Barrier cargo seals

Scope

Carriers of property can use barrier cargo seals to deter tampering with and theft of cargo.

Regulatory citations

• None

Key definitions

• None

Summary of requirements

Examples of barrier seals include:

• High security bolt. A bolt seal consisting of a metal rod, threaded or unthreaded, flexible or rigid, with a formed head, secured with a separate locking mechanism. It attaches through holes in the locking arm and hasp of the door. It is removed usually with a bolt cutter and is on the lower end of cost for seals.
• Locking bar. This device is a bar, plate, or rod that is positioned across the seam of a door. It usually is attached to the keeper bars. This form of seal tends to be more expensive than other forms of manual seals.
• High security cable. A cable seal consists of a cable and a locking mechanism. On a one-piece seal, the locking or seizing mechanism is permanently attached to one end of the cable. A two-piece cable seal has a separate locking mechanism, which slips onto the cable or prefabricated cable end. An effective use of this kind of seal is to attach the cable to a door and/or loop them through both doors to keep them from swinging open.
• High security padlock/handcuff. A padlock/handcuff seal consisting of a locking body with a bail attached. Examples of this type of seal are wire shackle padlock and keyless padlock seals.

Types of barrier trailer seals include:

• Steel cable trailer seals. Steel cable trailer seals are designed to prevent cargo theft. They are made with aircraft (high-tensile strength) cable and require a heavy-duty bolt or cable cutter to snip off. This type of seal is much more expensive than the other trailer seals mentioned above, and are generally used in conjunction with the transportation of high-value or security-sensitive cargo. Steel cable seals are adjustable and number coded.
• Bolt trailer seals. Bolt trailer seals are designed to prevent cargo theft. They are made with high-tensile strength steel and require a heavy-duty bolt to snip off. This type of seal is less expensive than the cable trailer seal mentioned above, and are generally used in conjunction with the transportation of high-value or security-sensitive cargo. Steel bolt seals are number coded.