Dunnage is protective packaging material that keeps cargo padded, stable, and in position for shippers moving products of any size. From crinkle paper to specially fitted plastics, the right dunnage shields items from the two things that ruin a delivery: movement and moisture.
Choosing well is part of a smooth fulfillment operation. Frozen food needs insulation, glass needs shock absorption, and heavy equipment needs rigid support. Below are 11 common dunnage options, their pros and cons, and three packaging strategies that make your packing process more efficient.
Key takeaways
- Dunnage is any protective packaging, from crinkle paper to steel platforms, that cushions cargo and keeps it stable in transit.
- The right dunnage matches the product: fragile glass needs shock absorption, while frozen food needs insulation.
- Common dunnage types include kraft paper, bubble wrap, foam wrap, packing peanuts, air pillows, dunnage bags, and box inserts.
- Tracking dunnage inventory in Fishbowl keeps packing consistent and shipping costs predictable.
What is dunnage?
Dunnage in shipping refers to the protective packaging for cargo of all sizes. Whether it’s packing peanuts or firm structures, dunnage keeps items in position and well-padded.
The word is older than it sounds. According to Merriam-Webster, the term has been in use since the 15th century, though its exact origin remains a mystery.
Some dunnage offers more than padding. Frozen food needs insulation to shield it from warm temperatures, and glass items need shock-absorbing dunnage to avoid breakage. The key is choosing a type of dunnage that suits the product it protects.
The market is sizable, too. According to Grand View Research, the global dunnage packaging market is projected to reach USD 5.8 billion by 2030, growing at a 6.2% CAGR from 2025 to 2030.
What are the benefits of using dunnage?
Here’s a closer look at why packaging materials are important.
1. Absorbs shock
Dunnage absorbs shock impulses from movement during shipping, reducing the risk of damage. It helps most when shippers drop a package or when boxes collapse during transport.
2. Protects from damage
Damage happens in a variety of ways, many of which are unavoidable. Unexpected rain can ruin a parcel, and truck accidents can wreck a whole load. While you can’t protect cargo from every variable, dunnage covers most of the bases by waterproofing, cushioning, and stabilizing boxes and packages.
3. Offers aesthetics
Some dunnage, like colored bubble wrap and confetti-like crinkle paper, adds visual interest and builds brand recognition. When customers open a package with branded or vibrant dunnage, it adds an extra touch that shows you care.
11 common types of dunnage
Here are 11 common dunnage types for different products. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global dunnage packaging market was valued at USD 4.43 billion in 2025, with automotive as the dominant end-use segment.
1. Kraft paper
Kraft paper is a thick brown paper that comes in large rolls. Use it to wrap items or bunch it up to fill packaging gaps. This type of dunnage is affordable, recyclable, and versatile, though it only provides medium protection.
2. Bubble wrap
Bubble wrap comes in large sheets you can cut or tear to size. The air-filled bubbles absorb shock well, and the plastic protects against moisture. Bubble wrap is also low-cost, but it’s difficult to recycle, so it’s not the best choice for eco-conscious businesses.
3. Foam wrap
Foam wrap is an alternative to traditional bubble wrap, arriving in thin sheets that cushion like bubble wrap but take up much less space. Some manufacturers customize foam wrap to fit specific items, like laptops, and packers use it to line shipping envelopes. Like bubble wrap, it is not practical to recycle.
4. Packing peanuts
Packing peanuts are small peanut-shaped pieces of foam that take up empty space. While they’re traditionally made of styrofoam, many companies opt for recyclable or compostable peanuts made from corn starch or wheat instead.
Packing peanuts are versatile and low-cost, but because of their small size, you need a lot of them. Some types dissolve in water, making them unsuitable for packages exposed to moisture.
5. Air pillows
Air pillows are made of plastic and inflated with air. They provide substantial cushioning for fragile products and come in a variety of sizes at low cost. You usually can’t recycle air pillows, but some companies make them from bioplastic or recyclable materials.
6. Dunnage bags
Dunnage bags are large inflatable bags that prevent cargo from shifting inside a truck or shipping container. Instead of protecting individual items, they fit between pallets or large boxes. Manufacturers make these bags from durable, puncture-resistant materials such as nylon and polypropylene, then inflate them.
7. Crinkle paper
Crinkle paper is made up of long, thin pieces of paper, often from recycled cardboard or paper. It provides strong protection, and shippers use it for fragile items. Since the pieces are so small, crinkle paper gets messy, so it’s best for protecting goods in smaller boxes.
Crinkle paper machines, which cut and crinkle paper for you, are relatively inexpensive. They’re a good investment if you plan on using this dunnage often. Plus, you can recycle paper you already have, saving money and reducing waste.
8. Corrugated paper
Corrugated paper dunnage is similar to crinkle paper because it’s made from recyclable, textured materials. But it comes in rolls or sheets instead of smaller pieces, for a much cleaner packing process. It’s lightweight and versatile, and it supports eco-friendly shipping practices for packaging gifts or household items.
9. Steel
Steel dunnage refers to structural steel platforms that support large equipment. While steel dunnage is heavy and expensive, it’s important for stabilizing large yet sensitive cargo like medical equipment, household appliances, or electronics. Suppliers often customize these platforms to protect items as effectively as possible.
10. Wood
Wood dunnage does the same job as steel, but it’s more eco-friendly because it decomposes over time. It’s also more versatile, since you can break it down into wood chips to cushion small shipments. Although wood dunnage is expensive, it provides solid protection.
