MIL-STD-2073.pdf

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

The guide provides comprehensive instruction on military packaging standards applicable to federal procurement. It details five basic methods of military preservation: 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, packaging 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 marking per MIL-STD-129. The document specifies military packing levels, with Level A providing maximum protection for severe worldwide conditions and Level B for moderate conditions, along with minimal packing requirements for domestic distribution. It identifies key standards including MIL-STD-2073-1E for military packaging, MIL-STD-129 for marking and shipping labels, ASTM D3951 for commercial packaging, and MIL-DTL-117 for heat-sealable bags. The guide includes detailed illustrations of specific methods, packaging requirement codes (with QUP, ICQ, MOP, CD, PM, WM, CUD, CT, UC, IC, UCL, OPI, PACK, and SP MK headings), sample worksheets, and marking examples for unit, intermediate, and exterior containers. Special markings requirements are addressed for shelf-life, project codes, fragile items, Method 50 packages, expedited handling, electrostatic discharge sensitivity, and hazardous materials. Additional specifications cover palletization standards per MIL-STD-147, heat-treated wood packaging material requirements, and passive RFID tag placement per DFARS Clause 252.211-7006.