To reduce the possibility of theft, loss, or damage, the security of commodities being carried by water is crucial. For this reason, shipping firms demand that containers be securely closed with controlled identifying security seals. Due of their durability and traceability, seals are the most commonly utilised security tool.
Why Is Container Sealing Important?
One of the top concerns while transporting a container must be the security and management of the cargo. Any container being delivered by sea must have a container seal to show that it has been properly closed, regardless of whether it is an FCL or LCL shipment.
The seal guarantees that at the place of origin, the container was correctly “sealed.” The container cannot be opened during marine transportation until it arrives at its destination since the seal can only be opened once.
This lowers the possibility that an unauthorised individual would get entry to the container and carry illicit cargo, such as narcotics or contraband, in addition to preventing the theft of products.
The Right Way To Seal A Container-
A lead seal is a tag made of plastic or metal that connects the ends of a beaded wire to close and secure an access point or container opening.
One of the lock rods can be sealed, especially on the right-hand door as it opens first. If just one door can be used to remove the goods, the lock on the left-hand door can accept a seal. The objective is to demonstrate that nothing has been smuggled in and that no one has had access to the contents.
It is important that the items’ receivers ensure that the seal identification number on the shipping documentation matches the seal number on the container. The recipient must tell the shipping firm right away if this number is different so that they may examine the container.
To maximise security, bottle seals or nail seals are advised in addition to the usage of seals. Bottle seals, which stop container doors from opening, should be positioned at the bottom of the doors and made of high-strength polystyrene and carbon steel.
What Happens If The Container Seal Is Broken?
Don’t worry! It is not always indicative of theft that the container seal has been tampered with or cracked. It can only indicate that a customs inspection has been conducted. When this occurs, Customs apply a new seal and new labels to the container, indicating that it has passed security checks.
If a customs examination reveals no signs that the container has been opened and you suspect probable unlawful tampering, be careful to keep detailed records:
- Take pictures of the container and the seal, if any.
- Make quick contact with your freight forwarder, shipping company, and the organisation with whom you have a marine transport insurance contract.
- Wait until a shipping company representative is present before opening the container.
- Make careful to keep snapping pictures of the contents once the container has been opened. If you want to make a claim against the shipping firm, this is crucial information.
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