MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This is an informational guide for packaging and marking requirements applicable to Department of Defense contracts and solicitations. The guide serves as a reference tool for understanding how items must be packaged and labeled to meet federal contracting standards, though it does not constitute official DoD policy and is not intended to replace contractual requirements, specifications, or regulations.

The guide covers five basic methods of military preservation (Methods 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50), each providing varying levels of protection from physical damage and environmental exposure. Method 10 involves physical protection only; Method 20 adds preservative coating; Method 30 provides waterproof protection; Method 40 offers watervaporproof protection; and Method 50 includes watervaporproof protection with desiccant. Specific packaging methods are detailed with illustrations, including container types, wrapping requirements, cushioning materials, and marking specifications. The guide explains Packaging Requirement Codes (PRC) as two-digit codes used to specify packaging procedures, references key military standards (MIL-STD-2073-1E for military packaging, MIL-STD-129 for marking, and MIL-DTL-117 for bags), and provides examples of unit, intermediate, and exterior container labels with identification markings, bar codes, and address markings. Additional sections address hazardous materials handling, special markings for shelf-life, project codes, fragile items, electrostatic discharge sensitive devices, expedited handling, wood packaging material requirements with heat-treatment marking, palletization standards (MIL-STD-147), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, and quality assurance inspection provisions including visual examinations and leakage testing requirements.