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Appendix A. Tables 

Table 1-1. Agencies Responsible for Package Regulations and Applicable Requirements

Commodity Responsible Agency NIST Handbook 133 

Sampling Plans

Table of Maximum 

Allowable Variations

Meat, Poultry, and 

Siluriformes*

*Siluriformes include, 

but are not limited to, 

“catfish” (fish of the 

family lctaluridae) and 

“basa” and “swai” (fish 

of the family 

Pangasiidae).

U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Food Safety 

and Inspection Service and 

state and local weights and 

measures.

www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/

Use Table 2-1.

Sampling Plans for 

Category A to test packages 

at other than point of pack.

Use Table 2-2. Sampling 

Plans for Category B to test 

packages in federally 

inspected meat and poultry 

plants.

Table 2-9. U.S. 

Department of 

Agriculture, Meat,

Poultry, and 

Siluriformes Groups 

and Lower Limits for 

Individual Packages

Foods, drugs, and 

cosmetics subject to the 

Food, Drug, and 

Cosmetic Act including 

those packaged at the 

retail store level that 

have been in interstate 

commerce (e.g., seafood) 

or those made with 

ingredients that have 

been in interstate 

commerce and beer made 

from substitutes for 

malted barley (e.g., 

sorghum, rice, or wheat) 

and wine beverages with 

an alcohol content of less 

than 7 % by volume

U.S. Food and Drug 

Administration and state 

and local weights and 

measures

www.fda.gov

Use Table 2-1. Sampling 

Plans for Category A to test 

packages at all locations.

Table 2-5. MAVs for 

Packages Labeled by 

Weight

Table 2-6. MAVs for 

Packages Labeled by 

Liquid or Dry Volume

Table 2-7. MAVs for 

Packages Labeled by 

Count

Table 2-8. MAVs for 

Packages Labeled by 

Length (Width) or Area Tobacco U.S. Food and Drug 

Administration and local 

weights and measures

www.fda.gov

Table 1-1. Continued on next page
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Table 1-1. Agencies Responsible for Package Regulations and Applicable Requirements

Commodity Responsible Agency NIST Handbook 133 

Sampling Plans

Table of Maximum 

Allowable Variations

Food products not

subject to the Federal 

Food, Drug, and 

Cosmetic Act, including 

meat and poultry 

products packaged at the 

retail store level

State and local weights and 

measures

www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/

Table 2-10. Exceptions 

to the MAVs for 

Textiles, Polyethylene 

Sheeting and Film, 

Mulch and Soil Labeled 

by Volume, Packaged 

Firewood and Stove 

Wood Labeled by 

Volume, and Packages 

Labeled by Count with 

50 Items or Fewer, and 

Specific Agricultural 

Seeds Labeled by Count

Non-food Consumer 

Products

Federal Trade Commission

www.ftc.gov

Non-food Consumer and 

Non-consumer Products

State and local weights and 

measures

www.nist.gov/pml/weights

-andmeasures/resources/statedirectors-c

Alcohol Products, except 

for beer made from 

substitutes for malted 

barley (e.g., sorghum, 

rice, or wheat) and wine 

beverages with an 

alcohol content of less 

than 7 % by volume, 

which are regulated by 

FDA

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax 

and Trade Bureau. State 

and local weights and 

measures

www.ttb.gov

Pesticides

(Refer to Section 1.4.1. 

“Net Quantity of 

Contents Compliance 

Requirements for 

Pesticides Labeled with 

Minimum Net Quantity 

of Contents 

Declarations.”)

U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency and state 

and local weights and 

measures

www.epa.gov

(Amended 2018)
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Table 2-1. Sampling Plans for Category A

1 2 3 4 5 6

Inspection Lot

Size

Sample

Size

Sample 

Correction

Factor

Number of 

Minus Package 

Errors Allowed 

to Exceed the 

MAV1

Initial Tare Sample Size2

Glass and 

Aerosol 

Packages

All Other 

Packages

1 1 Apply MAV

01 2 2

2 2 8.985

3 3 2.484

4 4 1.591

5 5 1.242

6 6 1.049

7 7 0.925

8 8 0.836

9 9 0.769

10 10 0.715

11 11 0.672

12 to 250 12 0.635

251 to 3 200 24 0.422

3

More than 3 200 48 0.290 11

1

For mulch and soils packaged by volume see Table 2-10. Exceptions to the Maximum Allowable 

Variations – 1 package may exceed the MAV for every 12 packages in the sample.

