Void Fill

What Is Void Fill?

Void fill is any material placed inside a shipping box to occupy empty space around the products. Its purpose is to keep items from moving during transit, which reduces the risk of breakage, dents and scuffs. Common types include crumpled kraft paper, air pillows, packing peanuts, shredded paper and molded inserts.

How It Works

After the products are placed in the box, the packer fills the remaining gaps so the contents are snug and the box keeps its shape. The right amount of void fill holds items firmly without overstuffing, which can bulge the box. Different materials suit different products: paper works well for general protection, air pillows add bulk with little weight and molded inserts hold specific items in place.

• Kraft paper: versatile, recyclable and good for general protection.
• Air pillows: very light and good for filling larger gaps.
• Packing peanuts: fill irregular spaces but can be messy.
• Molded or custom inserts: hold specific products securely.

Why It Matters for Ecommerce Brands

Products that arrive damaged lead to refunds, reships and unhappy customers, so effective void fill protects margin and reputation. At the same time, the need for lots of void fill is often a sign that the box is too big, which can increase billable weight and postage.

For example, a brand shipping glass skincare jars might use paper void fill and a snug box size to stop jars from knocking together. If the jars are floating in a large box with a lot of fill, switching to a smaller carton could both improve protection and reduce shipping cost. Many brands also choose recyclable void fill to match customer expectations around sustainability.