Packaging and Marking Guide For DoD

This is an informational guide prepared by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) in March 2014 to familiarize contractors with Department of Defense packaging and marking requirements.

The guide provides comprehensive guidance on military packaging standards, preservation methods, and marking requirements applicable to federal contracts. It identifies key standards including MIL-STD-2073-1E for military packaging, MIL-STD-129 for marking and identification, ASTM D3951 for commercial packaging, and modal regulations for hazardous materials (Title 49 CFR for land transport, IMO/IMDG for water, ICAO/IATA for commercial air, and AFMAN 24-204 for military air). The document specifies 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 are defined as Level A for extreme worldwide conditions and Level B for moderate conditions. The guide details specific packaging methods (31-45, 51-52) with visual illustrations showing required layering of preservation, wrapping, cushioning, and containers. It establishes four types of basic markings: identification markings (NSN, CAGE code, part number, quantity, contract number, military method and date), bar code markings, address markings using Military Shipping Labels with Transportation Control Numbers, and special markings for hazardous materials, shelf life, project codes, and expedited handling. Quality assurance provisions require visual preservation examinations, leakage testing, and heat-sealed seam testing. The guide also addresses heat-treated wood packaging material requirements, palletization standards per MIL-STD-147, and RFID tag specifications for supply chain tracking.