The TAPA requires the use of ISO 17712 security seals.
ISO 17712 seals are manufactured with three levels of seal strength – Indicative, Security, and High Security.
The strength of the seals is measured by tests based on impact, shear or cut, bend, and tensile or pull strength.
An “I” Indicative seal is constructed and manufactured with material that can easily be broken by hand or by using a simple pocket knife or clippers. The intended use of indicative seals might be to secure the door of a recently cleaned container.
An “S” Security seal is constructed and manufactured with material that provides limited resistance to intrusion and requires small simple hand held tools for removal.
An “H” Hight Security seal is constructed and manufactured with material such as metal or metal cable with the intent to delay simple intrusion. High security seals are generally removed with bolt cutters or cable cutters.
What type seals are required by TAPA?
The TAPA TSR requires ISO 17712 security seals. TAPA does not specify a strength level for the seal.
High Security Seal Markings
ISO 17712 has a requirement that High Security H seals be marked or stamped with the grade of the seal. The two seals in the picture demonstrate this requirement. The cable seal is embossed with the letter H in the body of the seal lock. The bolt seal has the H on both parts of the bolt seal. Of course it is possible for counterfeit security seals to have the proper markings.
Value of Manufacturer Certificates
Clause 5 of ISO 17712 requires that the mechanical test must be conducted by an accredited ISO 17025 accredited laboratory. An accredited laboratory is one that has been inspected by a nationally recognized accreditation organization.
The manufacturer must also be certified to both ISO 9001 and ISO 17712: Annex A.
The new ISO 17712 dated 2013 also has Clause 6 which establishes the requirements for the evidence of tampering. Clause 6 requires the manufacturer to be mindful of the importance of continuous improvement of tamper resistance and tamper indicating features on security seals.
If the seal certificate does not not mention clause 5 and clause 6, then the cited seal was not manufactured in accordance with the requirements of ISO 17712. It is normal that the seal will have two certificates, one for the clause 5 requirements and a second certificate for the clause 6 requirements.
Will the use of ISO 17712 Seals Stop Thefts?
The answer is “No”.
The value of the ISO 17712 seal is that you can see if a container or vehicle was tampered with in order to introduce illegal contraband or to steal from the container or vehicle.
Does it matter which ISO 17712 seal is used – I, S, or H?
For TAPA certification, only a seal manufactured in accordance with ISO 17712 is required. Seals affixed at customs warehouses do not normally meet the requirements of ISO 17712.
However…
C-TPAT’s security criteria states that “…a high security seal must be affixed to all loaded containers bound for the U.S. All seals must meet or exceed the current ISO 17712 standards for high security seals.”
Remember…
Don’t forget to check the need for a seal on the left door. Some container and vehicle doors have two doors, both of which may be opened independent of one another. It is possible that you will seal the right door thinking that the left door cannot be opened. That is not always true – So check both doors, and if need be, attach a seal to both the left and right container or vehicle doors.