MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This is an informational guide for packaging and marking requirements applicable to Department of Defense contracts and solicitations, published by the Defense Contract Management Agency in March 2014.

The guide provides comprehensive instruction on military packaging and preservation standards required for federal contract fulfillment. It covers the application of MIL-STD-2073-1E (Standard Practice for Military Packaging) and MIL-STD-129 (Military Marking for Shipments and Storage), including five basic preservation methods: Method 10 (physical protection), Method 20 (preservative coating only), Method 30 (waterproof protection), Method 40 (watervaporproof protection), and Method 50 (watervaporproof protection with desiccant). The guide details specific packing levels—Level A for severe worldwide conditions and Level B for moderate conditions—with illustrated examples of each method's execution. It includes packaging requirement codes (PRC) that translate contractual specifications into detailed preservation, wrapping, cushioning, and container requirements. The document addresses hazardous materials packaging compliance with modal regulations (Title 49 CFR for land transport, IMO/IMDG for water, ICAO/IATA for commercial air, and AFMAN 24-204_IP for military air), commercial versus military packaging standards (ASTM D-3951 versus MIL-STD-2073-1E), marking requirements for unit packs and shipping containers using both linear bar codes and 2D symbols, special markings for shelf-life, project codes, fragile items, Method 50 packages, expedited handling, and hazardous materials. Additional topics include palletization standards (MIL-STD-147), wood packaging material heat-treatment requirements, RFID tag applications, and quality assurance inspection provisions for preservation and packing integrity.