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 instruction on military packaging standards and preservation methods required for DoD shipments. It details five basic preservation methods (Method 10 through Method 50) ranging from physical protection only to watervaporproof protection with desiccant, along with specific container and marking requirements for each method. Key standards referenced include MIL-STD-2073-1E for military packaging, MIL-STD-129 for marking and identification, ASTM D3951 for commercial packaging, and modal regulations for hazardous materials transport (Title 49 CFR for land, IMO/IMDG for water, ICAO/IATA for commercial air, and AFMAN 24-204_IP for military air). The guide identifies where packaging requirements are typically located within solicitations and contracts—specifically in Sections D (Packaging & Marking), and the appendices covering specifications, drawings, and special instructions. It emphasizes that packaging decisions are made by procurement technical personnel prior to RFQ or solicitation issuance and that military packaging requirements apply to items delivered during wartime, requiring reusable containers, delivery at sea, or storage exceeding six months in the Defense Transportation and Distribution System.

The guide includes practical examples of unit, intermediate, and exterior container labels; marking conventions; special handling designations (fragile, hazardous materials, Method 50, expedited handling); palletization standards per MIL-STD-147; and packaging code lookup tools. It also addresses quality assurance provisions, inspection procedures, and preservation testing methods required for compliance verification.