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What Are Dunnage Airbags?

Dunnage airbags are inflatable load securement bags placed inside the voids between cargo in trucks, railcars, and shipping containers. Also called air dunnage bags, cargo air bags, or freight airbags, they expand under pressure to fill empty space and stop cargo from shifting during transit.

Unlike wood bracing or foam blocking, inflatable dunnage bags require no tools, no carpentry, and no cleanup. They are the fastest and most cost-effective method for void filling and load stabilization in commercial freight.

At Dunnage Systems Inc., we have been a supplier of dunnage airbags to freight operations across the nation since 1992.

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Two Types of Dunnage Air Bags: Find the Right Fit for Your Load

Polywoven Dunnage Airbags

Best for reusable, moisture-resistant, heavy-duty cargo protection applications.

  • Built from elastic polywoven material with no PE coating required
  • Rated Level 0 through Level 5 for AAR rail compliance
  • Quick-deflate removable valve for fast reuse between shipments
  • Superior moisture resistance without additional coating
  • Suitable for rail, intermodal, ocean, and over-the-road truck
Read More Product Specification
Kraft Paper Dunnage Airbags

Best for single-use, high-volume, cost-sensitive cargo packaging operations.

  • Made from multiple layers of high-strength extensible kraft paper
  • Available in 2-ply, 4-ply, 6-ply, and 8-ply constructions
  • Optional polyethylene outer coating for moisture-exposed environments
  • Approved for truck, ocean, rail, and intermodal use
Read More Product Specification

Dunnage Airbag Specifications

All dunnage air bags from Dunnage Systems are manufactured to meet or exceed AAR performance standards. Select the construction and level that matches your load profile and transportation mode. Contact us to confirm size availability for your specific void dimensions.

Kraft Paper
Construction Load Capacity (lbs) Max PSI Transport Method
2-Ply Less than 45,000 2 Truck (OTR)
4-Ply 45,001 – 75,000 4 Truck, Ocean
6-Ply 75,001 – 160,000 8 Rail, Intermodal, Ocean
8-Ply 160,001 – 240,000 10 Rail, Intermodal, Ocean
Polywoven
Construction Load Capacity (lbs) Max PSI Transport Method
Level 0 Up to 45,000 2.0 Truck (OTR)
Level 1 Up to 45,000 3.0 Truck, Intermodal, Sea Container
Level 2 Up to 75,000 5.0 Truck, Intermodal, Sea Container
Level 3 75,001 – 160,000 8.0 Rail, Intermodal, Ocean
Level 4 160,001 – 216,000 10.0 Rail, Intermodal, Ocean
Level 5 Up to 216,000 (horizontal roll paper) 10.0 Rail, Intermodal, Ocean

Need help matching the right level to your load? Our procurement team responds within one business day. Download the spec sheet for your bag type or request a bulk quote below.

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How to Choose the Right Dunnage Airbag for Your Shipment?

Selecting the correct dunnage air bag comes down to four factors. Match these to your load and you eliminate overfilling, under-bracing, and avoidable cargo damage from the start.

Transportation Method

Different transport methods require different levels of cargo securement. Truck, rail, ocean, and intermodal shipments may need different types of dunnage air bags depending on movement and load conditions.

Material Preference

Kraft paper dunnage bags are ideal for cost-effective, single-use shipments. Polywoven dunnage air bags are preferred for reusable, moisture-resistant, and heavy-duty applications.

Bag Size

Choose a dunnage bag that properly fills the gap between cargo loads. Correct sizing helps minimize cargo movement and improves load stability during transportation.

Load Capacity

Select the dunnage air bag based on the weight and pressure of your cargo. Heavy-duty shipments require stronger bags for reliable cargo protection and secure load containment.

30 Years of Cargo Protection Expertise

Since 1992, Dunnage Systems Inc. has built its reputation on one principle — every bag that ships must perform as specified, every time. Our team provides direct technical support, spec documentation, and AAR compliance records with every order.

Built for Bulk and Repeat Orders

We supply bulk dunnage air bags in pallet and truckload quantities for distribution centers, manufacturers, and freight operations of all sizes. Repeat orders ship on a consistent schedule. We also offer a Vendor Managed Inventory program for buyers who want automatic replenishment based on consumption rate. Ask our team about VMI eligibility.

Why Procurement Teams Choose Dunnage Systems?

We are not a catalog distributor. We are a direct dunnage air bags manufacturer with 30 years of production experience, and that difference shows up in every order.

Shipment and Application Guidance Included

Not sure how many bags your load needs? Our team will calculate void fill requirements and recommend the correct construction for your route and mode at no charge. We treat every new buyer as a long-term account because that is how we have operated for more than three decades as a trusted dunnage bags supplier.

Transparent Volume Pricing

Dunnage airbags price depends on material type, construction level, bag size, and order volume. We provide clear, line-item quotes with no hidden fees. Wholesale dunnage air bags buyers receive preferred volume pricing confirmed at the time of quote. No surprise fees on reorders.

Consistent Specs Across Every Order

Every bag we ship meets the same construction rating, pressure tolerance, and material specification as your first order. No substitutions. No surprises. Our QA process validates specification consistency across all outbound shipments of industrial dunnage bags, ensuring compliance and predictability for procurement teams.

How to Use a Dunnage Airbag?: Six Steps from Load to Departure?

Proper application of inflatable dunnage air bags takes under two minutes per void once your dock crew is trained. Follow these six steps to ensure every bag is installed correctly, inflated to the right pressure, and providing full interior cargo protection before the trailer or container is sealed.

