The Nation’s Combat Support Logistics Agency

Packaging 

Overview

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Packaging Specialist

2022
Agenda

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• DLA Packaging Overview

• Packaging Requirements (MIL-STD-2073)

‒ Packaging Codes Decoded

‒ Preservation Methods

‒ Quantity Unit Pack (QUP)

‒ Intermediate Container Quantity (ICQ)

• Military Marking (MIL-STD-129)

• Wood Packaging Material (WPM)

• Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

• Hazardous Materials

• Lead Free Requirements (E-code)

• Commercial Packaging (ASTM D3951)

• Reports of Discrepancies

• Resources
DLA Packaging Overview

Focus

Defense Logistics Agency Packaging Program

• Defines DLA Field Activity responsibilities concerning the 

packaging of DLA managed materiel, to be procured, stored, 

and shipped with adequate, continuous protection at the lowest

overall cost.

Results

• Materiel is procured, fully packaged in a ready-for-issue state

• Products must arrive at ultimate consignee’s (user) destination 

in serviceable condition.

Innovation

• Contractors are encouraged to use state-of-the-art materials, 

processes, and equipment in accordance with contract 

requirements.

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PACKAGING

Preservation, Packaging, Packing, and Marking

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MIL-STD-129R

•Military Marking for Shipment and Storage

•Department of Defense uniformed marking requirements

•Mandatory marking requirements for ALL DoD shipments to identify material and trace back to the contractor

•Free document to download

•NOTE: Review pictorial marking requirements within ASTM D5445 when special markings required.

MIL-STD-2073-1E

•Standard Practice for Military Packaging

•Decodes preservation, packaging, packing, and special marking requirements

•Appendix J denotes packaging data

•Required for long-term storage and/or items with specific protection needs that cannot be met with commercial 

practices

•Free document to download

•NOTE: If packaging data is missing, review paragraph 4.2 and notify contracting officer

ASTM D3951

•Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging

•Establishes minimum requirements for packaging of supplies and equipment

•Package design must facilitate multiple handling, shipment by any mode, and storage for minimum of one year in 

enclosed facility without damage to the product.

•Unit package must also be ready for issue and redistribution without any additional packaging and/or marking.

•Copyright protected – must purchase this document

•NOTE: Only applicable when an acquisition document references this document solely.
MIL-STD-2073-1E

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Example of MIL-STD-2073-1E 

Packaging Requirements

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QUP and Unit of Issue -

How it Appears on Contracts

• Unit of Issue is in the Contract, Section B

CLIN

1

PR PRLI

0040888212 0001

UI

PR

Quantity

15

Unit Price

$113.05

Total Price

$1695.75

QUP & Packaging Data is in the Contract, Section B under 

PREP FOR DELIVERY

PKG DATA – MIL-STD-2073-1E, DATED 23 May 2008

QUP= 001; PRES MTHD = 41; CLNG/DRY = 1; PRES MAT = 00; WRAP MAT = 00; 

CUSH/DUNN MAT = NA; CUSH/DUNN THCK = A; UNIT CONT = BS; OPI = M; 

INTERMDTE CONT = E5; INTERMDTE CONT QTY = 012; PACK CODE = Q

MARKING SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MIL-STD-129. 

SPECIAL MARKING CODE: 32 (TYPE 1 SHELF LIFE)

PALLETIZATION SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RP001: DLA Packaging

Requirements for Procurement

Pay close attention to UI and QUP lines on contract. Unit of Issue marked as: 1 PR

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Basic Methods of Preservation 

for MIL-STD-2073-1E

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• Method 10 Physical & Mechanical Protection only

• Method 20 Preservative Coating Requirement

• Method 30 Waterproof and/or Greaseproof Protection

• Method 40 Watervapor proof protection

• Method 50 Watervapor proof protection with Desiccant

Attention: As numeric value increases, so does level of preservation increase.
Specialized Preservation Methods

“HM”

• Denotes regulated by transportation as a 

Hazardous Material

• Packaging and marking in accordance with 

Hazardous Materials regulations

• Performance-Oriented Packaging (POP) 

certified containers

• Packers shall be certified to package and 

mark hazardous material per Title 49 Code of 

Federal Regulations (CFR)

“GX”

• Denotes part is Electrostatic Sensitive

Device (ESD) or Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

• Requires ESD Control Program

• Requires item shall be handled at ESD 

Workstation

• Shall only use “Approved” ESD

packaging materials by “Qualified” 

sources

• Requires ESD labeling for users to be 

aware of special handling requirements

• Failure to comply with “GX” requirements

can either damage part or cause latent 

failures

• Compromised parts (parts exposed to 

ESD) shall be returned to the vendor

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Quantity Unit Pack and 

Intermediate Container Quantity (ICQ)

