Dunnage Explained: Types, Benefits, and How to Choose One

You open a package expecting everything to be secure... but instead, the item has shifted, arrived damaged, or looks like it barely made it through shipping.

That kind of packaging failure can cost you time, money, and customer trust. This is where dunnage steps in. It’s the protective material placed inside a shipment to keep items in place, absorb impact, and prevent damage during transit.

In this article, we’ll break down what dunnage is, why it matters for safe, reliable shipping, and how to choose the right type for your products and process.

What is Dunnage?

Dunnage is any material—like foam, wood blocks, bubble wrap, or air pillows—used to protect, support, and stabilize cargo during shipping.

It prevents items from shifting, absorbing shock from bumps or drops, and can also act as a barrier against moisture or dust.

Basically, dunnage keeps your shipment intact, reduces the risk of damage, and helps you avoid costly returns or replacements.

Why Is Dunnage Important in Shipping?

Shipping isn’t always smooth—packages get tossed around, containers shift, and environmental conditions can vary wildly. Dunnage plays a quiet but critical role in protecting products throughout the journey.

Below are reasons why it matters:

Damage Protection

Dunnage helps keep cargo from sliding, tumbling, or colliding with other items during transit. Whether you’re shipping fragile glassware or expensive electronics, even a minor shift in movement can lead to costly damage.

By filling empty space and keeping items firmly in place, dunnage acts as a physical barrier that absorbs movement and prevents direct impact.

In short, it’s the first line of defense between your products and a shipping disaster.

Example:

In a 2024 case, a cargo ship ran into heavy weather.

The crew had asked for proper securing materials—including dunnage—but not everything was delivered. Because the cargo wasn’t fully supported, it shifted during the storm and caused serious damage to other items and parts of the ship.

Without the right dunnage in place to block movement and absorb impact, even well-packed goods can become a liability.

Moisture Control

Some shipping environments expose packages to high humidity, condensation, or even rain. Dunnage like kraft paper, moisture-resistant foam, or corrugated liners can help shield cargo from this kind of exposure.

For electronics, food items, or anything moisture-sensitive, this protection isn’t optional—it’s really important.

Dunnage doesn’t just keep things in place—it can help keep them dry, too.

Example:

In this example, desiccants handled most of the moisture control, but their effectiveness relied on proper cargo arrangement and protection.

Without stable placement, often supported by kraft paper, corrugated pads, or other forms of dunnage, the desiccants would not have worked as intended.

Simply put, moisture protection begins with dunnage and improves when paired with the right tools.

Shock Absorption

Unexpected jolts, drops, and vibrations are common during loading, unloading, and long-distance transit.

Shock-absorbing dunnage such as bubble wrap, foam inserts, or inflatable air cushions helps soften these blows, minimizing stress on the items inside.

Basically, dunnage works like a cushion that protects your product from the real-world chaos of shipping.

If you're managing high-volume operations, using a platform like Carriyo for small businesses or for enterprises ensures that dunnage is part of a broader, scalable shipping strategy.

What are the Different Types of Dunnage?

Dunnage materials are chosen based on the nature of the cargo, transportation method, and specific protection requirements. Below are some commonly used dunnage types:

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1. Kraft Paper

Kraft paper is one of the most widely used dunnage types due to its low cost and flexibility. It’s great for filling voids, wrapping items, or layering between products.

Best for:

Light to medium-weight goods like books, clothes, or packaged foods.

Pros:

• Cost-effective and widely available
• Lightweight and recyclable
• Easy to crumple or wrap around items

Cons:

• Offers minimal shock absorption
• Not suitable for heavy or fragile items
• Can absorb moisture

2. Air Pillows

Air pillows are lightweight and ideal for eCommerce shipments. They prevent items from moving around and are easy to store in bulk before inflation.

Best for:

Cosmetics, electronics, boxed products.

Pros:

• Lightweight and space-saving before inflation
• Great for void fill and movement prevention
• Clean and easy to handle

Cons:

• Punctures easily
• Not ideal for very fragile items
• Made of plastic (less eco-friendly unless recycled properly)

3. Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap provides both cushioning and shock absorption, making it ideal for delicate or breakable items.

Best for:

Glassware, ceramics, and fragile electronics.

Pros:

• Excellent cushioning and shock absorption
• Reusable if not popped
• Lightweight and flexible

Cons:

• Can be bulky in larger shipments
• Made of plastic, not always recyclable
• Less effective in extreme temperatures

Proper material selection is just the start. Carriyo’s carrier management platform helps ensure those packages are matched with the right delivery provider for each shipment.

4. Foam

Foam dunnage conforms to the shape of products and offers excellent cushioning. It's often die-cut to cradle specific parts.

Best for

Medical devices, computer components, and precision tools.

Pros:

• Highly protective, especially for fragile items
• Customizable and cut to fit shapes
• Lightweight yet durable

Cons:

• Not biodegradable
• Takes up more space than paper-based options
• Can be expensive

5. Corrugated Paper

Corrugated inserts or rolled sheets offer structure and padding. It’s stronger than kraft paper but still lightweight and recyclable.

Best for:

Small appliances, home goods, and subscription boxes.

Pros:

• Stronger than kraft paper
• Recyclable and eco-friendly
• Adds structure and padding

Cons:

• Offers limited shock absorption
• Not ideal for moisture-heavy environments
• Can be stiff and harder to mold around irregular items

6. Packing Peanuts

Packing peanuts are loose-fill materials that surround products completely. They’re lightweight but can be messy and aren’t ideal for all shipments.

