MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This is an informational guide for packaging and marking requirements applicable to Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and solicitations. The guide is not officially adopted by DoD but serves as an instructional resource for understanding packaging standards derived from current government documents and technical manuals.

The guide covers packaging requirement locations within solicitation documents (Sections A through J), hazardous materials handling procedures, and distinctions between commercial packaging (ASTM D-3951) and military packaging (MIL-STD-2073-1E). Military packaging is required for items deployed during wartime, requiring reusable containers, delivery at sea, or storage exceeding six months in the Defense Transportation and Distribution System. Five basic preservation methods are detailed: Method 10 (physical protection), Method 20 (preservative coating), Method 30 (waterproof), Method 40 (watervaporproof), and Method 50 (watervaporproof with desiccant). The guide provides visual illustrations of specific methods (31-45, 51-52) showing proper preservation, wrapping, cushioning, and containerization procedures. Packaging Requirement Codes (PRC) are explained through detailed tables addressing quantity per unit pack, intermediate container quantity, preservation methods, cleaning and drying, preservative materials, wraps, cushioning and dunnage, cushioning thickness, unit and intermediate containers, and unit container levels. Quality assurance provisions require visual preservation examinations and leakage testing. Package markings include identification markings (NSN, CAGE code, PN, quantity, contract number, preservation method, gross weight, shelf life, serial numbers), bar code markings, address markings with Military Shipping Labels (MSL), and special markings (hazardous materials, project codes, shelf-life, Method 50 indicators, ESD warnings). Additional requirements address heat-treated wood packaging material marking, palletization standards (MIL-STD-147), RFID tag specifications, and references to relevant military standards and ASTM specifications.