Factors for Determining Military 

Packaging Quantity Unit Pack (QUP)

QUP of one:

• Repairable items, items valued $50 or 

more

• Items packed in accordance with Method 

of Preservation 50, irregular shaped, 

delicate or fragile items

• Items with a unit of issue of pair (PR), set 

(SE), or kit (KT) (see paragraph B.3.1 –

B.3.6)

QUP more than one:

• Formulas based upon item weight, 

dimensions, cost, and method of 

preservation (see paragraphs B.3.8 –

B.3.8.2 and Table B.4.1 or B.4.2)

Determining Quantities per 

Intermediate Container Quantity (ICQ)

ICQ Maximums:

• 100 unit packs per intermediate container

• 40 pounds

• 1.5 cubic feet with at least two dimensions 

not exceeding 16 inches

Intermediate Container Limitations

• When quantity shipped to a single 

destination is less than the established 

ICQ, then place all unit packs in a 

minimum size shipping container

• When the contract/order total quantity is 

more than established ICQ pack as 

many intermediate containers to the 

established ICQ and the remaining quantity in smallest container to 

accommodate these unit packs

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MIL-STD-129 Marking Examples

No Nomenclature, unless the product

is a regulated hazardous material,

then Proper Shipping Name required

REF: MIL-STD-2073-1E, Figure 1 WARFIGHTER ALWAYS
Military Shipping Label (MSL)

The recommended MSL size is 4 by 6 inches

• Code 39 (Linear)

• TCN (Transportation Control Number)

• Piece number

• Ultimate consignee

Code 39

• Department of Defense Activity Address Code (DODAAC) 

PDF417 (2D)

• Shipment

• Line item

• Transportation Control Movement Document (TCMD) date 2D

• Transportation Office:

• 1-800-456-5567

• delivery@dla.mil Contact

NOTE: Vendor Shipment Module (VSM) has feature to print MSL.

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ASTM D3951

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Allows for selected items to be packaged in accordance with ASTM D3951, 

Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging

• Commercial Packaging QUP:

• ASTM D3951, paragraph 5.1.2.2 governs Unit Package Quantity

• Contract QUP takes precedence over ASTM D3951

• Typically, QUP 001 unless otherwise specified within your contract

• Commercial Packaging ICQ:

• ASTM D3951, paragraph 5.1.3 governs intermediate package 

quantity

• Commercial Packaging “Marking”:

• ASTM D3951. paragraph 5.1.6.5 governs markings for DoD 

shipments (in accordance with MIL-STD-129)

• Mark Method of Pack for commercial packaging as “MCP”

• Bar code in accordance with AIM BC1

• Wood Packaging Material (WPM)

• ASTM D3951, paragraph 5.1.6.4 governs compliance with ISPM 

Publication No. 15
Wood Packaging Material (WPM)

• Why ISPM for WPM? • To help reduce the risk of pest infestation, a global set of measures has been accepted and are 

applied to WPM.

• Ensure WPM is in conformance with the International Standards of Phytosanitary Measures 

Publication No. 15 (ISPM 15).

• Requirement: • Heat-treated wood requirements in accordance with DLA contract clause 52.247-9012 

Requirements for Treatment of Wood Packaging Material (WPM) (9/2016)

• Applies to wood packaging material used to fabricate crates, boxes, and pallets

• WPM is also cited in DLA Master List of Technical Quality Requirements: RP001

• ALL WPM shall be heat-treated,

including pallets, and marked accordingly 

with the heat-treated compliant mark, ISPM 15

• Mark must be visible on exterior of container or pallet for inspection

 Level A Packing: Pallets shall utilize ANSI/MHIA-MH1, Part No. MH 1/9-05SW4048 distributed.

 Level B Packing: Pallets shall utilize ANSI/MHIA-MH1, Part No. MH 1/9-02SW4048 pallet for

unit loads less than 1500 lbs. evenly distributed. For unit loads greater than 1500 lbs., but less

than 3000 lbs. evenly distributed, ANSI/MHIA-MH1, Part No. MH1/9-05SW4048 pallet shall be

utilized.

NOTE: Failure to comply may result in frustrated cargo and delayed payments. Contractor shall be 

responsible to pay for expenses to remedy non-compliant WPM. UN countries strictly enforce this 

requirement.

