Packing Instructions

The purpose of this guideline is to suggest improved packaging practices to better protect supplies and equipment from damage in transit to and residing at General Dynamics NASSCO warehouses and shipyard. These practices are not contractual. They address generic packing methodologies for safe handling of the product, safety of the people handling packaged items, and storage periods for a minimum of 1 year in enclosed facilities without damage to the supplies and equipment. For further general guidance, refer to ASTM Designation: D 3951 – 95 (by Reference). Please also refer to Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations for packaging requirements excluding hazardous materials, explosives, or ammunition.

Transportation of Cargo: The proper blocking and bracing of crates, pallets and skidded items into a cargo container for transport is paramount to the product arriving in a safe condition. The packaged freight should be blocked, braced and strapped to prevent movement in 3 different directions: laterally (side to side), longitudinally (end to end) and vertically (up and down). The use of wood blocking, metal banding, buttress blocking and dunnage bags to secure the freight inside the container is required.

Container Markings: Markings must include the name and address of both consignee and consignor, as well as any other relevant precautionary markings. Containers should clearly identify the dimensions, gross weight, if significantly off –balance, mark center of gravity, and lifting points. All markings signifying contents of the package should be apparent and durable. In addition, Wood packing material (WPM) falling under IPPC requirements must be “ISMP-15” compliant and bear a visible IPPC stamp or marking on the exterior.

Crates, Boxes, Pallets and Skids: To ensure longer lasting durability, it is preferable that crates are held together by the use of screws and bolts. There should be a minimum of 2” clearing space within the crate. Enclosed products must be easily accessible for inspection, removal, storage, and maintenance.

Base: The base of the Crate, Skid, or Pallet should extend by a minimum of 2’’ to 3’’ on each side beyond the widest packaged equipment. At no time shall the materials or equipment extend beyond the base. The major factor in determining the base design is the weight of the item. There must be a minimum of 6” dunnage under all units transported without a base.

All pallets should have stringers and clearly marked strapping points.

Securing: Items need to be prevented from movement in 3 different directions: laterally (side to side), longitudinally (end to end) and vertically (up and down).

Cushioning: To protect against shock and vibration, where mechanical items could move within the crate, cushioning is required.

Securing/cushioning methods:

- - Blocking and Bracing: Adding wooden blocks to the inside of the container to stop movement.
  - Foam and Confinement: The process of encasing an item in a cavity with foam by lining the interior of the container.
  - Bolting and Lagging: Using threaded hardware to secure an item through its mounting brackets or the base of the container.
  - Banding or Bridging: The process of using metal or plastic bands and wooden bridges over the top to secure the load to the base of the container.
  - Cushioning using bubble wrap, dunnage bags, or foam is acceptable.
  - Peanuts, straw, and newspaper are NOT permitted.
  - Equipment with sheet metal casing (switchboards, etc.,) must have corner protection to avoid damage from strapping.
  - Multiple boxes on pallets should be shrink-wrapped, individually marked and banded to the pallet.
  - Exposed knobs, handles, and switches should be protected from accidental damage. However, protection must be easily removed and capable of re-installation. Foam protection should be used regarding meters, gauges, and displays – removable and replaceable as required.
  - All valves should have protection around the flange face.
  - All gauges, drain plugs, terminals, exposed piping and tubing should also be protected.
    
    Unitization:
  - Multiple purchase orders must be packaged separately.
  - Loose parts should not be packed within the equipment (i.e., Storing small parts in switchboard cabinets)
  - Loose parts must be individually packaged and clearly marked. Please refer to purchase order instructions.
  - Only Loose Parts marked with an “EL” prefaced part number may be shipped separately. All other parts must be shipped fully assembled.
  - Bulk packaging is specifically excluded unless specified in the contract or order.

General Dynamics NASSCO reserves the right to refuse shipments that are not palletized, adequately protected, and capable of multiple handling with lift equipment. Suppliers are encouraged to use advanced packaging techniques with suppliers of your choice.

Marking/ Labeling Requirements

All labels must show the following:

- Shipper’s name and address
- Consignee’s name and address
- NASSCO’s purchase order number
- Carton number (e.g., 1 of 5, etc.)
- Packing list number/NASSCO part number/quantity
- Weight

A packing list shall accompany each shipment. It shall be securely attached to the outside of the #1 container and protected against accidental removal or damage. (Containers with dimensions under 12”x12”x12” are exempt from this requirement. Instead, the packing list may be placed within the container). The packing list shall contain the following:

- Packing slip number
- The NASSCO purchase order number
- The purchase order line item number
- Release number, if applicable
- Quantity shipped
- Unit of measure
- Supplier's name
- NASSCO's part number(s) if applicable, description of item(s) including the revision index and engineering order (if applicable) of the supplier’s part number.
- Serial number (if applicable)
- The batch lot, compound number and/or manufacturer, assembly, cure date, and shelf life limitations when such information is required to be entered on the part and/or on its container.
- Rejection Notice SASO/DMT number where applicable.
- BFE (Buyer Furnished Equipment) that is serialized shall have the serial number referenced on the packing slip of the assembly being shipped to Gulfstream. Barcodes are required for BFE serialized parts.

Shipments of tubing and extrusions are to plainly indicate total footage on each container.

All material shipped for testing or experimental purposes must be clearly marked on interior and exterior containers, “NOT FOR PRODUCTION – EXPERIMENTAL OR TEST MATERIAL”. The name and telephone number of the individual who is to receive the consignment must be entered on the Bill of Lading and on all other documents.

For repaired parts, a repair/teardown report shall be attached to the part or packing list. It should state what action took place (repaired or overhauled) and what parts were replaced. When applicable, it shall also indicate time since new.

Any additional data specified in the Purchase Order, Release, and Rejection Notice or elsewhere in these instructions.

Wood packaging

Requirements for Wood Packaging Material (WPM) Imports

This standard describes phyto-sanitary measures that reduce the risk of introduction and spread of quarantine pests associated with the movement in international trade of wood packaging material made from raw wood. Wood packaging material covered by this standard includes dunnage but excludes wood packaging made from wood processed in such a way that it is free from pests (e.g. plywood).

2. Approved phytosanitary measures that significantly reduce the risk of pest introduction and spread via wood packaging material consist of the use of debarked wood (with a specified tolerance for remaining bark) and the application of approved treatments (as prescribed in Annex 1). The application of the recognized mark (as prescribed in Annex 2) ensures that wood packaging material subjected to the approved treatments is readily identifiable. The approved treatments, the mark and its use are described. ISPM 15 is the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Publication No. 15- Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging in International Trade. It represents the first international commodity based standard and sets out criteria for regulating wood packaging material used in international trade.

Reference for Wood Packaging Material (WPM) from USCBP and USDA: http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/wood_packaging_pp.ctt/wood_packaging_pp.pdf