What is the container seal?

Container seals are an integral part of shipping containers. Each container must have at least one seal before it can be shipped.

Container seals can come in many shapes and forms, from embossed-lead seals to plastic and metal seals to plastic and metal bullet seals and padlocks, all of which are used to protect valuable cargo shipped in containers.

Depending on the shipping company or exporter and the level of security required, the container may be sealed with any of the above seals.

However, the most preferred type for shipping companies is the high-security bolted container seal, which complies with ISO PAS 17712.

Shipping companies have their own policies for accepting the different types of seals they allow. Maersk, CMA, COSCO, Evergreen, MSC and other companies have their own policies, but the difference is not big.

Most shipping companies, especially those dealing with the United States, already have container seal requirements in place under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) and the Customs and Trade Partnership Anti-Terrorism Awareness Program (C-TPAT).

Customs authorities in most countries also have their own customs reporting requirements, as these form an important part of supply chains and national security