This MIL-STD-129P standard is used for shipping containers carrying military items. It has been approved to be used by the Department of defense and all other agencies. Basically this standard is used for maintaining uniformity while marking military equipment and supplies that are transported through ships. Marking is very important for easy identification of the items that are transported. When a particular stock goes short of the balance level; the marking helps the military personnel to fill the requisition.

Based on the requirement standard of MIL-STD-129, containers can be categorized into 3 types. Like Unit containers, Intermediate containers and Exterior containers. Basic format like national stock number (NSN), part number, item description, part number are mandatory for all type of containers. Only for Exterior containers certain additional labels are required like serial number barcode, military shipment level (MSL), Direct-vendor delivery level (DVD)

On 19th September 2007, changes have been made to the old MIL-STD-129P (3) and the new standard is known as MIL-STD-129P (4). For exterior containers this new change standard set two barcodes along with the earlier ones. So now Shipment Numbers (SN) and The Contract Line Item (CLIN) are mandatory to be bar-coded along with the NSN, Contract and CAGE.

Though linear serial number will remain, but an additional 2 dimensional serial number symbol representing the bar code symbol will need to be appeared on each item. When Serial numbers are assigned it should be in ?SER NO? format. There should be spaces or dashes in NSN. The description of items should be exactly that are present in the contract. There is also an option to include Contract No which should be a four digit number.

Though certain changes that are done in the new MIL-STD-129P are in conflict with the earlier MIL-STD-129 standards, every attempt has been made to take care of any unforeseen situation that may arise.