2

If sample size is 11 or fewer, the initial tare sample size and the total tare sample size is 2 samples.

Table 2-2. Sampling Plans for Category B

(for Use in USDA-Inspected Meat and Poultry Plants Only)

1 2 3 4

Inspection Lot Size Sample Size Initial Tare Sample 

Size

Number of Packages 

Allowed to Exceed the 

MAVs in Table 2-9

250 or Fewer 10 2

0

251 or More 30 5
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Table 2-3. Category A

Total Number of Packages in Tare Sample

Note: Total number of packages to be opened for tare determination. 

Numbers include those packages opened for initial tare sample.

Sample Size 12 24 48

Initial Tare Sample Size 2 2 3 2 3

Ratio of Rc/Rt

If range of tare equals “zero,” use 

Initial Tare Sample Size.

If the ratio is “zero” based on a 

“zero” range of package error, 

open all of the packages in the 

sample.

2 2 3 2 3

If the ratio is greater than 0 but 

less than or equal to 0.2 12 24 24 48 48

0.21 to 0.60 12 24 24 48 48

0.61 to 0.70 12 24 24 47 47

0.71 to 0.80 12 23 23 47 47

0.81 to 1.00 12 23 23 46 46

1.01 to 1.10 11 23 23 46 46

1.11 to 1.20 11 23 23 45 45

1.21 to 1.30 11 22 22 45 45

1.31 to 1.50 11 22 22 44 44

1.51 to 1.60 11 22 22 43 43

1.61 to 1.70 11 21 21 42 42

1.71 to 1.80 10 21 21 42 42

1.81 to 1.90 10 21 21 41 41

1.91 to 2.00 10 20 20 41 41

2.01 to 2.10 10 20 20 40 40

2.11 to 2.20 10 20 20 39 39

2.21 to 2.30 10 19 19 39 39

2.31 to 2.40 9 19 19 38 38

2.41 to 2.50 9 19 19 37 37

2.51 to 2.60 9 18 18 37 37

2.61 to 2.70 9 18 18 36 36

2.71 to 2.80 9 18 18 35 35

2.81 to 2.90 9 17 17 34 34
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Table 2-3. Category A

Total Number of Packages in Tare Sample

Note: Total number of packages to be opened for tare determination. 

Numbers include those packages opened for initial tare sample.

Sample Size 12 24 48

Initial Tare Sample Size 2 2 3 2 3

Ratio of Rc/Rt

2.91 to 3.00 8 17 17 34 34

3.01 to 3.10 8 17 17 33 33

3.11 to 3.30 8 16 16 32 32

3.31 to 3.40 8 16 16 31 31

3.41 to 3.50 8 15 15 30 30

3.51 to 3.60 7 15 15 30 30

3.61 to 3.70 7 15 15 29 29

3.71 to 3.90 7 14 14 28 28

3.91 to 4.00 7 14 14 27 27

4.01 to 4.10 7 13 13 27 27

4.11 to 4.20 7 13 13 26 26

4.21 to 4.30 6 13 13 25 25

4.31 to 4.40 6 12 12 25 25

4.41 to 4.60 6 12 12 24 24

4.61 to 4.70 6 12 12 23 23

4.71 to 4.80 6 11 11 23 23

4.81 to 4.90 6 11 11 22 22

4.91 to 5.00 5 11 11 22 22

5.01 to 5.10 5 11 11 21 21

5.01 to 5.10 5 11 11 21 21

5.11 to 5.20 5 10 10 21 21

5.21 to 5.40 5 10 10 20 20

5.41 to 5.60 5 10 10 19 19

5.61 to 5.70 5 9 9 19 19

5.71 to 5.80 5 9 9 18 18

5.81 to 5.90 4 9 9 18 18
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Table 2-3. Category A

Total Number of Packages in Tare Sample

Note: Total number of packages to be opened for tare determination. 

