DOD Supplier Compliance Library
Information for U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Suppliers

Mil-Std 129P Labeling

• Unit and Intermediate Containers
• Exterior Containers
• Military Shipping Label(MSL)
• RFID Tagging
• UID Part Containers
• DoD Resources

DOD Compliance Articles

• WAWF
• Labeling
• RFID
• UID

Exterior Container Marking

Sample Labels
Exterior Container Label	Exterior Container Label with RFID
Exterior Container Label with RFID & UID	Exterior Container Label with Serial Number
Exterior Container Label with Multiple Serial Numbers	Serial Number List

When to Use Exterior Container Markings

Exterior container markings are required on all exterior containers and unpacked items unless specifically exempted in the contract or solicitation. (Mil-Std 129, para 4.1.2 and para 4.44)

• An exterior container is a container, bundle, or assembly that is sufficient by reason of material, design, and construction to protect unit packs and intermediate containers and their contents during shipment and storage. It can be a unit pack or a container with a combination of unit packs or intermediate containers. An exterior container may or may not be used as a shipping container. (Mil-Std 129, para 3.12)
• An unpacked item is an identifiable item that is unencumbered by a tie, wrap, or container. (Mil-Std 129, para 3.20)

Required Exterior Container Markings

Exterior Container Markings consist of both human readable and barcode.

Human readable information should be (in order listed)(Mil-Std 129, para 4.1.2):

• National Stock Number (NSN) or NATO stock number with dashes or spaces and any prefixes or suffixes. If no NSN is assigned, then this line may be omitted.
• CAGE of the Prime Contractor.
• Part Number from the contract or order must be used if one is cited. Otherwise the prime contractor part number may be used or part number can be left blank.
• Quantity and Unit of Issue.
• Contract number or purchase order number with dashes, i.e., DAAB07-96-C-1234.
• Military preservation method and date of unit preservation. If a military preservation method doesn’t apply, the method space will be left blank. If a preservation date doesn’t apply, the pack date will be shown.
• Gross Weight.
• Shelf Life markings, as appropriate. (Mil-Std 129, para 5.2.1)
• Serial Number, if assigned.

Barcode information is also required. For shipments that include UII items, a single barcode is required. For shipments that do not include UII items, the barcodes should be (Mil-Std 129, para 4.4.1.2):

• NSN/NATO stock number (without dashes, spaces, prefix or suffix unless other specified in contract), if one is assigned.
• Contract or Order Number.
• CAGE of the Prime Contractor.
• CLIN (when used).
• Contract Shipment Number.
• Serial Number(s).

Other Markings

• When appropriate, you must also apply Ammunition and Explosive Markings and Hazardous Material Markings.
• Exterior container markings vary slightly for Multipacks.
• Barcode markings are different for shipments of UII items.
• When specified in the contract, RFID Tagging is also required.