11. Box inserts
Box inserts are custom-made dunnage that conform to an item’s shape, holding it in place during shipping. Manufacturers typically make box inserts from plastic, molded cardboard, or other solid materials. These inserts are costly but worth it for protecting fragile items like framed art and ceramics.
What is plastic dunnage? What are the pros and cons?
Plastic dunnage is protective packaging made from plastic-based materials that cushions cargo and holds it in place during shipping. Shippers reach for it because plastic resists moisture, absorbs shock, and costs little, though most plastic dunnage is difficult to recycle.
Plastic is the dominant material in the category. According to Grand View Research, corrugated plastic alone held the largest revenue share of the dunnage market at 30.3% in 2024, favored in electronics and automotive shipping because it molds to any shape and stands up to repeated trips.
The most common plastic dunnage types are bubble wrap, foam wrap, air pillows, dunnage pages, and molded box inserts.
Pros:
- Strong moisture and water resistance
- Excellent shock absorption for fragile items
- Lightweight, so it adds little to shipping weight
- Low cost, especially at volume
- Reusable and customizable (molded inserts, reinflatable bags)
Limitations:
- Most types aren’t curbside recyclable and are hard to process
- Petroleum-based materials raise environmental and brand concerns
- Some options (film, air pillows) are single-use
- Air-filled types can puncture and deflate, losing their protection
- Not ideal for eco-conscious brands unless made from bioplastic or recycled content
When should you use plastic dunnage?
Plastic dunnage suits products that face moisture, need shock absorption, or ship in high volume where cost per unit matters. It’s the default for electronics, glass, and fragile goods that can’t tolerate damp or impact.
3 packaging strategies for more efficient picking and packing
Effective packaging involves more than adding dunnage to individual boxes. A few strategies support efficient picking and packing and smoother shipping. Here are three to know.
1. Kit packaging
Kitting combines multiple items into one kit or package. The goal is to nudge customers toward a kit instead of a single item, lifting sales at a lower packing and shipping cost. Many companies bundle less popular items with bestsellers to move older inventory off the shelves.
You can prepare standard kits of related items or make the kits customizable. For example, a clean-beauty brand selling starter kits could let customers select preferred colors for predetermined items.
2. Multi-material packaging
Multi-material packaging fuses several layers of different materials to customize dunnage. The packaging may include a plastic and a paperboard layer to achieve the specific benefits of each material.
This approach is common in the food industry. It keeps the material closest to the food free of chemicals, with any non-food-safe materials on exterior layers. The result is greater stability and protection against leaks or moisture.
3. Component packaging
Component packs have separate bags or areas for products with multiple parts. These smaller containers within a package protect each component so nothing gets damaged or lost. For example, when you buy assemblable furniture, the screws and tools are often in separate packaging next to the larger components.
Ensure efficient packaging and shipping options with Fishbowl
No matter what dunnage you use, a comprehensive inventory solution like Fishbowl streamlines your packing and shipping process.
Fishbowl’s QuickBooks integration lets you track and manage dunnage inventory, keep packaging practices consistent, and run smoother supply chain operations. Whether you’re managing material across multiple locations or shipping from a centralized warehouse, Fishbowl helps you organize and track stock with ease. Koken USA, a Columbus, Ohio manufacturer, saw a 7% decrease in freight costs through optimized planning after standardizing operations in Fishbowl.
Frequently asked questions about dunnage
Why is it called dunnage?
The exact origin of the word is unknown. According to Merriam-Webster, dunnage has been in use since the 15th century, though its etymological history remains a mystery. The word originally described the loose materials placed under or around cargo in a ship’s hold to guard goods against moisture and shifting.
What is the difference between dunnage in shipping and dunnage in construction?
In shipping, dunnage is the padding and bracing that protects cargo from movement and moisture inside a box, truck, or container. In construction, dunnage usually refers to blocks, beams, or platforms that raise materials and equipment off the ground. Both uses share the same goal of keeping goods stable and undamaged, but construction dunnage is built for structural support rather than cushioning.
Are pallets considered dunnage?
Yes, pallets are a form of dunnage. They elevate goods off the floor or truck bed, protect items from moisture, and create a stable base for stacking and forklift handling. Like other dunnage, pallets keep cargo secure during transport and are often paired with dunnage bags and bracing to stop loads from shifting.
What are the most eco-friendly types of dunnage?
The most eco-friendly dunnage uses recycled or renewable materials. Good options include recycled kraft and crinkle paper, corrugated paper, cornstarch or wheat-based packing peanuts, and reclaimed wood. These materials are recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable, and paper-based options are often the easiest for customers to recycle curbside.
How do I choose the right dunnage for fragile items?
Match the dunnage to the product’s fragility, weight, and exposure to moisture. Air pillows and foam wrap cushion lightweight, breakable goods, while custom box inserts hold fragile items like framed art firmly in place. For heavier or high-value equipment, rigid steel or wood dunnage provides stability, so test your packaging under realistic handling before setting a standard.
Is plastic dunnage recyclable?
Most plastic dunnage is difficult to recycle curbside. Bubble wrap, foam wrap, and air pillows are usually made from thin film or expanded plastics that standard curbside programs won’t take, though some grocery and retail stores accept clean plastic film for drop-off recycling. Rigid options like molded box inserts and reusable dunnage bags last through many trips, which lowers their footprint over time even when they aren’t recycled at end of life. For eco-conscious shipping, look for plastic dunnage made from recycled content or bioplastic, or switch to paper-based alternatives like kraft or corrugated paper where the product allows.