Security seals in autumn: a quick reminder before the year-end rush

Autumn marks the start of the busiest time of year for many shippers. Holiday orders, store restocking, year-end closures: trailers and containers are moving more often, and sometimes faster. This is exactly when a good security seal makes all the difference. Here is a quick reminder on how to secure your goods and keep your logistics under control this season.

The 5 key points

• Shipping volume increases as the year-end approaches, making it harder to keep track of every shipment.
• Rain, cold, and frequent handling expose goods to loss, theft, or damage.
• A numbered security seal immediately shows if a trailer or container has been opened.
• Secur-T offers three flagship seal types: cable, plastic, and bolt.
• You can see and handle our seals in our showroom before making your choice.

More shipments, less time for checks

As the year-end approaches, loading docks are running at full capacity. More loads mean more trailers to seal, more numbers to record on shipping documents, and more hands touching the merchandise. When everything is moving fast, a check step can easily be missed. A properly applied and recorded seal remains your simplest proof: the cargo arrived exactly as it left, or it didn't.

Loss, theft, damage: the risks of the season

Autumn brings its own set of transport risks:

• theft : a trailer parked for a long time in a yard or at a rest stop is an easy target if there is no sign of tampering;
• loss : without a seal number recorded at departure and verified upon arrival, it is difficult to pinpoint where a problem occurred;
• damage : rain, ice, and extreme temperature fluctuations put doors, equipment, and every trailer or container closure to the test.

A security seal does not replace a padlock, but it makes any attempt to open it visible. It is this visual check, combined with numbering and identification, that protects your supply chain and your freight.

Our three flagship seal types

The cable seal

The cable seal fits almost any closure: trailer doors, containers, tanks, and valves. The cable is threaded through the locking points and then secured by the seal's steel locking mechanism.

• The EZ Loc is a medium-duty cable seal. Its non-preformed cable frays when cut, making tampering easy to detect.
• The FlexiGrip 325-M is a high-security cable seal that is ISO 17712:2013 compliant and C-TPAT certified as per its specifications. Its steel locking mechanism is integrated into an aluminum body. Tamper-evident laser engraving and sequential numbering are included.

The plastic seal

Ideal for quick and simple checks, the plastic seal is a flexible and efficient solution suitable for everyday use. Available in several models (Pull-Tite II, Unipull, UniTite, Tug-Tight, and others), it allows for rapid sealing while immediately showing any signs of tampering. It is well-suited for bins, bags, equipment, and internal controls for single-use applications. For a container crossing the border, choose a high-security seal instead.

The bolt seal

Designed for the most demanding applications, the bolt seal offers reliable tamper-evident protection, even in harsh conditions. The Locktainer 3000 L, for example, is a high-security seal that is ISO 17712:2013 and C-TPAT compliant, with a tensile strength of over 19 kN as per its specifications. Its steel core and mechanism are robust. It can be applied without tools and is primarily used for containers, railcars, and truck trailers.

Which security level should you choose?

Choosing the right seal depends on what you are transporting, the level of security required, the standards to be met, and the route your freight is taking:

For companies in the Partners in Protection (PIP) program, the Canada Border Services Agency requires a high-security seal compliant with the ISO 17712 standard for shipments that can be sealed, applied at the last point of collection before the border (CBSA Memorandum D23-1-1).

Best practices for the season

• Apply the seal immediately after loading.
• Record the seal number on shipping documents and in your logistics system.
• Check the seal and its number upon arrival, before opening.
• Maintain a seal inventory suited to peak season volumes.
• Store your seals in a controlled area to prevent unauthorized use.

Customization options (company name, numbering, barcodes) also make it easier to identify, use, and track each seal in your documentation.

Request your samples

The best way to choose a seal is to see and handle it. In our sample room, you can discover our cable, bolt, and plastic seals, test their durability, and ask our experts your questions. Would you rather receive samples? Write to us and tell us what you are shipping: we will help you make the right choice for your transport needs.

FAQ

Ready for peak season?

The year-end rush is coming. Request your cable, plastic, or bolt seal samples at 1 800 353-7557.

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