U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently advised
members of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism that effective March
1 the current International Organization for Standardization (ISO) mechanical
seal standard (ISO/PAS 17712) will be replaced with new standard ISO 17712:2010.
CBP is not requiring C-TPAT participants to discard any high-security container seals that may not comply with the new standard that are currently in stock but is encouraging them to purchase compliant seals when their existing stocks are exhausted. CBP also states that when C-TPAT companies transition to new seals they should request documentation (lab reports) to confirm that the seals comply with the new standard.
CBP is not requiring C-TPAT participants to discard any high-security container seals that may not comply with the new standard that are currently in stock but is encouraging them to purchase compliant seals when their existing stocks are exhausted. CBP also states that when C-TPAT companies transition to new seals they should request documentation (lab reports) to confirm that the seals comply with the new standard.
CBP states that the updated standard includes the following requirements: testing to determine a seal’s classification for physical strength (as a barrier of entry), process auditing of the manufacturer’s security-related business practices, testing (pass/fail) of a seal’s ability to indicate evidence of tampering, and a new 18mm minimum width diameter for bolt seals.
CBP adds that benefits of complying with the revised standard include a reduced possibility of cargo theft or tampering, fewer shipping delays resulting from missing or broken seals, and easier detection of compromised seals.
