Security Seals C TPAT & ISO17712 $0.39 each and up

Archive for the ‘Security Seals’ Category

Click Here For Affordable High Security Bolt Seals

When it comes to security seals for our goods, it’s hard to be calm in these uncertain times. Security is very important and has to be taken seriously. We need to secure our products to provide a hindrance to terrorist activities. Security seals give a warning that there has been tampering and they also serve as a deterrent.

Click Here for the best prices and selection of Security Seals

Security seals will help users to identify if a certain container, package or other item has been opened. In the industry, the government as well as the consumers is using tamper evident security seals to detect unauthorized opening of a secured item. Security seals are also intended to leave visual evidence of unauthorized entry.

Usage of Security Seals
     Helps to control access
     It records and shows integrity of the load
     Prevents inventory shrinkage
     Shipping integrity
     It offers container security
     Theft prevention and detection
     Accountability for hazardous material handlers
     Serves as computer security
     It is used for National Defense and Homeland security
     Protects the products of the consumer

Three types of Security Seals
* Tamper-evident seals- it gives evidence of contamination. These are simple seals but are not designed to give additional protection.
        
   Examples of Tamper-evident seals
   Films
   Plastic wraps
   Pressure sensitive adhesive tapes
   Crimped cables

* Barrier seals- it is a devices that serves to prevent invasion.
 
   Examples of Barrier seals
   Snap seals
   Cables
   Padlocks
   Container seals
   Bolt seals

* Electronic seals- it continuously monitors for changes and gives alert if tampering occurs. These are referred to as “e-seals”.

Specific Types of Security Seals
     Lead seals
     Numbered seals
     Railcar seals
     Truck seals
Container seals
High security bolt seals
High security cable seals

Security Seals Integrity Responsibilities

Click Here For Affordable High Security Cable Seals

Security Seals are to be affixed by the security personnel of the manufacturing entity. They should have received instruction and training in the proper use and application of high security seals. They will also be responsible for the strictly controlled access of seals and they shall be issued at random to avoid seals being affixed in consecutive order.
    
Seals are to be placed in a safe location until they are used. Access to this location must be restricted to those personnel who are responsible for the inventory and affixing of seals. And also, a standardized log must be maintained.
    
Seals must be of the high security type. All seals that are removed from a cargo container for customs inspection or law enforcement activity must be placed in the container in plain view before placing a new seal onto the container and should put up a system for reporting any changes.

Security Seals Requirements

The manufacturer is responsible for the sealed container or trailer. The seals must be attached at its origin and must be of the high security type as per ISO/PAS 17712, freight containers-mechanical seals. The manufacturer should put up a verifiable security system for the storage, handling facilities and container yards to prevent theft. It ensures a place to verify seal numbers and quantity of cargo when received. It makes sure of the use of seals and maintains a log for seal numbers that were issued and used.
    
The importer ensures that all concerned parties must know the security guidelines and procedures on how to use seals and seal integrity. They must make a procedure on how to inform any seal anomalies to US Customs and Border Protection.

Click Here for the best prices and selection of Security Seals

What are Numbered Security Seals?

Click Here For Affordable High Security Bolt Seals

The numbered security seals are safety devices that have a unique number. It is a mechanical locking system for security purposes. These will be printed in a folio to control them during transport. These are also called numbered security locks.

Click Here for the best prices and selection of Security Seals

Numbered security seals are used on trailer doors, containers, and rail cars to provide tamper evidence and high security.

Numbered security seals have two main groups which are single use and reusable. Reusable are usually electronic or mechanical. These are generally used for transportation. These can also be fitted to the rear or loading doors, extending a cable through fixed points on the doors. Once sealed generate a unique number that is logged but when the door is next opened, the number changes so it provides tamper evidence for the load. Single use is typically made of plastic or metal. The material used and production technology is the key to their security level.

Purposes of Numbered Security Seals:
     These are used to close temporarily any container, box, bag, trailer, rail car and more. It has a serial number to identify transported or stored products. These can also prevent theft as well as additional security.

Types of Numbered Security Seals:
* High security bolt seals – certified under the ISO/PAS 17712 and Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (bolt, cable, rod caliber).
* Indicative security seals – have different shapes and used according to application  (plastic, metal, combination of metal insert plastic).
* High Security Cable seals – has a body made of aluminum, high strength plastic, steel or lead. Steel cable has various thickness and lengths, depends on the application.

