What to do if your seal has been tampered with: l Contact insurer to appoint surveyor l Notify SAP Truck Theft Unit l Examine contents l Record replacement seal l Photograph inside of container l Retain seals for examination AMUSA offers advice to ensure shippers' rights of recourse are protected BY CHECKING container seals, consignees can help to apprehend the growing number of criminals responsible for thefts from containers after discharge at SA ports and more particularly during their final delivery from the container terminal.
This is the message from Karl Kisteman, chairman of the Association of Marine Underwriters of SA claims sub-committee, who points out that if the seal is not the original seal as manifested on the bill of lading there is a distinct possibility that the contents of the container have been interfered with.
In such cases members of AMUSA urge consignees to immediately contact their insurers to appoint a surveyor.
At the same time the special SA Police Truck Theft Unit should be contacted and the truck, container and driver detained so that a joint examination of the contents of the container can be carried out. If this is absolutely impossible, the number of the replacement seal should be recorded on the delivery note which should be signed by both the consignee and the driver.
If the driver refuses to sign, his employer should be contacted immediately and the consignee should insist that a representative from the haulier who is delivering the container comes out immediately to verify the substitution.
AMUSA also recommends that if at all possible photographs should be taken of the inside of the container when the doors are opened and it is suspected that part of the contents are missing.
If a container is delivered apparently intact with the manifested seal, but empty spaces are found on opening the doors, the seal should be carefully checked because it may well be a falsification. The same procedures as outlined above should be followed, says Kisteman.
In all cases the seals should be retained for examination.
It is only by being alert and by following the above procedures that the culprits can be identified, the claim under the insurance policy secured, and the rights of recourse against the liable carrier protected and insurance rates maintained. Members of the special SAP Truck Theft Unit can be contacted 24 hours a day at: Captain Schutte 0832819104 Inspector Strydom 0832591926 Constable Conradie 0832591925.
