ASTM A700-14 (2019) PDF

Full title and description

ASTM A700-14 (Reapproved 2019) — Standard Guide for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods for Steel Products for Shipment. This guide gives recommended practices to package, mark, and load a wide range of steel products so they arrive at destination in good condition while promoting uniformity, adequacy, and economy in shipment methods.

Abstract

Provides guidance on selection of packaging materials and methods, marking and product identification, safe loading and load securement, and documentation/tally practices for shipping steel products. Applies to semi‑finished steel, bars and bar‑size shapes, sheet piling, rods, wire and wire products, tubular products, plates, sheets, strips, tin‑mill products, and castings. The guide is concise (approx. 5 pages) and references related packaging and securement standards (for example ASTM D4169, D3950, D3953, D4675, D4649).

General information

• Status: Published; reapproved (current edition) — A700‑14 (Reapproved 2019).
• Publication date: Published October 31, 2019; effective November 1, 2019 (document shown as A700‑14(2019)).
• Publisher: ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 55.180.40 — Complete, filled transport packages; falls under packaging/transport and steel products classifications.
• Edition / version: A700‑14 (2014 revision), reapproved 2019 — often cited as A700‑14(2019) or A700‑14R19.
• Number of pages: Approximately 5 pages (short guide).

Scope

This guide covers recommended practices for packaging, marking, and loading steel products for shipment so they will arrive in good condition if properly handled in transit. It is intended both for shippers and packers of a broad range of steel product forms (semi‑finished items, bars, structural shapes, plates/sheets/strips, tin‑mill products, wire and tubular items, and castings) and for parties that specify packaging and load securement requirements. The guide supplements mode‑of‑transport regulations and other referenced ASTM practices/specifications.

Key topics and requirements

• Product identification and marking requirements (legible markings/tags consistent with size and handling of items).
• Selection of packaging and load‑securement materials suitable for product form (strapping, blocking, cushioning, stretch film, etc.).
• Loading methods and safe load‑securement practices to prevent damage during transit.
• Recommended documentation, tallying, and labeling practices to assist receipt and handling.
• References and conformity with related ASTM packaging/securement standards (for example D4169, D3950, D3953, D4675, D4649) and transport regulations.
• Notes on safety responsibility — the standard does not replace user responsibility for establishing safe handling and regulatory compliance.

Typical use and users

Used by steel mills, metal service centers, packers, freight forwarders, carriers, purchasing/specification engineers, quality and logistics teams, and government or defense agencies specifying shipment preservation. It is a practical guide for anyone creating packaging and loading instructions for steel shipments or auditing packing/securement practices.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside and referencing: ASTM D4169 (performance testing of shipping containers and systems), ASTM D3950 (strapping, nonmetallic), ASTM D3953 (flat steel strapping), ASTM D4675 (selection/use of flat strapping), ASTM D4649 (stretch wrap/film guidance), and applicable mode‑of‑transport regulations and industry codes. A previous edition was A700‑05; A700‑14 is the later published/reapproved edition.

Keywords

ASTM A700, packaging, marking, loading, steel products, shipment, load securement, strapping, shipping guide, transport packaging, DoD approved (use).

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM A700 is a short guide that provides recommended practices for packaging, marking, and loading methods for steel products intended for shipment, to help ensure safe delivery and to promote uniform, economical packaging methods.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers packaging materials and methods, marking and product identification, loading and load securement practices, and documentation/tally recommendations for a wide variety of steel products (semi‑finished goods, bars, shapes, plates, sheets, strips, wire, tubular products, tin‑mill products, and castings).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Steel mills, distributors, packers, carriers, logistics and quality engineers, procurement/specification writers, and government agencies (the guide is approved for use by U.S. government agencies including DoD) use the standard when defining shipping/preservation requirements for steel.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The edition is A700‑14 (original revision year 2014) reapproved in 2019 and published/effective November 2019 (commonly cited as A700‑14(2019)). Users should confirm with ASTM International for any reissues after 2019 to ensure they have the latest status before specifying the document.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ASTM Committee A01 (Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys) guidance and is often used in conjunction with other ASTM packaging and test practices; earlier historical editions include A700‑05 and earlier revisions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Packaging, marking, loading, steel shipment, load securement, strapping, tags, transport packaging, ASTM A700.