Packaging is one of the most important parts of eCommerce. It is the first step towards ensuring that your customer’s product reaches their doorstep safely. However, as easy as it sounds, packaging is a scientific process on its own. Right from dunnage in eCommerce packaging to selecting the primary and tertiary materials, a lot goes on in keeping the parcel safe. And that’s why as an online seller you must pay attention to it.
Many sellers often make this mistake of not adequately packaging their products. As a result, the condition in which the product is delivered to the customer is disastrous. Fragile items are broken and beauty products turn to come out of their primary packages. Most of all, you might be shipping an expensive product but that gets damaged.
No doubt that it is somewhat the fault of the courier company. But, generally when you’re shipping the products, you need to make sure that your order is ready to handle the challenges of the transit. Because there are hundreds of packages with the courier company, they might not be handled very carefully. Therefore, at the end of the day, it is your duty to use dunnage in ecommerce packaging.
At this point it is natural to have questions like what is dunnage in ecommerce packaging and why is it important. But, don’t worry, we’ll answer all your questions here! Read on to find out everything you need to know about packaging and dunnage in ecommerce packaging.
What is Dunnage in ECommerce Packaging?
Dunnage in ecommerce packaging refers to the durable padding material that is used to protect the goods during shipping. It ensures the maximum safety of the package. More to this, dunnage in eCommerce packaging ensures that your customer receives the product just the way they wanted it.
When people talk about dunnage in ecommerce packaging, they mostly refer to cargo shipments. For ordinary orders dunnage in ecommerce packaging is mostly referred to as fillers. But, regardless of the type of shipment, dunnage has an equal amount of importance.
The entire purpose of the dunnage is to make your parcel stay put. If you’re still facing trouble understanding the concept, let’s take you through the entire packaging process.
- As soon as the seller receives an order on their website, they pick the inventory and lay it down for packing.
- Depending upon the size of the package, they go ahead and pick a suitable box
- Needless to say, the product has to fit in the box just adequately. This means that there needs to be some space left from the walls of the box. Moreover, the box should neither be too small nor too big.
Tip: Remember that courier companies charge shipping fees based on the dimensional weight of the package. Therefore, if you take a very big box for packaging your parcel, chances are you will be charged a greater amount of shipping fee.
Courier companies calculate the dimensional weight of the package based on the height, weight, and depth of the package, and not the product.
- Once you finalize a box to put your product, you add a primary layer of packaging. This is to ensure that the gap between the product and the shipping box is adequately filled. This is where dunnage in ecommerce packaging has a role to play. For example, bubble wraps are dunnage most sellers use in thier business.
Why Should You Use Dunnage in eCommerce Packaging?
There are primarily three types of Dunnage: kit packs, custom dunnage, and multi-material variety.
- Kit packs, also known as component packs, used to hold all the parts of specific products. They improve work efficiency by minimizing the number of containers used to have an individual piece.
- Custom dunnage solutions are options that meet customer needs and wants.
- Multi-material Dunnage in eCommerce packaging is also useful. Sellers make it using various types of materials used in shipment, for example, cardboard.
The total cost of the shipment doesn’t only include the cost of freight but also consists of the hidden fees. For example, hidden damage, concealed damage, labor cost, safety issues, and customer satisfaction. Dunnage in e-commerce packaging is important to protect the product in transit. The following are some importance of Dunnage –
- Protection of the merchandise is the core benefit of the Dunnage.
- Preserve the customer relationship as receiving damaged goods would lead to customer dissatisfaction, and hence they might not order it next time from you.
Benefits of Using Dunnage in ECommerce Packaging
During transit, packages go through many ups and downs. These include environmental conditions in trucks, vehicles, ships, etc. Moreover, courier agents might handle your parcel in a very rough manner. This means that there is a strong possibility that your product might get damaged. In addition to this, if your package is left out due to some conditions, environmental factors such as rain or dust can damage your product.
And the courier delivers the order to your customer’s doorstep, the entire experience gets destroyed. It doesn’t matter whether it was your courier company’s mistake. And that is because the customer purchased the product from your brand. Therefore, you’re the one responsible for the experience.
The following are some of the key benefits of Dunnage in ecommerce packaging-
- Dunnage in ecommerce packaging is inexpensive but can be very useful while protecting the fragile and valuable items that tend to slide in the shipment.
- Moisture damages the products. Using proper Dunnage, it can protect the electronic goods from moisture.
- With Dunnage’s help, products can be protected from getting squished and leading to shock and vibration.
- Some of the products require air circulation when it is being packed. If not provided, the product will leave on odor smell when opened. For, e.g., Products like clothing need ample air circulation within the package to maintain the scent.
- It’s also essential to distribute weights equally as sometimes the packaging boxes are more significant than the product; hence, it needs to be added.
Classification ofDunnage in eCommerce Packaging
Dunnage materials are classified into nine main categories. The usage depends on the type of products one sells. For, e.gUsing bubble wrap will only protect lightweight material.
Plastics
Solid plastics are mostly used for industrial shipments whose shipping is of high value. However, this type of Dunnage is costly but worth the cost of protecting high-value products.
Bubble wrap
Bubble wrap is the most common way of shipping glass and other fragile products. You can use it repeatedly as the bubbles don’t pop easily.
Wood
Wood is dunnage in ecommerce packaging. Sellers use it to create barrier between goods. It is most comfortable to acquire as there is plenty of availability in the warehouse and production facility. This type of Dunnage can be used for the products which are strong and heavy. Although it has a drawback, few ports impose custom duty as it is a form of imported Timber.
Air pillows
Sellers also use air pillows as dunnage in eCommerce packaging. This simply fills the gap in the missing space. It offers exceptional protection during transit. Air pillows are quite light in weight. they hardly add any bulk to the package.
Kraft paper
Kraft paper is one of the common dunnages in ecommerce packaging used by shippers. It is highly elastic and tear-resistant. It’s a recycled paper present crinkled. You can simply stuff it in the package. Most sellers use it widely because it is cheap, eco friendly, and reusable. It is also highly effective.
Foam
You can use foam as a dunnage in eCommerce packaging to pad sensitive and sharp prices. For example, you can use this dunnage in the eCommerce packaging of medical equipment, electronics, etc.
Steel
One of the most expensive dunnage in eCommerce packaging is steel. You mostly use it for high-value products. It prevents damage from heavier products to lighter products. Therefore it’s a good option in case your products are heavy.
Corrugated Paper
Corrugated paper is a famous dunnage classification. Its high tech construction virtually ensures that the materials can carry a wide range of protected weights against moisture, which technically provides sustainable packaging.
On-Demand Dunnage
Custom made dunnage is another popular dunnage in e-commerce packaging. You need custom dunnage solutions when the shippers have specific needs. Therefore you can get these customized. This concern occurs when the material is fragile and has particular dimensions. Therefore, you can locate dunnage providers who can provide you with the kind of dunnage for eCommerce packaging.
Thermocol
Thermocol is another dunnage in eCommerce packaging. People don’t use it commonly. This is because, this dunnage in eCommerce packaging is for certain products like electronics, including television, fridge, etc. You can use it with the combination of foam to create an extra cushion between the product and the package.
Conclusion
As you use dunnage in ecommerce packaging and secure your parcels, it is also important to choose a shipping provider that helps ship your parcels reliably. Dash101 is India’s most trusted shipping service that helps you deliver your parcels to 26000+ pin codes at fares starting Rs 23/500 gms. Grow your business as your ship effortlessly with the one-stop logistics platform.