1
Load_the_Cargo_and_Identify_the_Void

Load the Cargo and Identify the Void

Load your pallets, boxes, or rolls into the trailer, railcar, or container following your standard loading plan. Before sealing, walk the load and identify every gap between cargo units and between cargo and the container walls. Measure the void width at its widest point to confirm which bag size you need.

2
Select_and_Unfold_the_Correct_Bag

Select and Unfold the Correct Bag

Match the bag size to your void measurement and confirm the construction level matches your transport mode. A bag that is too small will not brace the load effectively. A bag that is oversized will not fit the void deflated. Check the bag label for construction and pressure ratings before proceeding.

3
Slide_the_Bag_into_the_Void

Slide the Bag into the Void

Slide the deflated cargo airbag flat into the void with the inflation valve facing outward toward the door or access side of the container. The bag should sit loosely in the void when fully deflated. Do not crease the material or kink the valve stem during placement.

4
connect-the-inflator-and-inflate

Connect the Inflator and Inflate

Attach the Dunnage Systems inflator tool to the bag valve. Our snap-on inflator and gauge combination allows one-hand operation for faster dock throughput. Inflate slowly while watching the built-in pressure gauge. Stop when the bag reaches its rated pressure as indicated on the label. Never exceed the rated pressure.

5
verify-fit-and-confirm-inflation

Verify Fit and Confirm Inflation

Press lightly on the bag surface with your palm. A correctly inflated dunnage bag should not compress more than approximately half an inch under light hand pressure. Confirm that the bag fills the full width and height of the void with no visible gaps at the top, bottom, or sides.

6
Close_and_Clear_for_Shipment

Close and Clear for Shipment

With all voids filled and verified at rated pressure, the load is ready for sealing and departure. The inflatable dunnage airbags will maintain their pressure throughout the journey, keeping cargo stable from dock departure to destination. At delivery, deflate polywoven dunnage bags using the quick-deflate valve and return them to supply for reuse.

Certifications and Quality Standards

Industries We Serve

Our dunnage airbags are trusted by shippers across a wide range of industries.
If your business moves palletized goods, we have a solution built for your load.

Automotive Parts
Food and Beverage
Paper and Pulp
Chemical and Industrial
Consumer Goods and Retail
Building Materials
Pharmaceuticals
Electronics and Technology
Agriculture and Grain
Third-Party Logistics (3PL)

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    Frequently Asked Questions About Dunnage Airbags

    What are dunnage airbags used for?

    Dunnage air bags are used to fill empty voids between cargo units inside trucks, railcars, and shipping containers. When inflated, they press firmly against surrounding cargo and container walls, preventing loads from shifting during transit. They replace wood bracing, foam blocking, and other mechanical void fill methods and are faster to install, easier to remove, and more consistent across load configurations.

    You can purchase dunnage bags for sale directly from Dunnage Systems Inc., a USA-based manufacturer in Little Rock, Arkansas. We supply kraft paper dunnage airbags and polywoven dunnage air bags in pallet and truckload quantities for buyers across all 50 states. Submit a quote request on our website or call (870) 942-4830 for same-day assistance.

    Dunnage airbags price depends on material type, construction level, bag size, and order volume. Kraft dunnage bags are generally lower in per-unit cost and best for single-use, high-volume operations. Polywoven dunnage bags carry a higher per-unit price but deliver savings through reusability over multiple shipment cycles. Request a bulk quote for volume pricing specific to your product and order quantity.

    Kraft paper dunnage bags are single-use, available in 2-ply through 8-ply for loads up to 240,000 lbs. Polywoven dunnage air bags are reusable, built from elastic polywoven material, and rated Level 0 through Level 5. Poly woven dunnage bags provide inherent moisture resistance without a PE coating and include a quick-deflate valve for reuse. Choose kraft for cost-driven single-use operations. Choose polywoven when durability, moisture resistance, and reusability matter.

    Yes. Reusable dunnage airbags made from polywoven material are specifically designed for multiple shipment cycles. The quick-deflate removable valve allows full deflation in seconds at the destination without any tools. Once deflated, the bag folds flat, stores compactly, and is ready for the next outbound load. For operations running daily or weekly freight cycles, reusable dunnage bags reduce per-shipment packaging costs significantly.

    Complete your load securement system

    Polywoven Dunnage Airbags

    Polywoven Dunnage Airbags

    Polywoven Dunnage Airbags

    Reusable, moisture-resistant void fill bags rated Level 0 to Level 5 with AAR-certified options.

    Level 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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    Kraft Dunnage Airbags

    Kraft Dunnage Airbags

    Kraft Dunnage Airbags

    Single-use kraft paper void fill bags available in 2-ply to 8-ply for all load capacities.

    2-Ply, 4-Ply, 6-Ply, 8-Ply
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    Airbag Inflators

    Airbag Inflators

    Airbag Inflators

    Precision inflation tools that deliver controlled airflow for reliable and efficient dunnage bag inflation across multiple valve types.

    Cordless Battery Operated & Air Compressor Connected Airbag Inflators
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    Void Filler

    Void Filler

    Void Filler

    Structural void fill panels for trailer and container cargo stabilization. Made to order with custom sizing available.

    View More
    FIBC Bulk Bags

    FIBC Bulk Bags

    FIBC Bulk Bags

    High-capacity bulk bags designed for industrial, agricultural, and hazardous material handling and transport applications.

    View More

    Ready to Reduce Freight Damage
    and Simplify Your Void Fill?

    Talk to a dunnage air bags specialist at Dunnage Systems. Get product recommendations, bag size guidance, and bulk pricing confirmed in one conversation. We respond within one business day. Most buyers have a quote in hand the same day they call.

    Get a Bulk Quote (870) 942-4830
    Protect Cargo Now! (870) 942-4830