Container Security Seal Standards

Container Security Seal Standards

Dear Valued Customers,

This is to notify you that all Ocean Network Express containers arriving in the United States or Canada as Import shipments or as Freight Remaining on Board (FROB) are required to be sealed with high-security seals. These seals must meet or exceed the International Standard of ISO/PAS 17712. This standard is a global requirement recognized by CBP, CBSA, and the WCO.

ONE is issuing this reminder due to recent U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforcement actions which include penalties being assessed for related infractions under 6 USCS 944 involving missing seals and/or seals that do not meet the ISO standards. For export shipments from the United States or Canada, it is highly recommended to utilize ISO approved bolt seals. This has become a requirement in many locations including Chittagong, Pakistan, and Egypt recently.  

Any applicable penalty assessment will be the responsibility of the cargo owner (Shipper) as agreed to under the Bill of Lading terms involving Merchant’s Responsibility.

Tips to help secure the Supply Chain:
Transit delays in the supply chain mean that loaded containers are not continuously on the move.  

Whenever containers are stationary, they become vulnerable to potential theft or seal compromise. Protecting our supply chain is critical and in an effort to maintain security, we have outlined a few things you need to consider when shipping internationally:    

• Cargo Insurance: Protect your cargo against the unexpected by purchasing appropriate levels of cargo insurance.
• Customs Penalties: In many countries, Customs will issue penalties for improper sealing of loaded containers. 
• Loading: Place any small valuable items away from the container doors. Secure cargo so that the cargo remains stable in the event of a seal break. If your container is compromised, how the container is packed makes a difference as petty thieves are usually after items that can be easily removed & carried away, and smugglers are looking for shipments that will allow contraband to be easily accessed.
• Seal Type: Shippers are required to affix a high-security seal that meets or exceeds ISO 17712:2013 criteria on all loaded containers for international transit. 
• Seal Placement: After closing the container doors, seals should be placed in the Securacam position at the bottom of the left locking bar of the right container door. If a seal sticker is used, it must be placed in the center of the doors.  See figure below:
• Additional Security: Optionally you can place an inner wall brace near the container doors or tieing the top of the doors together with a figure-8 security cable that is generally out of reach. This increases the difficulty of opening the doors and may lead a petty thief to look elsewhere.

Recommended Seal Placement:

Relevant links:

73 FR 46029. Container Seals on Maritime Cargo

6 U.S.C. §944. Container security standards and procedures

UP Seal Requirements

BNSF Seal Security 

ONE continues to pursue all avenues to secure the supply chain with our customers, vendors, and partners. If you have any questions, please contact our ONE Import Customer Service via Live Chat or 844-413-6029 option 2.

We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing ONE!

Sincerely, 

Ocean Network Express (North America) Inc.

PDF version available here.