Like I said, in SPITE of some people doing it, that does not mean it is OK.
While it's true that some of the newer Type 12 industrial enclosures from major mfrs like Hoffman are dual rated as Type 12/4, you cannot extrapolate that all of them are. If it does not specifically mention type 4 on the label, it is not rated for outdoor use, even with the drip shield kits.
A few Mfrs attempted to show the kits as being able to make the enclosures rated for type 3R, but UL clamped down on that practice and forced them all to change. The reason is, type 3R specifically allows to the ability to allow INTERNAL condensation to drain out, which means a hole in the bottom of the box somewhere. What the "3R kit" people did was instruct the end user to drill a hole in a NEMA 12 box. But NEMA was never a testing authority and when the code started requiring NRTL listing, UL took over the type testing and listing of enclosures under UL Standard 50. In true UL fashion, they NEVER allow for the rating of an enclosure to be dependent upon the actions or skill of the installer, so all "3R kits" became null and void.
The Type 12/4 enclosures do not need the weep hole because the type 4 test is to EXCLUDE all moisture. But it still presents a problem outdoors where temperature swings can cause condensation. Technically if you drill a hole though, you violate the rating of the box. So what you are SUPPOSED to do is use a NEMA 4 rated condensate drain fitting. Nobody does, I'm just speaking about the rules.
If however the question about NEMA 12 was also about the disconnect switch, then it's likely that if a disconnect is rated Type 12, it is usually not dual rated as Type 4. If you want to put it outside, it has to be type 3R or Type 4.