     All seals that belong to high security level and numbered indicative security seal level are called barrier seals. They are made in various metals. It requires bolt cutters or pliers to open it. They combine lock and tamper evident seal for different uses. These are designed to prevent theft of important goods. Numbered and branded security seals improve tamper resistance and provide security for containers.

     The seals can be individualized to meet the needs of the user. Typical markings include logos, special texts, white pads, consecutive numbering and 1D and 2D bar codes.

Technologies for marking the Seals:
* Hot stamping
* Ink jet printing
* Laser engraving
* Thermal printing

Click Here For Affordable High Security Cable Seals

Recommendations for the use of Numbered security Seals
     Decide which one of your employees will be responsible for the implementation of the numbered security seals. This employee would be the only one allowed to take and use the numbered security seals so that in case of an incident with the numbered security seals there is a very limited number of people to have to talk to.

     Place the numbered security seals in a locked room. Only the authorized person can access the room. In this way the numbered security seals are protected.

     Authorized employees must keep a record of when, where, and how they use them and registered with the sequential number, color, and type.

     Take some pictures after the installation of the numbered security seals. This is for additional security if an incident occurs.

Click Here for the best prices and selection of Security Seals

Click Here For Affordable High Security Bolt Seals

Terrorist groups have increasingly turned to trying to destroy the economic infrastructure to make an impact on nations. International shipping has come under observation as it’s a potential target.  Under the Container Security Initiative (CSI) program, the Customs and Border Protection Agency has been picked to accomplish the screening of containers that pose a risk due to terrorism.

Click Here for the best prices and selection of Security Seals

The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection launched the Container Security Initiative in 2002. Its purpose is to increase security for containers that are shipped to the United States and their intent is to extend the zone of security outward so that American borders are the last line of defense.

According to Customs and Border Protection, containerized shipping is a critical component of international trade. About 90% of the world’s trade is transported in cargo containers. Almost half of incoming United States trade arrives by containers on board ships and nearly 7 million cargo containers arrive on ships and are off loaded at United States seaports every year.

One official said that he understood that the problem for container security solutions has been the lack of a wireless product that installs easily inside of the container, ensuring load security regardless of where the container has traveled. They created container security to overcome this problem. This container security is an anti-theft solution that provides the highest degree of visibility to container position and status. This helps shipping companies improve their supply chain visibility and reduce the risk of tampering and theft.

The shippers of the goods can easily have the security bolt seal or cable seal on a container once it is loaded and the removal process takes a minute or less. After the container is sealed, the security bolt seal or cable seal is then registered providing visibility and adding to container security. Real-time notifications can be created when the container enters or departs unique points of interest like customs locations and major depots.

Before the changes to container security, the ocean going container security concerns were focused on smuggling and product theft in the supply chain. Due to attacks worldwide, the awareness regarding security of incoming and outgoing shipments and the threat that terrorists may use the containers and affect their supply chain system has grown. Supply chain security is the application of policies, procedures, products and personnel to prevent theft, damage or terrorism.

After the 2001 terrorist attacks, more focus has been placed on the ocean going shipping containers as the next possible avenue for terrorists. The United States was the first country to embrace and enact higher security standards due to these attacks.

Click Here For Affordable High Security Cable Seals

Container security can be achieved through a wide range of approaches, starting from increased inspections, the use of high security bolt seals or cable seals, the use of E-Seals to systems that incorporate radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and wireless sensors. The inspection process cannot handle the sheer number of containers, ships, and ports alone; it will one day require technology to do the task.

Container security technology is evolving rapidly. Now devices integrate various types of sensors and wireless communications, and these are merging and evolving. More sensors can provide light, temperature inside of the box and humidity readings.  The humidity sensor gives cargo protection because there are damages to cargo when humidity or moisture gets into containers.  This humidity sensor can alert the condition and exporters can correct it right away.  This could also be a notification that there has been a breech of the bolt seal or cable seal and that container security has been compromised.

Click Here for the best prices and selection of Security Seals

Click Here For Affordable High Security Bolt Seals

Container Seals are security cargo box door seals designed to secure boxes and cargo containers that are used to transport merchandise from one location to another. These container seals go through the handle on the container and can be either a bolt seal or a cable seal with unique numbers for quick and easy identification. 

