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MIL-STD-11811A
5 Janua 1978
SUPERSEb INC
MIL-STD-1188
1 September t 977
MIUTARY STANDARD

COMMERCIAL PACKAGING OF SUPPUES AND EQUIPMENT

This Military Standard Is approved for use by all Depart­

1. SCOPE. ThIs standard establishes minimum commercial preservation, packing and marking .
requirements for supplies and equipment, exclusive of ammunition, explosives and hazardous
materials.

2. REQUIREMENTS.

2.1 General. Subject to the limitations set forth below. commercial preservation. packing
and marking Is acceptable for the procurement. Bulk preservation. packing. and marking
such as Is used In Interplant and Intrap.lant shipments. and for shipment to packaging Jobbers
and part distribution outlets for preservation and packing Is not acceptable. This standard
neither requires nor precludes the use of Federal or military methods or materials.

2.2 Packaging. Preservation. packing and marking furnished by the supplier shall meet
or exceed the following minimum requirements.

2.2.1 Cleanliness. Items shaJlbe free from dirt and contaminants which would contribute
to deterioration of the Item or which would require cleaning by the customer prior to use.
Coatings and preservatives. applied to the Item for protection are not considered contaminants.

2.2.2 Preservative. Items susceptible to corrosion or deterioration shall be provided

2.2.3 Cushioning. Items requiring protection from physical and mechanical damage or
which are fragile In nature shall be protected by wrapping. cushioning, pack c:ompartmentlza­
tlon, cartonlzlng, or other means to mitigate shock and vibration during handling and shipment.

2.2." Unit pack quantity. Unless otherwise specified, the unit quantity Shall not exceed
50 pieces or 25 pounds whichever occurs first. Single Items weighing over 10 pounds shall be
Individually packaged. Items with unit quantities specified by measurement of weight. length.
or volume shall be packaged as specified In the contract. Intermediate packing of unit packs
Is not required but Is acceptable.

2.2.5 Packaging of kits and sets. Components shall be suitably segregated and Identified
within the unit pack. Kits and sets shall be Individually packaged In accordance with the .
applicable requirements of this standard. Each shall Include a content listing.

2.2.6 Packing. Unit packs shall be packed In exterior shipping containers tNt meet
common carrier acceptance and provide safe delivery to destination at lowest rates. Unit
packs which conform to these requirements need no supplemental protection.

2.2.7 Marking. Unless otherwise speclfled, unit, Intermediate (when provided) and
exterior packs shall. as a minimum, be marked as t»Uows by any means which provides
legibility and durability:

•• National Stock Number (NSN) or part number when NSN Is not available.

FSC PACK
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MIL-STD-118SA
5 January 1978

b. Noun nomenclature.

c. Quantity and unit of Issue.

d. Contract. purchase order or delivery ordar number.

e. AddlUonal markings as may be required by the ClOI'Itract.

f. Exterior shIpping con.'ners shall be marked with the appropriate address and caution
marking except fOr full carloads or full truckloads III a single CONUS consignee. .

g. One copy of the shipping documents and contract or order documentation shall be
attached to the oulSlde In an envelope or placed Inslda the container.

NOTE: Contractors are encouraged to use advanced packaging technology, and Innovative
methods or materials for the purpose of effecting packaging economieS.

2.3 Alternate requirements.

2.3.1 When specified In the contract by reference to this paragraph. the supplier's ·off­
the-sheiP or ·over-the-CII)W1ter· packaging will be ac:ceptable. This protection Is Intended
for Items which will not enter the military distribution system but will be consumed.t,the first
receiving activity. The exterior (shipping) containers shall be In accordance with applicable
'cwrier rules IIllnsUR safe dallvery. '

2.3.2 When specified In the contract by reference III this paragraph, the supplier shall
furnish the packaging which is known to and approved by the contracting officer and conforms
to one 01 the following criteria:

a. The known and established preservation and packing procedures of the supplier.

b. The supplier's procedures for P."otection of the Item (s) meet or exceed the requirements
of this standard (excluding 2.3.1 above).

c. Acceptability Is due to the Industry standard(s) for the specific ltem(s) or com~lty
group(s).

NOTE: For DOD activities. this standard may be used In lieu of FED. STD. No. 356, which
Is scheduled for deletion from the federallndax.

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