New security deadline looms for US-bound containers

A date to diarise is October 15, according to Kevin Norwitz, MD of Vikela Aluvin – a manufacturer and distributor of security sealing products. That's is the deadline day laid down by the US department of homeland security on which all loaded maritime cargo containers entering the US must be secured with high-security seals meeting the ISO/PAS 17712 standard. “This regulation, the latest development in the customs trade partnership against terrorism (C-TPAT) initiative, includes foreign cargo remaining on board (FROB),” said Norwitz. “In addition, the details of all seal numbers must be included in the vessel automated manifest system sent to US customs and border protection (CBP) at least 24 hours before cargo is loaded aboard a vessel at a foreign port.” For C-TPAT participants this regulation is not new, Norwitz told FTW – with many maritime cargo containers entering the US already secured with ISO/PAS 17712 compliant high-security seals. “However, it is now required of ALL containers entering the US by sea.” But, according to Norwitz, the CBP has recognised that some types of containers cannot be readily secured by use of a seal meeting the ISO/ PAS 17712 standard. These containers – which include tanks, non-standard containers such as open top containers and some custom-built containers – are not subject to the statutory requirement. The new regulation has several implications for SA exporters to the US. “Firstly,” Norwitz said, “the correct seal has to be used on a container. Secondly, proof is needed that the seal is genuinely C-TPAT compliant, requiring verification of test results at an International Standards Organisation (ISO) accredited test laboratory. Thirdly, seals have to be procured from manufacturers and/or suppliers that comply with the duties and responsibilities of ISO/PAS 17712.”