Click Here for the best prices and selection of Security Seals

Characteristics of Container Seals:
* Durable
* One-piece construction
* Patented tamper-resistant locking mechanism and design.
* Identically numbered and hot stamped or laser etched with a company name or logo

Seal Applications:
* Cargo Containers
* In-flight Service Carts
* Storage Equipment
* Trailers with multiple doors

There are several purposes of container seals, one of the main applications of container seals is to seal the land, air or sea containers. The use of these devices is to prevent theft of high valued goods inside the containers as well as to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the container and tampering with the cargo.

Almost all of models of security seals can be used in these containers, but it depends on the distance  and the type of products that a certain company transporting. One example is that a container that is transported by land carrying a load of plastic bottles then it is recommended that you use an indicative security seal or control seal. If the container is carrying high value goods or is crossing into the USA or through USA waters then High Security container seals are required.

The United States Customs makes Container Seals mandatory.
On August 7, 2008, the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a general notice stating that all maritime containers entering into the United States are required to be sealed with a seal meeting the ISO/PAS 17712 standard as High Security container seals

In general, the ISO/PAS 17712 requires that container seals meet or exceed a certain standard for strength and durability to prevent accidental breakage due to weather conditions, chemical actions or undetectable tampering under normal usage. The ISO/PAS 17712 also requires that each seal must be clearly and legibly marked with an identification number.

Click Here For Affordable High Security Cable Seals

The Customs and Border Protection sealing requirements will consider loaded containers to be in violation of the 9/11 Act if they arrive by vessel at a port of United States with a seal that does not meet the ISO/PAS 17712 standard. The requirement will take effect on October 15, 2008. In these cases the Customs and Border Protection may asses a civil penalty against the party responsible for the violation for the attempted introduction of merchandise into the United States contrary to the law. However, there will be an informed compliance period before full enforcement goes into effect.
 
Types of containers that are exempt from this regulation:
 
* Tanks
* Non-standard containers
* Containers that simply cannot accommodate a seal meeting the ISO standard 
* Empty containers 

When a container has been affixed with a seal that meets or exceeds the ISO/PAS 17712 standards, and the shipper wishes to apply a supplementary, additional seal to the container to provide an enhanced level of security, such supplementary seals do not have to meet the ISO/PAS 17712 standards.

The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism certified that companies should not be affected by this requirement. C-TPAT importers and freight forwarders currently must use seals, which meet or exceed the current ISO PAS 17712 standard. This notification simply serves to bring attention to the existing statutory requirements for the use of container seals.

Click Here for the best prices and selection of Security Seals

Standard cable security seals are used on freight containers, storage units, rail cars and truck trailer doors. They are more suited to use with trailer doors and rail cars as the containers usually need a much sturdier seal as they usually travel much further.

Click Picture For Affordable High Security Bolt Seals

The cable security seal is much easier to cut so it is the security seal of choice for trucks as most drivers have to cut the seal in order to get the truck unloaded when they reach their destination. Many a high security bolt seal has met it’s end by use of a hammer as no bolt cutters could be found that could cut the high security bolt seal. You have to remember one thing though, if it’s easier for you to cut that means someone else can cut it easier too!

Click Here for the best prices and selection of Security Seals

There is an adjustable loop diameter, which gives a wide application range and flexibility for use on any style of container door or trailer door. A large diameter aircraft cable seals increases the load rating. Two sizes are C TPAT approved 3.5mm (1/8 inch) and 5mm (3/16 inch). The tensile strength of a cable security seal has to be 10 KN to meet the ISO17712 requirements of a high security seal and that is what a 3.5mm cable usually is – between 10 KN and 13 KN – and a 5mm is 16 KN to 20 KN. A bolt seal will be much high security – in the 35 KN range.

The cable security seals are durable and intended for higher security applications. There are various cable diameters for various applications.

Cable Security Seals Application:
Shipping containers
Trucks
Rail Freight
Utility meters and valves
Valves in petrochemical industry

The minimum cable diameter to pass the shear test of ISO 17712 is 3.5mm and this should be the minimum of cable seal diameter to be qualifying as a high security seal. It used to be 5mm (3/16 inch) but technolodgy advances allowed the manufacturers to get the cable down to 3.5mm (1/8 inch) which made the cable easier to cut for the users.

Cable security seals of companies must be C TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) compliant if they are using the cable security seal as a high security cable seal.