Numbers include those packages opened for initial tare sample.

Sample Size 12 24 48

Initial Tare Sample Size 2 2 3 2 3

Ratio of Rc/Rt

5.91 to 6.10 4 9 9 17 17

6.11 to 6.20 4 8 8 17 17

6.21 to 6.50 4 8 8 16 16

6.51 to 6.70 4 8 8 15 15

6.71 to 6.80 4 7 7 15 15

6.81 to 7.00 4 7 7 14 14

7.01 to 7.20 3 7 7 14 14

7.21 to 7.40 3 7 7 13 13

7.41 to 7.60 3 6 6 13 13

7.61 to 8.00 3 6 6 12 12

8.01 to 8.20 3 6 6 11 11

8.21 to 8.50 3 5 5 11 11

8.51 to 8.80 3 5 5 10 10

8.81 to 9.00 2 5 5 10 10

9.01 to 9.30 2 5 5 9 9

9.31 to 9.70 2 4 4 9 9

9.71 to 10.40 2 4 4 8 8

10.41 to 10.90 2 4 4 7 7

10.91 to 11.30 2 3 3 7 7

11.31 to 12.50 2 3 3 6 6

12.51 to 13.20 2 3 3 5 5

13.21 to 13.90 2 2 3 5 5

13.91 to 16.00 2 2 3 4 4

16.01 to 19.10 2 2 3 3 3

19.11 to 19.20 2 2 3 2 3

Initial Tare Sample Size 2 2 3 2 3
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Table 2-4. Category B

Total Number of Packages in Tare Sample

Note: Total number of packages to be opened for tare determination. 

Numbers include those packages opened for initial tare sample.

Sample Size 10 30

Initial Tare Sample Size 2 5

Ratio of Rc/Rt

If the ratio is zero, based on a 

“zero” range of tare, use Initial 

Tare Sample Size.

If the ratio is “zero” based on a 

“zero” range of package errors, 

open all the packages in the 

sample.

2 5

If the ratio is greater than 0 but 

less than or equal to 0.2 10 30

0.21 to 0.40 10 29

0.41 to 0.60 10 28

0.61 to 0.80 9 26

0.81 to 1.00 8 24

1.01 to 1.20 8 23

1.21 to 1.40 7 21

1.41 to 1.60 7 19

1.61 to 1.80 6 17

1.81 to 2.00 5 15

2.01 to 2.20 5 14

2.21 to 2.40 5 13

2.41 to 2.60 4 12

2.61 to 2.80 4 11

2.81 to 3.00 4 10

3.01 to 3.20 3 9

3.21 to 3.60 3 8

3.61 to 3.80 3 7

3.81 to 4.40 2 6

If the ratio is greater than 4.40, 

use the Initial Tare Sample Size 2 5
Appendix A. Tables Handbook 133 – 2023

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Table 2-5. Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs) for Packages Labeled by Weight

Do Not Use this Table for Meat and Poultry Products Subject to USDA Regulations – Use Table 2-9.

For Polyethylene Sheeting and Film, see Table 2-10. Exceptions to the MAVs.

