Container security devices and seals :
Container Security Devices (CSD) play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of the container along the supply chain and facilitating trade and Customs processes. Cargo security can be enhanced through the use of both mechanical and electronic seals.
Both mechanical cargo seals and e-Seals act as barriers against pilferage, smuggling, and sabotage of cargo within containers and trailers en route to their destination.
If either type of seal is found to be broken or if its identification (ID) number is different from the one on the cargo document, this is an indication that the container or trailer door might have been opened by an unauthorized person at some point in the transportation route.
The unique ID numbers on both mechanical and e-seals provide tracking information. It is expected that the ID number on either type of seal will be recorded at each handoff in the chain of custody to provide information about when and where the container or trailer was handed over and the seal status at that time. Ideally, seals should only be placed on containers by the party directly responsible for stuffing and/or visually verifying the contents of the container.
In this respect, it should be stressed that the party responsible for stuffing and sealing the container is the first, and most important, link in a “secure” container transport chain.
One must however remember that even high-security mechanical seals are only as good as the procedures in place to affix, monitor and document them at each transfer of responsibility.
Read more ...Click on the below link :
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTTRANSPORT/Resources/336291-1239112757744/5997693-1252703593834/6433604-1256564181444/6505010-1256582144983/seals.pdff