Best for:

Oddly shaped or irregular items that need 360-degree cushioning.

Pros:

• Fills space efficiently around irregular items
• Lightweight
• Some biodegradable versions available

Cons:

• Messy and hard to contain
• Can shift during transit
• Often seen as outdated and wasteful

Want to avoid dimensional weight charges due to poor packaging fit? Carriyo’s reports and analytics can identify inefficiencies in packaging dimensions and carrier costs.

7. Wood

Wooden blocks or pallets are used in freight shipping to stabilize and separate heavy cargo.

Best for:

Machinery, furniture, and industrial equipment.

Pros:

• Strong and reliable for heavy items
• Reusable in some shipping environments
• Good for stabilizing freight loads

Cons:

• Heavy and increases shipping costs
• Needs equipment to move
• Not ideal for small-scale or eco-conscious shippers

8. Solid Plastics

Reusable and extremely durable, solid plastic dunnage is typically used in closed-loop shipping systems or manufacturing environments.

Best for:

Automotive parts, assembly components, and tools.

Pros:

• Extremely durable and reusable
• Easy to clean and stack
• Great for repeated internal or loop logistics

Cons:

• High upfront cost
• Not suitable for single-use shipping
• Takes up storage space

9. Steel

Steel dunnage offers maximum durability and weight support. It's often used for high-value industrial shipments where other materials would fail.

Best for:

Oversized equipment, engine blocks, or structural materials.

Pros:

• Maximum strength and durability
• Can support extremely heavy loads
• Ideal for high-risk, high-value cargo

Cons:

• Very heavy and expensive
• Requires machinery for handling
• Not suited for most commercial shipping needs

10. Custom Dunnage Solutions

Custom dunnage is engineered specifically for your product using a mix of materials like foam, plastic, or molded pulp.

Best for:

Unique or high-value items with no off-the-shelf protection option.

Pros:

• Tailored for maximum protection
• Optimized for specific product dimensions
• Often combines multiple materials for performance

Cons:

• Most expensive option
• Longer lead time to design and produce
• Not reusable unless built into a return system

How to Choose the Right Dunnage for Your Needs

Not every product needs the same kind of protection. Choosing the right dunnage means thinking about what you're shipping, how fragile or heavy it is, and where it’s going.

Here are three things to consider:

Product Fragility and Shape

The more delicate or irregularly shaped an item is, the more protection it needs. Fragile products like glassware, electronics, or precision tools benefit from foam inserts, bubble wrap, or molded dunnage that holds them in place and cushions any impact.

Odd-shaped items, even if not fragile, tend to shift more during transit and may need additional void fill or structured padding to stay secure inside the box. On the other hand, simple, sturdy items with flat edges may only require kraft paper or air pillows to fill gaps and prevent movement.

Weight and Load Stability

Heavier products require stronger support. Lightweight consumer goods (such as apparel, accessories, or boxed items) can often be shipped safely using recyclable paper or air cushions. But heavier items—such as tools, equipment, or large components—need dunnage that won’t collapse or shift under weight.

Wooden blocks, solid plastic bracing, or corrugated inserts with high compression strength are better suited for maintaining structural stability during rough handling or stacking. The goal is to keep the product from stressing the outer packaging or damaging other items in the shipment.

Environmental Sensitivity

Think about the shipping environment. Is your product sensitive to moisture, temperature shifts, or vibration? If so, your dunnage should do more than just prevent movement.

For example, electronics and perishables may need moisture-resistant materials like polyethylene foam or laminated paperboard. Long-distance freight shipments—especially those prone to temperature swings or container rain—may benefit from using dunnage that also supports desiccant placement or airflow.

If your product is moisture- or shock-sensitive, it’s worth investing in specialized dunnage or consulting your logistics provider to make sure you're using the right combination of materials.

Conclusion

Dunnage plays a critical role in protecting your products—but it's just one part of building a reliable and scalable shipping process.

At Carriyo, we help businesses like yours go beyond the basics. With our shipping automation, carrier management, and last-mile intelligence solutions, we make it easier to manage how your orders move, how they’re packed, and how they arrive—intact and on time.

We support a wide range of businesses, whether you're a growing e-commerce brand, an established retailer, a 3PL provider, or an enterprise looking to scale with less friction. Our tools are designed to simplify the shipping experience and strengthen the connection between your brand and your customers—right up to the last mile.

Want to see what better shipping looks like? Browse our blog for expert tips or reach out to us if you're ready to take the next step.

Related Questions

Do all shipments require dunnage?

No, but most benefit from it. If your item is fragile, loosely packed, or shipped long-distance, dunnage helps prevent damage.

What does dunnage mean in trucking?

It’s the material used to secure cargo in trucks—like wood blocks, mats, or airbags—to prevent shifting and damage during transit.

What can I use instead of dunnage?

You can use molded inserts, snug-fit packaging, or inflatable systems—as long as they protect items from movement and shock.

Is dunnage reusable or recyclable?

Some materials like foam and plastic are reusable, while paper-based or biodegradable options are recyclable or compostable.

What is dunnage liability in shipping contracts?

It defines who handles the cost, use, or disposal of dunnage—typically agreed upon between shippers and carriers.