Labeled Quantity Maximum Allowable Variations

Less than 36 g, 0.08 lb, or 1.28 oz 10 % of labeled quantity

36 g or more to 54 g

0.08 lb or more to 0.12 lb

1.28 oz or more to 1.92 oz

3.6 g

0.008 lb

1

/8 oz

More than 54 g to 81 g

More than 0.12 lb to 0.18 lb

More than 1.92 oz to 2.88 oz

5.4 g

0.012 lb

3

/16 oz

More than 81 g to 117 g

More than 0.18 lb to 0.26 lb

More than 2.88 oz to 4.16 oz

7.2 g

0.016 lb

1⁄4 oz

More than 117 g to 154 g

More than 0.26 lb to 0.34 lb

More than 4.16 oz to 5.44 oz

9.0 g

0.020 lb

5

/16 oz

More than 154 g to 208 g

More than 0.34 lb to 0.46 lb

More than 5.44 oz to 7.36 oz

10.8 g

0.024 lb

3

/8 oz

More than 208 g to 263 g

More than 0.46 lb to 0.58 lb

More than 7.36 oz to 9.28 oz

12.7 g

0.028 lb

7

/16 oz

More than 263 g to 317 g

More than 0.58 lb to 0.70 lb

More than 9.28 oz to 11.20 oz

14.5 g

0.032 lb

1

/2 oz

More than 317 g to 381 g

More than 0.70 lb to 0.84 lb

More than 11.20 oz to 13.44 oz

16.3 g

0.036 lb

9

/16 oz

More than 381 g to 426 g

More than 0.84 lb to 0.94 lb

More than 13.44 oz to 15.04 oz

18.1 g

0.040 lb

5

/8 oz

More than 426 g to 489 g

More than 0.94 lb to 1.08 lb

More than 15.04 oz to 17.28 oz

19.9 g

0.044 lb

11/16 oz

More than 489 g to 571 g

More than 1.08 lb to 1.26 lb

21.7 g

0.048 lb

More than 571 g to 635 g

More than 1.26 lb to 1.40 lb

23.5 g

0.052 lb

More than 635 g to 698 g

More than 1.40 lb to 1.54 lb

25.4 g

0.056 lb
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Table 2-5. Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs) for Packages Labeled by Weight

Do Not Use this Table for Meat and Poultry Products Subject to USDA Regulations – Use Table 2-9.

For Polyethylene Sheeting and Film, see Table 2-10. Exceptions to the MAVs.

Labeled Quantity Maximum Allowable Variations

More than 698 g to 771 g

More than 1.54 lb to 1.70 lb

27.2 g

0.060 lb

More than 771 g to 852 g

More than 1.70 lb to 1.88 lb

29.0 g

0.064 lb

More than 852 g to 970 g

More than 1.88 lb to 2.14 lb

31.7 g

0.070 lb

More than 970 g to 1.12 kg

More than 2.14 lb to 2.48 lb

35.3 g

0.078 lb

More than 1.12 kg to 1.25 kg

More than 2.48 lb to 2.76 lb

39.0 g

0.086 lb

More than 1.25 kg to 1.45 kg

More than 2.76 lb to 3.20 lb

42.6 g

0.094 lb

More than 1.45 kg to 1.76 kg

More than 3.20 lb to 3.90 lb

49 g

0.11 lb

More than 1.76 kg to 2.13 kg

More than 3.90 lb to 4.70 lb

54 g

0.12 lb

More than 2.13 kg to 2.63 kg

More than 4.70 lb to 5.80 lb

63 g

0.14 lb

More than 2.63 kg to 3.08 kg

More than 5.80 lb to 6.80 lb

68 g

0.15 lb

More than 3.08 kg to 3.58 kg

More than 6.80 lb to 7.90 lb

77 g

0.17 lb

More than 3.58 kg to 4.26 kg

More than 7.90 lb to 9.40 lb

86 g

0.19 lb

More than 4.26 kg to 5.30 kg

More than 9.40 lb to 11.70 lb

99 g

0.22 lb

More than 5.30 kg to 6.48 kg

More than 11.70 lb to 14.30 lb

113 g

0.25 lb

More than 6.48 kg to 8.02 kg

More than 14.30 lb to 17.70 lb

127 g

0.28 lb

More than 8.02 kg to 10.52 kg

More than 17.70 lb to 23.20 lb

140 g

0.31 lb

More than 10.52 kg to 14.33 kg

More than 23.20 lb to 31.60 lb

167 g

0.37 lb

More than 14.33 kg to 19.23 kg

More than 31.60 lb to 42.40 lb

199 g

0.44 lb
Appendix A. Tables Handbook 133 – 2023

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Table 2-5. Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs) for Packages Labeled by Weight

Do Not Use this Table for Meat and Poultry Products Subject to USDA Regulations – Use Table 2-9.

For Polyethylene Sheeting and Film, see Table 2-10. Exceptions to the MAVs.

