Shipping Container Seals, how the security seal stops anything getting in or out.

Our Self Load Container Service is a great option for moving your home from one country to another, especially when you want to send your furniture items overseas. After you finish loading the container, you are able to lock and seal the container doors. This seal should be intact through to door at the destination side, or only possibly opened by customs and this would be well documented.

What is a container seal?
A container seal is a super strong metal bar that takes defined effort to remove. This makes it a great security device, to deter unauthorized entry and to be able to tell if unauthorized entry occurred. Once you finish loading the container, you’ll place the seal through a hole on the container door handle. This seal has a unique number, documented on your paperwork and on the Master Bill of Lading. When the container arrives at your residence overseas (or in some circumstances, at the destination agent’s warehouse) the seal should be checked to make sure it’s in place and the numbers match.

How do I put on the container seal?
The container door handle slides into a latch, which is attached to the door (see Step 4). The seal is secured by putting the top piece through the hole and pushing the two pieces of the seal together.

Who can open the seal?
Only the customer or delivery crew should cut the seal. Customs is able to cut the seal for an inspection as well, but this is well documented.

What happens if my seal is missing or the numbers don’t match?
Please contact your move coordinator to find out if the seal was cut by customs or if there may have been an unauthorized opening of your container. This would be extremely rare!

How do I get the seal off to open my container?
At the destination end, when you are ready to open the container and unload, you’ll need a large set of bolt cutters or a hacksaw with a metal cutting blade. The seals are made to be tough to open. In most countries, the delivery truck driver will have a pair of bolt cutters and open the container in front of you.

If you have more questions about securing your container or anything else to do with moving and shipping overseas, don’t forget to “Ask The Moving Doctor”
Or call 1 866 868 6386 for the best rates and customer service in the International Moving Industry.
www.upakweship.com