may seem tempting to cut costs on dunnage, the potential losses from damaged goods far outweigh the savings.

2. Consider Dunnage Weight

Dunnage materials add extra weight to your products, which can increase shipping costs. Always consider this when calculating the cost of different dunnage materials - especially when sending lightweight products. Opt for lightweight yet effective dunnage options when possible.

3. Be Mindful of the Size

Small products in oversized packages don't just add unnecessary weight to your ecommerce shipping costs; they're also an incredible waste of dunnage. Choose appropriately sized packaging for your products and keep at least three different sized packages in stock (small, medium, and large). This will help you optimize your dunnage usage and reduce overall shipping costs.

4. Consider a Digital Logistics Platform

Digital Logistics Platforms like FreightAmigo can help manage your deliveries with comprehensive logistics solutions. By leveraging our advanced technology and expertise, you can optimize your dunnage usage, reduce costs, and improve overall shipping efficiency.

How FreightAmigo's Digital Logistics Platform Can Help

At FreightAmigo, we understand the challenges ecommerce businesses face when it comes to shipping and dunnage. Our Digital Logistics Platform offers a range of features that can help you optimize your dunnage strategy and improve your overall shipping process:

1. Comprehensive Shipping Solutions

Our platform allows you to compare door-to-door freight quotes for international courier, airfreight, sea freight, rail freight, and trucking solutions. This enables you to choose the most cost-effective and appropriate shipping method for your products, taking into account the level of protection required.

2. Real-Time Shipment Tracking

With our advanced tracking capabilities, you can monitor your shipments in real-time. This insight into the delivery journey can help you make informed decisions about the level of dunnage protection needed for different routes and carriers.

3. Customs Clearance and Cargo Insurance

We offer seamless customs clearance and cargo insurance services, providing an additional layer of protection for your shipments. This can help mitigate risks associated with international shipping and reduce the need for excessive dunnage.

4. Automated Shipment Documents

Our platform automates the creation of shipment documents, reducing errors and ensuring all necessary information is included. This can help prevent delays or mishandling that might otherwise require additional dunnage protection.

5. 24/7 Expert Support

Our team of logistics experts is available round the clock to provide guidance on dunnage selection, packaging strategies, and other shipping concerns. This support can help you make informed decisions that balance protection and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusion

Dunnage plays a crucial role in ecommerce shipping, protecting your products and ensuring they reach customers in perfect condition. By understanding the different types of dunnage available, choosing the right materials for your products, and implementing cost-effective strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of damaged deliveries and improve customer satisfaction.

FreightAmigo's Digital Logistics Platform offers comprehensive solutions to support your dunnage and shipping needs. From comparing freight quotes to providing real-time tracking and expert support, we're here to help you optimize your logistics processes and deliver an outstanding customer experience.

Don't let damaged deliveries impact your bottom line or reputation. Invest in the right dunnage strategy today and partner with FreightAmigo to transform your ecommerce logistics. Contact us to learn more about how our Digital Logistics Solution can support your business growth and shipping efficiency.