Labeled Quantity Maximum Allowable Variations

More than 19.23 kg to 24.67 kg

More than 42.40 lb to 54.40 lb

226 g

0.50 lb

More than 24.67 kg

More than 54.40 lb 2 % of labeled quantity

(Amended 2004)

Table 2-6. Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs) for Packages Labeled by 

Liquid and Dry Volume

Do Not Use this Table for Meat and Poultry Products Subject to USDA Regulations.

For Mulch, see Table 2-10. Exceptions to the Maximum Allowable Variations,

Use Table 2-9 for USDA –Regulated Products.

Labeled Quantity Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs)

3 mL or less

0.50 fl oz or less

0.18 in3 or less

0.5 mL

0.02 fl oz

0.03 in3

More than 3 mL to 8 mL

More than 0.18 in3 to 0.49 in3

1.0 mL

0.06 in3

More than 8 mL to 14 mL

More than 0.49 in3 to 0.92 in3

1.5 mL

0.09 in3

More than 14 mL to 22 mL

More than 0.50 fl oz to 0.75 fl oz

More than 0.92 in3 to 1.35 in3

1.7 mL

0.06 fl oz

0.10 in3

More than 22 mL to 66 mL

More than 0.75 fl oz to 2.25 fl oz

More than 1.35 in3 to 4.06 in3

3.8 mL

0.13 fl oz

0.23 in3

More than 66 mL to 125 mL

More than 2.25 fl oz to 4.25 fl oz

More than 4.06 in3 to 7.66 in3

5.6 mL

0.19 fl oz

0.34 in3

More than 125 mL to 170 mL

More than 4.25 fl oz to 5.75 fl oz

More than 7.66 in3 to 10.37 in3

7.3 mL

0.25 fl oz

0.45 in3

More than 170 mL to 221 mL

More than 5.75 fl oz to 7.50 fl oz

More than 10.37 in3 to 13.53 in3

9.1 mL

0.31 fl oz

0.55 in3

More than 221 mL to 347 mL

More than 7.50 fl oz to 11.75 fl oz

More than 13.53 in3 to 21.20 in3

11.2 mL

0.38 fl oz

0.68 in3
Handbook 133 – 2023 Appendix A. Tables

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Table 2-6. Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs) for Packages Labeled by 

Liquid and Dry Volume

Do Not Use this Table for Meat and Poultry Products Subject to USDA Regulations.

For Mulch, see Table 2-10. Exceptions to the Maximum Allowable Variations,

Use Table 2-9 for USDA –Regulated Products.

Labeled Quantity Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs)

More than 347 mL to 502 mL

More than 11.75 fl oz to 17.00 fl oz

More than 21.20 in3 to 30.67 in3

14.7 mL

0.5 fl oz

0.90 in3

More than 502 mL to 621 mL

More than 17 fl oz to 21 fl oz

More than 30.67 in3 to 37.89 in3

18.6 mL

0.63 fl oz

1.13 in3

More than 621 mL to 798 mL

More than 21 fl oz to 27 fl oz

More than 37.89 in3 to 48.72 in3

22.1 mL

0.75 fl oz

1.35 in3

More than 798 mL to 916 mL

More than 27 fl oz to 31 fl oz

More than 48.72 in3 to 55.94 in3

26.0 mL

0.88 fl oz

1.58 in3

More than 916 mL to 1.15 L

More than 31 fl oz to 39 fl oz

More than 55.94 in3 to 70.38 in3

29 mL

1 fl oz

1.80 in3

More than 1.15 L to 1.62 L

More than 39 fl oz to 55 fl oz

More than 70.38 in3 to 99.25 in3

36 mL

1.25 fl oz

2.25 in3

More than 1.62 L to 2.04 L

More than 55 fl oz to 69 fl oz

More than 99.25 in3 to 124.5 in3

44 mL

1.5 fl oz

2.70 in3

More than 2.04 L to 2.51 L

More than 69 fl oz to 85 fl oz

More than 124.5 in3 to 153.3 in3

51 mL

1.75 fl oz

3.1 in3

More than 2.51 L to 3.04 L

More than 85 fl oz to 103 fl oz

More than 153.3 in3 to 185.8 in3

59 mL

2 fl oz

3.6 in3

More than 3.04 L to 4.73 L

More than 103 fl oz to 160 fl oz

More than 185.8 in3 to 288.7 in3

73 mL

2.5 fl oz

4.5 in3

More than 4.73 L to 5.48 L

More than 160 fl oz to 185.6 fl oz

More than 288.7 in3 to 334.9 in3

88 mL

3 fl oz

5.4 in3

More than 5.48 L to 7.09 L

More than 185.6 fl oz to 240 fl oz

More than 334.9 in3 to 443.1 in3

103 mL

3.5 fl oz

6.3 in3
Appendix A. Tables Handbook 133 – 2023

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Table 2-6. Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs) for Packages Labeled by 

