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 contractors on how to properly package, preserve, and mark items for military shipment. It covers 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). The document details specific packing techniques for each method, including required containers (bags per MIL-DTL-117 specifications, rigid containers, metal containers), cushioning materials, and wrapping requirements. For hazardous materials, packaging 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 transport, with markings per MIL-STD-129. The guide addresses commercial packaging standards (ASTM D-3951) and military packaging standards (MIL-STD-2073-1E with Change 1), including level designations, quality assurance provisions, and inspection requirements. Marking requirements encompass identification markings (NSN, CAGE code, part number, quantity, contract number, preservation method and date), bar code markings, address markings using Military Shipping Labels, and special markings for shelf-life, project codes, fragile items, Method 50 packages, expedited handling, and hazardous materials. The document includes sample worksheets, packaging requirement codes, and examples of properly labeled unit, intermediate, and exterior containers with both linear and 2D bar code formats.