MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This document is an informational guide for packaging and marking procedures applicable to Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and solicitations. It is not an official DoD adoption but rather serves as a familiarization resource derived from current government packaging documents, technical manuals, and specifications.

The guide provides comprehensive coverage of military packaging standards, including MIL-STD-2073-1E for military packaging and ASTM D3951 for commercial packaging. It details 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). Each method is illustrated with specific packing techniques and container requirements. The document covers military packing levels A and B, which protect against severe and moderate worldwide shipping conditions respectively, and specifies minimal packing requirements for items not exposed to harsh environments. Additional sections address hazardous materials packaging requirements, including compliance with Title 49 CFR for land, IMO/IMDG for water, ICAO/IATA for commercial air, and AFMAN 24-204_IP for military air transport, all requiring marking and labeling per MIL-STD-129 standards.

The guide includes packaging requirement codes (PRCs) as specified in MIL-STD-207031E(1), detailing codes for quantity per unit pack, intermediate container quantity, preservation methods, cleaning and drying procedures, preservative materials, wraps, cushioning, container types, and special markings. It provides sample worksheets, label examples for unit and intermediate containers, exterior container markings, and Military Shipping Label (MSL) formatting. Special markings sections cover shelf-life, project codes, fragile/delicate handling, Method 50 packaging, electrostatic discharge sensitivity, hazardous materials labels, heat-treated wood packaging material requirements per ISPM 15, RFID tag specifications per DFARS Clause 252.211-7006, and expedited handling markings. Quality assurance provisions from MIL-STD-2073-1E Appendix G outline preservation and packing inspection requirements, including visual examinations, leakage testing, and heat-sealed seam testing, with references to MIL-STD-3010 for test documentation procedures.