Dunnage consists of loose materials, typically rough-cut wood, foam, or inflatable bags, placed between cargo items to prevent shifting and damage during transit. In maintenance shops, mechanics also use heavy wooden dunnage blocks to stabilize truck axles or frames on jack stands. It fills empty voids in containers and absorbs vibrations that could otherwise ruin fragile freight.
Heard on the job
Throw some extra dunnage between those steel coils so they don't slide forward under hard braking.
Insider tip
Using untreated wood dunnage for international shipping can lead to customs rejections; it must be heat-treated and stamped to meet ISPM 15 standards.