Liquid and Dry Volume

Do Not Use this Table for Meat and Poultry Products Subject to USDA Regulations.

For Mulch, see Table 2-10. Exceptions to the Maximum Allowable Variations,

Use Table 2-9 for USDA –Regulated Products.

Labeled Quantity Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs)

More than 7.09 L to 8.04 L

More than 240 fl oz to 272 fl oz

More than 443.1 in3 to 490.8 in3

118 mL

4 fl oz

7.2 in3

More than 8.04 L to 10.17 L

More than 272 fl oz to 344 fl oz

More than 490.8 in3 to 620.8 in3

133 mL

4.5 fl oz

8.1 in3

More than 10.17 L to 11.59 L

More than 344 fl oz to 392 fl oz

More than 620.8 in3 to 707.4 in3

147 mL

5 fl oz

9.0 in3

More than 11.59 L to 16.56 L

More than 392 fl oz to 560 fl oz

More than 707.4 in3 to 1 010 in3

177 mL

6 fl oz

10.8 in3

More than 16.56 L to 18.92 L

More than 560 fl oz to 640 fl oz (5 gal)

More than 1 010 in3 into 1 155 in3

207 mL

7 fl oz

12.6 in3

More than 18.92 L to 23.65 L

More than 640 fl oz to 800 fl oz

More than 1 155 in3 to 1 443 in3

236 mL

8 fl oz

14.4 in3

More than 23.65 L to 26.73 L

More than 800 fl oz to 904 fl oz

More than 1 443 in3 to 1 631 in3

266 mL

9 fl oz

16.2 in3

More than 26.73 L

More than 904 fl oz

More than 1 631 in3

1 % of labeled quantity

(Amended 2004)
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Table 2-7. Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs) for Packages Labeled by Count

Labeled Quantity Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs)

17 or less 0

18 to 50 1

51 to 83 2

84 to 116 3

117 to 150 4

151 to 200 5

201 to 240 6

241 to 290 7

291 to 345 8

346 to 400 9

401 to 465 10

466 to 540 11

541 to 625 12

626 to 725 13

726 to 815 14

816 to 900 15

901 to 990 16

991 to 1075 17

1076 to 1165 18

1166 to 1250 19

1251 to 1333 20

1334 or more 1.5 % of labeled count rounded off to the 

nearest whole number
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Table 2-8. Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs) for Packages 

Labeled by Length, Width, or Area

(For Textiles, Polyethylene Sheeting and Film – Use Table 2-10. Exceptions to the MAVs)

Labeled Quantity Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs)

of Labeled Quantity

1 m or less

1 yd or less 3 % 

More than 1 m to 43 m 

More than 1 yd to 48 yd 1.5 % 

More than 43 m to 87 m

More than 48 yd to 96 yd 2 % 

More than 87 m to 140 m

More than 96 yd to 154 yd 2.5 % 

More than 140 m to 301 m

More than 154 yd to 330 yd 3 % 

More than 301 m to 1 005 m

More than 330 yd to 1 100 yd 4 % 

More than 1 005 m or 1 100 yd 5 % 

Maximum Allowable Variations (MAV) for Packages Labeled by Area

The MAV for packages labeled by area is 3 % of labeled quantity.

