MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This is an informational guide for packaging and marking requirements applicable to Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and solicitations. The document is not an officially adopted DoD standard but serves as a reference tool for familiarization purposes, compiled from current government packaging documents and technical manuals.

The guide covers packaging requirement locations within solicitations and contracts across multiple sections, including supplies and services specifications, packaging and marking standards, inspection and acceptance criteria, and contract clauses. It details hazardous materials packaging requirements mandating compliance with Title 49 CFR (land), IMO/IMDG (water), ICAO/IATA (commercial air), and AFMAN 24-204_IP (military air) regulations, with markings per MIL-STD-129 and modal regulations taking precedence in cases of conflict. The document explains two primary military packaging standards: ASTM D-3951 for commercial packaging appropriate for items intended for immediate use or depot consumption, and MIL-STD-2073-1E for military packaging with Level A and Level B protection designations based on operational demands, storage duration, and transportation conditions. Five basic preservation methods are outlined—Method 10 (physical protection), Method 20 (preservative coating), Method 30 (waterproof), Method 40 (watervaporproof), and Method 50 (watervaporproof with desiccant)—each with specific application requirements including container types, wrapping materials, cushioning specifications, and marking requirements per MIL-STD-129. The guide includes detailed visual examples of packaging methods, quality assurance provisions addressing preservation and leakage inspections, container labeling formats for unit and intermediate packs, exterior shipping container markings, Military Shipping Labels, special markings for shelf-life and hazardous materials, heat-treated wood packaging material requirements, palletization standards per MIL-STD-147, RFID tag specifications, and references to key related specifications including MIL-DTL-117, MIL-DTL-6060, MIL-STD-3010, and ASTM standards for commercial and military packaging practices.