What Is Dunnage and Why Is It Important?

What is Dunnage? The Unsung Hero of Ecommerce Shipping

If you’re in ecommerce, you’ve probably mastered words like “SKU,” “fulfillment center,” and “inventory turnover.” But there’s one term that deserves just as much attention: dunnage. It might sound like shipping jargon, but understanding and using the right type of dunnage can make or break your fulfillment strategy—literally. Dunnage refers to the protective packaging materials used to keep items safe during shipping. Think bubble wrap, packing peanuts, kraft paper, foam inserts, and even heavy-duty options like wood and molded plastic. Whether your product is fragile, oddly shaped, or just needs to stay put in a box, dunnage fills empty space, absorbs shock, and prevents movement in transit. The right dunnage keeps your items from arriving at a customer’s doorstep damaged, broken, or worse—missing altogether.

Types of Dunnage: Lightweight, Heavy-Duty, and Custom Solutions

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to dunnage. Lightweight options like crinkle paper, air pillows, and packing peanuts are ideal for cushioning everyday items. For delicate or high-value goods, foam padding or bubble wrap offers extra protection. Eco-conscious brands may prefer recyclable materials like corrugated paper or biodegradable peanuts to reduce waste without sacrificing safety. On the heavier end of the spectrum, wood and solid plastics are used to stabilize industrial, automotive, or high-value shipments. Some businesses even invest in custom dunnage—engineered packaging that conforms to the exact shape and size of a product, providing maximum security for irregular, fragile, or multi-piece items.

Why Ecommerce Brands Need Dunnage—And How to Use It Right

In ecommerce shipping, first impressions count. A cracked item, a scratched product, or a jumbled mess of goods can lead to returns, refunds, and lost trust. Dunnage ensures that products are not only protected but also presented professionally. It absorbs impact, resists moisture, and prevents items from shifting during transit. That means fewer damaged goods, better unboxing experiences, and happier customers. Just as important as choosing the right dunnage is using the right size shipping box or mailer. A small item in a huge box filled with excessive dunnage isn’t efficient—and might still break if it moves too much. On the flip side, jamming a delicate item into a bubble mailer without enough padding is a fast track to a damaged delivery. The ideal fulfillment setup combines the right outer packaging with just enough dunnage to secure the item snugly and safely.

Dunnage = Damage Control + Customer Satisfaction

At the end of the day, dunnage is your frontline defense against shipping damage. Whether you’re shipping high-end electronics, handmade ceramics, or lifestyle products, dunnage plays a critical role in protecting your reputation and your bottom line. When your fulfillment strategy includes the right packaging materials and dunnage types, your products are safer—and your customers are more likely to come back for more. Want to see how a modern fulfillment center like ShipMonk handles dunnage across thousands of SKUs? Take a virtual tour of our facility or reach out for a quote—we’ll walk you through how we protect every shipment like it’s our own.