MIL-STD-2073.pdf

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

The guide provides comprehensive instruction on military packaging and preservation standards applicable to federal contracts and solicitations. 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 methods (31-45, 51-52) that combine preservation techniques with containerization, including waterproof bags, rigid containers, and floating watervaporproof bags with heat sealing. 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 markings per MIL-STD-129.

The guide specifies packaging requirement codes (PRCs) used in MIL-STD-2073-1E that translate contract specifications into actionable packaging data, including quantity per unit pack, intermediate container quantity, preservation method, cleaning and drying procedures, preservative material, wrap material, cushioning specifications, and container types. It provides labeling examples for unit, intermediate, and exterior containers with identification markings, bar codes, and address markings per MIL Shipping Labels. Special markings include shelf-life information, project codes, fragile/delicate indicators, Method 50 labels, expedited handling notices, electrostatic discharge warnings, and hazardous material designations. The document notes that wood packaging material must be heat-treated and marked per international standards, and references MIL-STD-147 for palletization standards on 40" x 48" pallets with maximum gross weight of 3,000 lbs.