MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This document is an informational guide for packaging and marking practices applicable to Department of Defense contracts and solicitations, published by the Defense Contract Management Agency in March 2014.

The guide establishes packaging requirements across five basic military 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). Military packaging levels are classified as Level A for severe worldwide conditions or Level B for moderate conditions, with specific container types and protection specifications for each. Hazardous materials must comply with Title 49 CFR for land transport, IMO/IMDG for water, ICAO/IATA for commercial air, and AFMAN 24-204_IP for military air, with markings per MIL-STD-129. Commercial packaging per ASTM D-3951 applies to items for immediate use, depot consumption, or domestic small parcel shipments. The document details packaging requirement codes (PRCs) defined in MIL-STD-207311E(1), which use multi-digit alphanumeric codes specifying quantity per unit pack, intermediate container quantity, preservation methods, cleaning and drying procedures, preservative materials, wraps, cushioning materials, container types, and unit container levels. Package markings must include identification information (NSN, CAGE code, part number, quantity, contract number, military preservation method and date), bar codes, address markings using Military Shipping Labels with Transportation Control Numbers, and special markings for shelf-life, project codes, fragile items, Method 50 packages, expedited handling, hazardous materials, heat-treated wood packaging materials, and RFID tags when applicable. Quality assurance provisions require visual preservation examinations, leakage tests, and heat-sealed seam testing per specifications in MIL-STD-2073-1E(1) Appendix G.