The shipping process is a complex process that requires great effort and organization for its success, and dunnage is one of the most important factors for the success of the shipping method. As this substance contributes to the arrival of the shipped goods to their destination safe from any problems.
Dunnage is basically one of the essential materials for safe shipments that all successful shipping companies use to keep their goods in good condition during transportation and handling. In this article, we will provide you with all the details you need to know about dunnage, its types, and its importance.
What is dunnage?
Dunnage is an expression for inner packaging used by shipping logistics companies. In order to protect the goods and parcels from damage during the transportation process, these materials are used as padding around the parcel as stabilizing beams.
This material may be hard plastic, bubble wrap, cork granules, sawdust, and other types. In general, the more fragile the goods being shipped, the quality and quantity of this material used to protect the shipment.
Why do shippers use dunnage?
Shippers use dunnage to keep the goods safe during the shipping process. This material helps prevent damage to charged items during loading and unloading operations.
Especially since this material is able to withstand approximately three pounds per square inch of pressure as a limit.
In addition, this material comes with built-in inflation systems and is recyclable. Therefore, it is one of the useful and environmentally friendly materials at the same time compared to other filling materials.
What makes shippers reliant on this material is its effectiveness in protecting the shipment from physical damage as well as moisture and pollution.
All of this allows improving relations between the company and its customers, as their shipments arrive without any problems.
Which enhances the company’s relationship with its customers and increases its reputation in the market and among customers themselves.
This gives it a competitive advantage and greater ability to expand.
The 9 types of dunnage
Goods protection materials are diverse in terms of their nature and composition, and the following are the most important types used:
1. Solid plastics
It is a high-strength plastic that is used to protect high-value goods from damage during the shipping process, knowing that it is one of the expensive dunnage materials.
2. Bubble wrap
This material is used to wrap and protect glass or other materials that may be subject to breakage.
Its use is also very common, as this material can be used more than once as long as the bubbles in it are intact and not damaged.
3. Wood
Wood plans are materials to create barriers between heavy and strong equipment and materials to prevent them from sliding and moving.
4. Air pillows
This method is used to fill voids inside shipping packages and prevent them from sliding and moving, thus protecting them from damage that may occur during shipping operations.
5. Kraft paper
It is a good material for wrapping and protecting goods from damage. It is also inexpensive, environmentally friendly, can be recycled and is commonly used.
6. Foam
One of the most popular materials used in packaging sensitive devices such as electronics, medical equipment and fragile artifacts.
7. Steel
This metal is used as protection for expensive packages, and steel is ideal for holding heavy packages. This is so as not to damage the lighter weight packages.
8. Corrugated paper
It consists of a corrugated layer of cardboard surrounded by two rigid layers, which provides protection for the parcels during transport and handling.
Therefore, it is a popular dunnage material that helps protect against moisture and is a sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging option.
9. Custom dunnage solutions
When none of the above materials fit a package due to its uncommon or multi-piece design, a custom dunnage is designed.
In which a mixture of materials is used that guarantees the safety of the product.
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The importance of dunnage
These materials are considered essential to the success of shipping operations because of their benefits in maintaining the integrity of packages and protecting them from damage.
Here are a number of points explaining the importance of dunnage materials:
1. Shock Reduction
This helps preserve cargo during the shipping process from potential vibrations and shocks during transportation, handling and unloading.
This ensures the safety of parcels and prevents shipments from being damaged.
2. Protect items from water
In the case of shipping parcels by sea, a kind of protective material is placed on the floors of the ships to keep the shipments away from the water and thus protect them from damage caused by the water.
3. Protect items from moisture
Moisture is one of the biggest factors that cause shipment damage, so shipping companies seek to wrap parcels and goods with materials that absorb moisture such as paper and cardboard and prevent damage to them.
4. Fill in the blanks
These materials help keep packages firmly in place, such as using battens or airbags. It protects cargo from movement during transportation and thus maintains its integrity.
5. Reduce costs during the shipping process
By knowing the nature of each product and the protection materials surrounding it, the work team can transport and deliver it safely to the customer.
This reduces the chances of returns or damaged goods, all of which speed up and improve shipments as well.
6. Evenly distribute the weight
This is in the case of transporting large parcels, such as home furniture. These materials help keep the elements in balance during the shipping process.
