MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This is an informational guide for Department of Defense packaging and marking requirements, issued by the Defense Contract Management Agency in March 2014. The document is explicitly not officially adopted by DoD and is intended for familiarization purposes only, serving as a reference to current government packaging documents, pamphlets, and technical manuals used for instructional purposes.

The guide comprehensively covers military packaging standards, preservation methods, and marking requirements applicable to DoD contracts and solicitations. Key packaging standards include MIL-STD-2073-1E for military packaging, ASTM D-3951 for commercial packaging, and modal regulations for hazardous materials (Title 49 CFR for land, IMO/IMDG for water, ICAO/IATA for commercial air, and AFMAN 24-204_IP for military air). The document details five basic preservation methods: Method 10 (physical protection), Method 20 (preservative coating), Method 30 (waterproof protection), Method 40 (watervaporproof protection), and Method 50 (watervaporproof with desiccant). Military packing levels include Level A for severe worldwide conditions and Level B for moderate conditions, with specific container types and materials specified for each. The guide includes detailed illustrations and specifications for various packing methods (Methods 31-45, 51-52), packaging requirement codes, quality assurance provisions, inspection standards, and marking requirements including identification markings, bar codes, address markings using Military Shipping Labels, and special markings for shelf-life, project codes, fragile items, Method 50 packages, expedited handling, hazardous materials, and heat-treated wood packaging materials. Additional topics covered include palletization standards per MIL-STD-147 and RFID requirements per DFARS Clause 252.211-7006.