1. Am I required to buy seals from a specific manufacturer or group? I understood that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and its C-TPAT program endorse no product, no firm, and no trade association.
    You are correct. It is up to the buyer and his due diligence to select the best product, given its application within his supply chain. As long as the seal maker is and its specific product is ISO compliant and as long as its compliance has been tested by an independent third party, you are free to purchase from whomever you wish.
    Link here to ISO page specific to this topic.
    Link here to C-TPAT page specific to this topic.
  2. All high security seals are one and the same, right? I am really only concerned about price, compliance and delivery.
    NO! All high security seals are not created equal. ISO currently only tests for:
    • tensile strength
    • sheer strength
    • bend resistance
    • impact resistance
    Even with compliance for the above tests, high security seals often provide less than desirable characteristics. When it comes to the real test for any seal; how does it stand up to attack? In other words, you can easily purchase an ISO compliant seal which is vulnerable to manipulation and defeat without leaving evidence of tampering. For more information on this vitally important issue go to the ACT! Demos section.
    If your firm is risk adverse or follows stringent best practices protocols, you should determine for yourself just how protected or unprotected your supply chain is.
  3. Why is a cable seal considered more secure than a bolt seal?
    Cable seals protect not only the locking hasp but also the door. However, not all cable seals provide proper cargo protection. Review the animations on our website to better understand what a world of difference seal design can make.
  4. We have a clandestine entry issue, you know, there are always a just a few boxes missing. Not enough to cause a big problem but it is a headache if we have to file a claim. Can a better seal help in this situation?
    Absolutely! There is a good chance that the entry issue has nothing to do with short-shipping but more to do with a poorly designed seal being manipulated. A driver, employee, or any third party may be opening the seal, stealing a few boxes, and then re-sealing without leaving evidence. This is extremely easy to do with lesser grade and poorly designed seals and is very common. The perpetrators know that taking just a few items i snot enough to cause concern and keeps their activities under the radar. Why not take our better seal = better security challenge? Try our VL seal which cannot be manipulated or defeated and see if your problem does not go away.
  5. Besides the obvious, how can using better grade security seals benefit my business?
    First, a secure supply chain is a must in today's world. Running a secure supply chain is required by Customs and Border Protection under their C-TPAT program. Using a secure seal and one that cannot be manipulated under attack is crucial. Second, most corporate shareholders are now looking at more than just the bottom line. They also prefer a secure supply chain with no "surprises" (narcotics smuggling, clandestine entry issues, contraband, etc) that could damage a firm's reputation, brand image, or share price. Lastly, most insurance companies are looking to see that your firm is doing more than just the same old/same old. Show them our animations and how a supply chain's security is enhanced by the use of better grade seal such as our VL cable seal, and they should respond with lower premiums. If not, ask them why not, or shop for better premiums. We are also happy to assist via a presentation to them designed with your company in mind. In many cases, the lower premium more than pays for the use of better grade seals.