Plastic security seals protect shipped goods in two key ways:
- Plastic seals make it difficult for bad actors to tamper with shipments.
- Plastic seals are tamper evident, so you can see easily if your shipment was handled inappropriately.
Businesses rely on sending out goods that are in mint condition without missing items. That’s why sourcing a high security truck seal provider is so critical. But with so many different types of plastic seals on the market, how do you know which one to trust to protect your shipments? Our latest blog provides insight. Let’s get started!
What Is a Container Seal?
Container seals protect cargo containers from theft and other forms of tampering. These seals secure the outside of a container (or truck) and are single use. If someone tries to tamper with your shipment, they would have to damage the seal. This proves to you—and your insurance company—that a bad actor could have damaged your goods. With this evidence, you can keep potentially dangerous products from reaching your customers, and you can file a claim through your insurance.
To help increase security, each seal is labeled with a unique identification number. This makes it easier to track your shipments and trust the integrity of your seals.
Packing Seal Types
When shopping for a plastic seal for your containers, you’ll come across bolt seals, pull-tight seals, and truck seals. Take a look at some of their key features to see which seal could meet your needs:
- Truck Seals: These plastic seals are typically used for securing semi-trucks. Truck seals are often straps that wrap around the container door’s latching mechanism. For shorter trips, plastic seals can get the job done. For longer trips, consider metal strap seals that can withstand harsh elements.
- Pull-Tight Seals: These seals are designed for quick installation around a cargo container’s latching mechanism. Pull-tight seals are typically longer than truck seals, and they are also available in plastic or metal.
- Bolt Seals: These two-part seals offer high security protection and are ideal for international or overseas shipments. To mount a bolt seal, you’ll first need to separate the bolt from the lock because they come conjoined. Then, slide the bolt through the latch and secure the lock on the other end.
When deciding which seals to use for your shipping needs, consider how much durability is actually required. For example, metal and bolt seals offer lasting strength, which is worth the extra investment for long or difficult shipments (like international or maritime routes). However, shorter routes may not require a high security seal, which can be an opportunity to save money—without sacrificing functionality—with plastic seals.
Why Is Sealing Packaging Important?
Sealing your packaging is an important step to protecting your business and your customers. In certain situations, how you seal your packaging is also regulated by laws.
- Protect Your Business: You can’t sell damaged or stolen products, but these are the risks you may experience as a shipper. Tamper-evident package seals help reduce your risks because you gain awareness of if and when your products can no longer be sold. This gives you time to contact customers and negotiate a replacement, and it offers evidence to file a claim through your insurance provider.
- Protect Your Customers: Damaged shipments aren’t just bad for business, they can also create dangerous situations for your customers. If someone tampers with your containers, they could damage safety seals, like those on food or drink. Bad actors could also have malicious intent, like when they added cyanide to Tylenol in 1982. When you deliver goods with their seals intact, customers can feel safe. If the seal is broken, they know not to consume that product.
- Comply with Regulations: When transporting goods through US Customs and Border Control, shippers are required to follow guidelines set by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO), specifically the ISO 17712 standard. This regulation defines the need for high-security, tamper-evident seals. These seals must also have unique serial numbers that can be tracked.
How To Find Plastic Truck Seals Near Me: ZipTie.com
If you’re looking for seals that keep your customers safe and your business in compliance, you’ve come to the right place. At ZipTie.com, you can browse our collection of security seals to find the solution you need.
We get it—shipping hasn’t gotten easier over the past several years. However, using the right seals for your shipments can reduce inflated costs and cut down on the chaos of getting your products from point A to point B. At ZipTie.com, our goal is to make finding the perfect seal quick and easy. Here’s what we offer:
- Custom and stock options that help you find exactly what you need—no more, no less. Find the right packing seal material, size, tensile strength, color, serial numbers, and more!
- Laser-etched serial numbers that retain readability even in harsh conditions.
- Orders that ship in as soon as 24-48 hours.
- Plastic seal price scaling that offers better value with higher quantities.
Ready to explore your security seal options? Visit our website or get in touch with our experts to help you. We’re just a phone call (+1 (855) 947-8433) or an email ([email protected]) away!