Maersk Line container seals compliant with the new high security seal standard - ISO 17712:2010
13 February 2012
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), USA, has notified customers who are part of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) that effective March 1, 2012, the current International Organization for Standardization (ISO) mechanical seal standard (ISO/PAS 17712) will be replaced with a new ISO standard - ISO 17712:2010. This applies for seals on all containers exported or imported from / into the USA.
This means that customers need to ensure that seals affixed to containers as of March 1, 2012 are compliant with ISO (IS) 17712:2010.
All seals provided by Maersk Line worldwide are already compliant with the new ISO mechanical seal standard - ISO 17712:2010.
In cases where the seals are sourced by the shipper, we request customers to ensure that all seals affixed to containers are compliant with the new ISO 17712:2010 effective March 1, 2012.
What the new ISO standard provides:
• 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 seals ability to indicate evidence of tampering.
• A new 18 mm minimum width diameter for bolt seals.
Benefits of the new seal standards include:
• Reduced possibility of cargo theft or tampering.
• Reduced possibility of unauthorized material being inserted into containers or other instruments of
international traffic (IIT).
• Reducing shipping delays that result when seals are missing or broken.
