Best Practice No. 3 - Seal Security Issues.

C-TPAT requires its partners' shipped containers to have high security seals that meet ISO PAS 17712.  Plastic seals do not comply.  Seal Ensuring that delivered sealed containers remained sealed is an important consideration in the supply chain.

• Missing seals – a container that should have a seal doesn’t,
• Broken seals – a container has a seal that is affixed in such a way, either damaged or not identifiable, that security could have been compromised, or
• Mismatched seals – the number of the seal on the container does not match the number of the seal listed on the documentation.

Containers with seal security issues should not be allowed to continue their movement until the discrepancy is researched and resolved. Stopping the container as close as possible the point of discovery makes it easier to identify the exact nature of the seal security issue. Proper action in any case may involve applying a high security seal, requiring a shipper to verify the contents and add a seal, or refusing to lade a container on its next means of conveyance.

The investigation into the seal security discrepancy will involve contact each member of the supply chain who handled the container until the point where the discrepancy can be identified.  The point is to communicate, communicate, communicate.

Notification of authorities is a decision that will be based upon what the investigation reveals.  The cause for the discrepancy may be something as mundane as not documenting a new seal number when a government authority makes a regular examination or even a mistyped number.  However, when the investigation reveals something possibly more serious, it is time to get authorities involved.

Companies should have procedures in place for handling seal security issues and communicate the importance of same to its partners in the supply chain. 

Seal manufacturers can provide proof of testing that their seals meet ISO standard.