MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This is an informational guide on packaging and marking requirements for Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and solicitations, published by the Defense Contract Management Agency in March 2014.

The guide provides comprehensive instructions for complying with military packaging and preservation standards across 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 hazardous materials, contractors must comply with applicable modal regulations including Title 49 CFR for land transport, IMO/IMDG for water, ICAO/IATA for commercial air, and AFMAN 24-204_IP for military air shipments, with marking and labeling per MIL-STD-129. The guide details two primary packing levels: Level A for severe worldwide conditions using overseas-type wood boxes or reusable containers, and Level B for moderate conditions using domestic wood crates or weather-resistant containers. Military packaging requirements apply to items for wartime deployment, requiring reusable containers, delivery-at-sea items, and Defense Transportation and Distribution System storage exceeding six months. For items with anticipated logistics paths limiting exposure to commercial distribution environments, minimal packing requirements are acceptable. The guide includes detailed visual examples of military packing methods (31-45, 51-52) showing specific container types, preservation techniques, wrapping, cushioning, and heat-sealed bag requirements. Packaging requirements are typically located in contract sections C, D, E, and F, with specifications often referenced through Military Standard Drawings, industry standards (ASTM), CIDs, or special packaging instructions. Quality assurance provisions in Appendix G require visual preservation examinations, leakage testing using vacuum retention or immersion techniques, and heat-sealed seam testing per MIL-STD-3010. The document also addresses packaging requirement codes per MIL-STD-20731E(1), container level designations, unit pack specifications, and specialized markings including shelf-life, project codes, Method 50 labels, electrostatic discharge warnings, and hazardous material designations. Heat-treated wood packaging material must comply with international phytosanitary standards and carry appropriate markings, while palletization follows MIL-STD-147 load patterns on 40" x 48" pallets with maximum 3,000-pound gross weight. RFID tagging per DFARS Clause 252.211-7006 may be required for passive tags meeting EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 standards, applied at case and palletized-unit-load levels.