Skip to main content

DoD Order Shipping Requirements

DoD Order Shipping Requirements

Section
Managing My GSA Contract
Topic
Contract Compliance
Subtopic
Strategic Partner Delivery (SPD)

All shipments, including parcel delivery, to DoD customers in the Contiguous United States (CONUS) and to customers Outside the Contiguous United States (OCONUS) that are shipped via the DLA transportation network, must adhere to DoD standards on marking, labeling, and packaging shipments, which are published in Military Standard 129R (MIL-STD-129R): Military Marking for Shipment and Storage Standards.
Sections of note in this document include:

  • Identification text marking
  • Address marking
  • Identification bar code marking
  • Special marks and labels

Military Shipping Labels (MSLs)
MSLs and address markings are required on all shipments (including parcel delivery) destined for DoD customers or transported via the DLA transportation network at every packaging level. The following information is required on every MSL:

  • Transportation Control Number (TCN) – Including a linear barcode
  • Transportation Account Code (TAC)
  • Consignor Address - Including vendor Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code
  • Type of Service (Priority)/Postage
  • Ship to Address/Point of Entry (POE)
  • Port of Embarkation
  • Project Code
  • Ultimate Consignee/Mark for Address - Including customer DoDAAC and linear barcode
  • Weight (lbs.)
  • Required Delivery Date (RDD)
  • Cube (ft.)
  • Piece Number
  • MSL 2D (PDF417) Bar code

Please note that different variations of the MSL are required if it is applied at unit and intermediate level, or at the exterior transit pack level, and the different variations require different pieces of information.
This MIL-STD-129R Marking Guide can help you better understand how to label your package in accordance with MIL-STD-129R.

Identification Marking Requirements
In addition to the MSLs, identification marking is required at the unit pack, intermediate pack, and exterior container levels to enable receipt process information and storage process information for accurate stock accounting of vendor sourced material. Unless specifically exempted in the contract or solicitation, the identification marking shall be applied to all DoD and contractor-originated, or vendor-originated , shipments.
Here is the guidance for the identification marking requirements on:

  1. Packing List and Documentation Supply Operational Notice
  2. Required Data Elements and Helpful Resources

In addition, in cooperation with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), GSA is exploring a way to make the Vendor Shipment Module (VSM) available to vendors who wish to automatically create and print a compliant commercial bill of lading, military shipping labels, packing slips address labels and small parcel carrier labels. The VSM system is a web based, front-end application interfaced to the Defense Security Service (DSS) mainframe. It is also capable of full Electronic Data Interface (EDI) integration at the vendor location. Although the EDI version is more complex and may require more programming in order to integrate it into production systems, the payoff includes higher volume shipping capacity and eliminates human intervention in the process.


DLA has posted an informative video that explains the benefits of VSM and how to implement the VSM within your organization. For a "hands-on" experience while watching the video, you are encouraged to attain a DLA VSM account in order to log into DLA VSM. More information regarding the availability of GSA’s rollout of VSM will be forthcoming.

OCONUS Bound Freight – DLA Consolidation and Containerization Points (CCP) Criteria
OCONUS bound freight that is destined for a DoD customer or is being processed via the DLA transportation network may pass through a DLA Consolidation and Containerization Point (CCP). Certain products and shipments, however, are not eligible to go to the DLA CCP. See the CCP’s eligibility criteria (5-2010) for more information, particularly regarding marking and labeling requirements. Also see the CCP Eligibility Criteria Document (6-2008) which covers a much broader range of topics such as commodity codes, HazMat Codes, classified material. etc.
GSA has developed an agreement with DLA to process GSA shipments outside of the CCP eligible shipments through their facilities. Therefore, all GSA shipments for export through the DLA transportation network, will be processed through DLA CCPs for preparation to next nodes of transportation (Ocean Terminals, Aerial Ports, and Intermodal Hubs). The Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Customer / Carrier Advisory (January 15, 2015) CA-15-01/15-0006 provides the latest guidance on shipping through DLA CCPs. In addition, the GSA Freight Routing Guide covers much of the same information from the GSA perspective.

Financial and Air Clearance Transportation System (FACTS) Criteria
All DoD cargo that is offered for air movement through the GSA streamlined high priority process, must be submitted through the FACTS for air clearance. The following links provide additional guidance on FACTS compliance requirements:

Vendor Non-Compliance
All GSA vendors must adhere to General Services Administration Acquisition Manual (GSAM) clause 552.211-73, Marking, which stipulates all deliveries to military activities, including shipments and parcel deliveries that go via the DLA or any DTS Consolidation or forwarding nodes , must be compliant with MIL-STD-129R regulations. Vendor non-compliance with MIL-STD-129R may result in frustrated freight that cannot move to the next transportation node. If GSA is required to resolve frustrated freight or resolve any other discrepancy created by a vendor and/or if GSA incurs any costs or fees because of vendor freight problems, then the vendor may be assessed financial penalties and/or other contractual remedies may be levied.