Cargo seals

Scope

Shippers and carriers of property should select cargo seals to withstand accidental damage and indicate or deter tampering.

Regulatory citations

• None

Key definitions

• None

Summary of requirements

Seals, whatever level of sophistication, fall into two categories:

• Indicative seals are designed to only alert the carrier or shipper if entry into the shipping container was attempted. They are not strong enough to deter or prevent intrusion.
• Barrier seals are designed as cargo theft deterrents.

When purchasing seals, the shipper or carrier should consider the following criteria. Seals should:

• Be strong enough to withstand accidental breakage due to shipping, weather, or chemicals;
• Be affixed easily and quickly;
• Indicate obvious traces of tampering so as to deter the removal or breaking of the seal;
• Be designed to allow for a one-time use; and
• Have unique marks and numbers on the seal that are legible, permanent, and tamper-resistant.

Shippers and carriers also should look into how well a product has been tested and proven by the manufacturer. This is especially true when one takes into consideration the number of days and different modes of transportation that are involved in the movement of goods. The amount of force placed on a locking mechanism could be great during a loading and unloading process, and in the same respect, extreme temperatures may impact the performance of both a seal and locking device. Security-related tests should also have been performed by the manufacturer on the different kinds of cutting blades that can tamper with a seal. An understanding of these factors will make for a more informed decision when purchasing seals.