MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This is an informational guide prepared by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) for familiarization purposes regarding packaging and marking requirements for Department of Defense (DoD) shipments and contracts. The guide is not officially adopted by DoD and does not replace contractual requirements, specifications, or regulations.

The guide provides comprehensive guidance on military packaging and preservation standards, with primary focus on MIL-STD-2073-1E (Standard Practice for Military Packaging) and related specifications. 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). For items requiring military packaging, contractors must select appropriate packing levels—Level A for severe worldwide conditions or Level B for moderate conditions—and employ corresponding containers and protective materials. The guide covers 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. Additionally, it addresses marking and identification requirements per MIL-STD-129, including identification markings, bar codes, address markings using Military Shipping Labels (MSL), and special markings for shelf-life, project codes, fragile items, Method 50 packaging, expedited handling, and hazardous materials. The guide includes packaging requirement codes (PRC) referenced in MIL-STD-20731E(1), quality assurance and inspection provisions, examples of container labels, palletization standards per MIL-STD-147, RFID tag requirements per DFARS clause 252.211-7006, and references to key specifications including MIL-DTL-117 (heat-sealable bags), ASTM D3951 (commercial packaging), and heat-treated wood packaging material requirements.