Security seal ruling kicks in next month

All US-bound containers must comply
FROM JUNE, all sea containers arriving in US ports will have to be fitted with an approved standard barrier seal as part of the customs-trade partnership against terrorism (C-TPAT) initiative in the US.
“From that deadline date all maritime cargo containers entering the US from foreign points of origin must be secured with a high-security barrier seal which conforms to the technical specifications in the ISO/PAS 17712 document,” Kevin Norwitz, MD of Vikela Aluvin, told FTW.
“If they don’t, they will be set aside for special scrutiny - significantly delaying delivery.”
The advice for exporters is that they must ensure that the seals are ISO-17712 compliant for tensile strength, shear, bend and impact - and that this should be validated by a certified third party.
“C-TPAT affects the entire security sealing industry,” Norwitz said, “as it stipulates that both the security sealing products themselves and those who manufacture and supply them must conform to the new guidelines.”
Vikela Aluvin represents several international manufacturers that produce seals that are compliant with C-TPAT stipulations.