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Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

• Cushioning: Four Choices –

• A-A-3129, Type I, Grade B; or

• PPP-C-795, Class 2; or

• A-A-59135, Class 1, Grade B; or

• PPP-C-1797, Type II

• Wrap: use MIL-PRF-81705, Type III

NOTE: Type II is no longer used

• Unit Container (Barrier): MIL-DTL-117, 

Type I, Class F, Style 1 (MIL-PRF81705, Type I, Class 1)

NOTE: Some packaging codes require both bag 

and box to make a unit package. Both containers 

must have the same markings.

Qualified Products List (QPL)

• Type I: Cadillac Products Packaging Co. 

(CADPAK ESD)/EDCO or Covalence Specialty 

Marked: EMI/STATIC SHIELD

• Type III: Caltex Plastics (CP STAT 100M) is the 

only MIL-PRF-81705, Type III qualified 

manufacturer. Marked: STATIC SHIELD

• Beware of non-approved material (see MILPRF-81705 for all require barrier markings)

• Check ASSIST Quick Search for QPLs at: 

http://quicksearch.dla.mil

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Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Cont.

• 39 - ESD Sensitive Device

requirements of MIL-STD-129 apply

ATTENTION:

Required label 

for unit packs

ATTENTION:

Required label 

for exterior and 

intermediate 

containers

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• This item requires DoD Qualified 

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) 

protective packaging materials in 

accordance with MIL-PRF-81705. 

The supplier shall be responsible

for verifying that all MIL-PRF-81705 

barrier materials (or converted 

bags) are supplied from a qualified 

manufacturer currently listed on 

QPL-81705.

• For additional ESD packaging 

information, refer to the following 

DLA packaging web site:

https://www.dla.mil/HQ/LogisticsOperations/P

ackaging/PackFAQs/ESDS/
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

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• Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for Land

• IMO/IMDG for Water

• ICAO/ IATA for Commercial Air

• AFMAN 24-204_IP* for Military Air

• Must be marked and labeled IAW latest MIL-STD-129 in 

addition to required hazardous material markings
• Legislations drove electronics industry toward the use of lead-free (Pb-free)

solders and components with Pb-free 

level termination finishes and materials.

• Unit Package Marking Requirement for Component Lead Finish, Applies.

- Reference: IPC/JEDEC J-STD-609,

Marking and Labeling of Components,

PCBs and PCBAs to Identify Lead 

(Pb), Pb-Free and Other Attributes

- Adopted by DoD on January 9, 2008

• Federal Supply Classes (FSCs): 

5905, 5910, 5945, 5961, and 5962. Required to identify the type of Pb- free and Pb-containing solders

and finishes to components,

assemblies/boards, interconnect 

terminal finishes and materials.

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Lead-Free (E-code) Marking

Requirements
– Not in accordance with MD00100452 Revision C – Requirements for Treatment of Wood Packaging Material 

(WPM) 9/2016)

– WPM (including pallets)is not heat treated and marked in accordance with the heat-treated compliant mark, ISPM 

15

• ESD parts not packaged in compliance with Method of Preservation “GX”

– Not packaged in DoD approved packaging materials by qualified manufacturers

– Missing wrapping or cushioning material (one or the other must be inside the barrier bag)

– Part punctured through barrier bag

– Tape, staples, or rubber bands inside barrier bag

– Barrier bag not sealed

• Marking problems (most documented errors)

– Elements of MIL-STD-129 omitted

– Incorrectly labeled

– Not bar-coded

– Omission of e-code, shelf-life, or lot date code when cited in the contract

• Preservation and Packing non-conformances

– No authorization to substitute ASTM D3951 for military method of preservation (MOP)

– Used Incorrect Method of Preservation (e.g. MOP 31 when MOP 41 called out in contract)

– Container oversized, stacking strength not adequate, damaged shipments

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Report of Discrepancies

Common Types of Non-Compliances:

• Heat-treated wood requirements – all wood products used
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Resources

• Thomas Register: List of “Packaging Houses”

(DLA legally cannot endorse any specific “packaging house”) 

http://www.thomasnet.com/prodsearch.html?cov=NA&which=prod&what=Military+Packaging+

houses&navsec=search

• ASSIST

ASSIST is the official source for specifications and standards used by the Department of Defense 

http://quicksearch.dla.mil

• American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC)

Wood Packaging Material (WPM) – Accredited Agencies 

http://www.alsc.org/WPM_summary_mod.htm

• Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC)

The technical voice of the semiconductor industry 

http://www.jedec.org

• National Institute of Packaging, Handling & Logistics Engineers (NIPHLE)

https://niphle.com

• Video of the Importance of Packaging, Preservation, Labeling and Marking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlwl9GkjO9Q&sns=em
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