Some Features and Benefits of Cable Security seals:

Well-improved locking mechanism for tampering
Improved productivity for bar codes that match the serial number
More room for the company logo and/or name
To Removes much easier with bolt cutter
Self-locking and no installation tools need to be used
A wide range of cable security seals suitable for multiple applications as they come in all sizes.

How to choose Cable Security Seals?

It should be suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
There must always be a serial number and that number should be written down for security purposes.

Bar codes are important and offer greater accuracy for larger projects.

Allow at least 10% clearance for cable thickness.
Use the shortest length to reduce cost.
The cable security seals are tapered at one end for locking.
The ideal length for securing the keeper bars on truck trailers is the medium length cables which are 14 inches.
Use another type of lock to secure the handle latch if you want higher security to help prevent theft.

Click Picture For Affordable High Security Cable Seals

For truck trailers and shipping containers, it is ideal to use the long length cables for securing both the keeper bars and the handle latch. Most trucks now though just use the cable security seals to lock the latch. They don’t bother wrapping the bars and why bother as one cut is all it takes to remove no matter how many times it’s wrapped.
The thicker cable is more expensive and it requires special cutting tools to remove it.
Use the 5mm cable for the best barrier cable security seals.

All international shipments usually require cable security seals that are rated as high security. The imprinted seals offer more security at customs as they are customized seals which bear the company name and logo. There are different kinds of background colors for color-coding.

Safety Precautions:
To remove cable security seals, use a 16 to 24 inch bolt cutter and always wear safety glasses.

Click Here for the best prices and selection of Security Seals

What should a good security seal have?

Irreversible evidence on how it’s made, Ability to record items, and offer a visual deterrent to the offender.

Click Here For Affordable High Security Bolt Seals

The Security seal must assure the user that it is reliable for the shipments they make each day. It will provide an immediate notification whether a shipment, container or sealed item has been tampered with. It is ideal for protecting against unauthorized entry.

Click Here for the best prices and selection of Security Seals

A Security seal can be printed or manufactured with different identifiers such as company name, logo, numbering, and bar code.

The security seal can be used to protect a wide range of products.

The transportation of products is important in the flow of materials and goods worldwide. Since shipping has continued to grow, there is a need for improved security. Containers need to be secure to be protected from theft and to make sure they aren’t being used by terrorists. Containers that are not secure could be used to transport weapons of terrorists as there are thousands of containers entering North America each day.

When it comes to the market for container security there has been progress as far as technical standards are concerned.
    
The US Customs department says that 90% of world trade is transported in containers and half of the trade coming to the United States arrives on ships in containers. Under CSI, customs officials screen containers that may pose a security risk.

     There are four main features of the CSI initiative. These are that information and intelligence should be used to identify the containers that may pose a national security risk. Containers that may pose a security risk should be screened before they arrive in the United States. Detection technology should be used to pre-screen containers that may be a security risk and containers should be tamper proof.

     Many companies nowadays provide security seals for cargo containers. More and more of them are looking into technologies that can be used against terrorism.

     The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C TPAT) has worked with businesses to help insure container security by using security seals.  C TPAT gives regulations and standards for businesses to use in order to make sure that their containers are secure. The C TPAT guidelines call for a container inspection, the use of security seal on containers and a proper place for the containers to be stored. A number of companies offer security seal for cargo containers that are C TPAT compliant.

     Individual companies can have  their seal engraved with a unique letter combination and number combination. The seals are certified as high security seals if the container is coming into North American or leaving North America.

Application of Security Seal
     It is used for land, air, or sea containers. The correct usage of these devices gives security to the goods inside the containers. Most models of security seal can be used in these containers but it depends on the type of products that are being transported.

Click Here For Affordable High Security Cable Seals

Examples:
    If a container is transported locally by land and the product being transported are plastic bottles, it is recommended to use an indicative security seal or control seal, plastic or metal or to provide greater security it can use a plastic security seal with metal insert.
    
     If a container is transported from one state to another state and the product being transported by land is cement, it is recommended to use a plastic security seal with metal insert and much better if using a cable security seal. It is also highly recommended to use a bolt seal or pin type and no certification on these seals because it is only a national transport but still, it is always recommended to use certified security seal approved by the ISO/PAS 17712 and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program.

     And lastly if a container is required to transport to another country or long distance by land, by sea or by air, it is recommended to use security seals that are high security bolt seals, barrier seals, or cable seals with a high thickness and approved by ISO/PAS 17712 and the C TPAT program as high security seals.

Click Here for the best prices and selection of Security Seals