(Amended 2004)
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Table 2-9. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Meat, Poultry, and Siluriformes Groups and Lower 

Limits for Individual Packages (Maximum Allowable Variations [MAVs])

Definition of Group and Labeled Quantity

Lower Limit for Individual Weights 

(MAVs)

Homogenous Fluid

When Filled

(e.g., baby food or 

containers of lard)

All Other Products

Less than 85 g or 3 oz 10 % of labeled quantity

85 g or more to 453 g

3 oz or more to 16 oz

7.1 g

0.016 lb (0.25 oz)

More than 453 g

More than 16 oz

85 g or more to 198 g

3 oz to 7 oz

14.2 g

0.031 lb (0.5 oz)

More than 198 g to 1.36 kg

7 oz to 48 oz

28.3 g

0.062 lb (1 oz)

More than 1.36 kg to 4.53 kg

More than 48 oz to 160 oz

42.5 g

0.094 lb (1.5 oz)

More than 4.53 kg

More than 160 oz 1 % of labeled quantity

(Amended 2018)
Appendix A. Tables Handbook 133 – 2023

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3-2023

Table 2-10. Exceptions to the Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs) for Textiles, Polyethylene 

Sheeting and Film, Mulch and Soil Labeled by Volume, Packaged Firewood and Stove Wood 

Labeled by Volume, and Packages Labeled by Count with 50 Items or 

Fewer, and Specific Agricultural Seeds Labeled by Count.

Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs)

Polyethylene Sheeting and Film

Thickness

When the labeled thickness is 25 μm (1 mil or 0.001 in) or less, 

any individual thickness measurement of polyethylene film may 

be up to 35 % below the labeled thickness.

When the labeled thickness is greater than 25 μm (1 mil or 

0.001 in), individual thickness measurements of polyethylene 

sheeting may be up to 20 % less than the labeled thickness.

The average thickness of a single package of polyethylene 

sheeting may be up to 4 % less than the labeled thickness.

Weight

The MAV for individual packages of polyethylene sheeting and 

film shall be 4 % of the labeled quantity.

Textiles

The MAVs are:

For packages labeled with dimensions of 60 cm (24 in) or more:

3 % of the labeled quantity for negative errors; and 

6 % of the labeled quantity for plus errors.

For packages labeled with dimensions less than 60 cm (24 in):

6 % of the labeled quantity for negative errors; and 

12 % for plus errors.

Mulch And Soil Labeled By Volume

The MAVs are:

For individual packages: 5 % of the labeled volume.

For samples: One package may exceed the MAV for every 

12 packages in the sample (e.g., when the sample size is 12 or 

fewer, 1 package may exceed the MAV and when the sample 

size is 48 packages, 4 packages may exceed the MAV).
Handbook 133 – 2023 Appendix A. Tables

171

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3-2023

Table 2-10. Exceptions to the Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs) for Textiles, Polyethylene 

Sheeting and Film, Mulch and Soil Labeled by Volume, Packaged Firewood and Stove Wood 

Labeled by Volume, and Packages Labeled by Count with 50 Items or 

Fewer, and Specific Agricultural Seeds Labeled by Count.

Maximum Allowable Variations (MAVs)

Packaged Firewood and Stove Wood 

Labeled by Volume

20 % of labeled quantity

Note: Use Table 2-5 “Maximum Allowable Variations for 

Packages Labeled by Weight” for packaged artificial and 

compressed fireplace logs and stove wood pellets and chips 

labeled by weight.

Specific Agricultural

Seeds Labeled

By Count

The MAVS are:

For corn seed: 2 % of the labeled count

For soybean seed: 4 % of the labeled count

For field bean seed: 5 % of the labeled count

For wheat seed: 3 % of the labeled count

Animal Bedding 5 % of the labeled volume

(Amended 2010 and 2016)
Appendix A. Tables Handbook 133 – 2023

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Table 2-11. Sampling Plans and Accuracy Requirements for Packages Labeled by Low Count 

(50 or Fewer) and Packages Given Tolerances (Glass and Stemware)

1 2 3

Inspection Lot

Size

Sample 

Size

For Packages 

Labeled by Low 

Count

(50 or Fewer)

For Packages Given Tolerances

(Glasses and Stemware)

Number of 

Packages Allowed 

to Contain Less 

than the Labeled 

Count

Number of Package Errors that May Exceed 

the Allowable Difference

1 – 11 1-11 1 0

12 – 250 12 1 0

251 – 3200 24 2 1

More than 3200 48 3 2

(Amended 2004)