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 standards and practices, serving as a reference document for contractors and procurement personnel. It covers five basic methods of military preservation: Method 10 (physical protection), Method 20 (preservative coating only), Method 30 (waterproof protection), Method 40 (watervaporproof protection), and Method 50 (watervaporproof protection with desiccant). For hazardous materials, packaging must comply with Title 49 CFR for land transport, IMO/IMDG for water, ICAO/IATA for commercial air, and AFMAN 24-204_IP for military air transport, with markings per MIL-STD-129. The guide specifies two packing levels: Level A for severe worldwide conditions using overseas-type wood boxes or reusable containers, and Level B for moderate conditions using domestic crates or weather-resistant containers. Minimal packing requirements apply when anticipated logistics paths indicate exposure no more severe than commercial distribution environments. The document includes detailed illustrations of preservation and packing methods 31-43, covering waterproof bags, greasepoof bags, watervaporproof bags, rigid containers, metal containers, and floating watervaporproof designs with specific container and cushioning specifications. Packaging requirement codes are defined in MIL-STD-2073-1E(1), with codes for quantity per unit pack, intermediate container quantity, preservation method, cleaning and drying, preservative material, wrapping, cushioning, container types, and unit container levels. Package markings must include identification data (NSN, CAGE code, part number, nomenclature, quantity, contract number, military method and date), bar code identifications, address markings using Military Shipping Labels, and special markings for hazardous materials, shelf-life, project codes, fragile items, Method 50 packages, expedited handling, and electrostatic discharge sensitive devices. Quality assurance provisions in Appendix G require visual preservation examinations, leakage testing using vacuum retention, submersion, pneumatic pressure, hot water, or squeeze techniques, and heat-sealed seam testing per Method 2024.