Security Seals are still the first defence against fraud in the supply chain and equipping your Team with the right seal for the job is vital for the efficient control and management of your distribution system. 

At a time where digital solutions are taking over all areas of industry, the humble plastic or metal security seals could be seen as the “past”, however that instant, visual integrity check is still a quick and valuable benefit in a fast moving industry that thrives on control and efficiency. 

First and foremost, a seal is used to protect the individuals responsible for handling goods in transit; they are often the first suspects when something goes missing. Poorly performing seals puts trust and integrity at risk, so insist on good value rather than low price alone and consider the level of risk before deciding on the seal to use.

Where indicative security is all that is needed, a plastic strip seal may be perfect for the job but, if the load is of high value and/or will be left for a time unattended, in a trailer park or on a ferry for example, then consider using a barrier-type seal that will prevent opportunistic access.

Below are a few of the leading products in Unisto’s transport seal portfolio, providing some guidance as to the most suitable seal for your application. 

Integer

Category: fixed length seal. Material: polypropylene. Operating length: 180mm or 220mm, break strength circa 8kg.

Typical applications: securing vehicle door latches.

This popular seal is used to secure vehicle latches on rear roller shutter or barn doors. The seal break point is clearly visible outside the locking housing. The indicative locking finger is visible and shows free movement (showing that the seal has not been glued or heat welded) when sealed correctly. The seal can be collected after use and recycled with other polypropylene packaging items.

Indicator

Category: fixed length seal. Material: polypropylene and polyoxymethylene (POM). Operating length: 181mm, break strength circa 11kg.

Typical applications: securing vehicle door latches.

A high-security version of the Integer, with an enhanced double-locking security mechanism in polyacetal that is resistant to high temperatures and gives the Indicator a high level of tamper resistance. The Indicator’s end protrudes through the cap showing free movement and indicating correct sealing.

Indicator contains both polypropylene and polyacetal enhancing its tamper evident properties, both materials can be recycled individually although, as a compound product, Indicator cannot be recycled without first separating the component parts. 

T Seal

Category: Steel fixed length seal. Operating length 180mm. Break strength: circa 70kg.

Typical applications: securing vehicle doors against opportunistic access.

This high-quality metal strip seal provides a barrier against opportunistic access to vehicle loads. The T Seal is simple to fit and easy to check for tamper evidence. Please note that this seal requires cutters or snips for removal and it is recommended to wear protective gloves to prevent skin abrasion during removal. Fully recyclable with your metals recycling.

Metalo 15 / 30 / 50

Category: Metalo 30 and Metalo 50 barrier seals are ISO17712 certified and C-TPAT compliant. Operating length 250mm and 300mm.

Typical applications: securing vehicle doors and TIR cords against opportunistic access. For securing trailers or intermodal containers, the Metalo has colour-coded, anodised aluminium body, laser etched with serial number and company name or “SEALED”. The Metalo contains an integrated steel locking mechanism. Both the locking mechanism and the cable end are double crimped for additional security. The tamper-evident steel cable fans out when cut, preventing rethreading. Available with either 1.5mm, 3mm or 5mm cable, strength circa 250 to 1,500kg according to cable thickness. Please note that the Metalo requires cutters for removal and protective gloves and eyewear are recommended to avoid accidental injury. Metalo is fully recyclable with your metals recycling.

Genius Solid

Category: Plastic coated bolt seal (requiring specialist cutters for removal). 

Typical applications: securing trailers and intermodal containers.

This competitively priced bolt seal has been tested to a tensile strength of over 1,000kg.

The Genius Solid requires bolt cutters for removal and protective gloves and eyewear are recommended to avoid injury.

Hi Genius

Category: bolt seal ISO 17712 certified and C-TPAT compliant. HMRC Group 1 accepted.

Typical applications: securing trailers and intermodal containers.

A high-security bolt seal with anti-spin tamper evident feature and auto number alignment for ease of checking. With a tensile strength tested to more than 2,000kg, the Hi Genius is packed in number sequence for enhanced efficiency and control.

Hi Genius requires bolt cutters to remove and protective eyewear and gloves are recommended for safe removal. Both Genius Solid and Hi Genius Seals can be disposed of with your metals recycling.

Reusable Electronic Seals

The Unisto range of reusable seals each take the place of up to 35,000 plastic indicative security seals and, as such, they constitute an environmental benefit. At London Heathrow Airport, the use of C2K and Manta on airside vehicles has helped clear the local environment of many hundreds of thousands of single use plastic seals that used to litter the local catering and warehouse units, without compromising security. With a lit LED number display, these seals are ideally suited to 24/7 365 day working conditions.

Unisto’s reusable electronic seals contain embedded lithium batteries that can be disposed of at end of life at your WEEE recycling centre.

C2K

Category: reusable electronic security seal.

Typical applications: securing latch gear on roller shutter or barn doors.

This is a simple to operate, fit-and-forget reusable seal for trailers, rigids and vans. Applications can be sealed with cable hasp or using remote sensors where several doors can be secured with one seal.

The high power lithium cell battery provides approximately 35,000 sealings.

Manta

Category: reusable electronic security seal. Typical applications: securing roller shutter, barn doors and bulk tankers.

Reusable seal for trailers, rigids and vans. Integral 100 sealing event back-track facility. Applications can be sealed with cable hasp, or using remote sensors that can secure multiple doors or tanker hatches.

Approximately 35,000 sealings per seal lifetime.

Straplock Seal V1 and V2

Category: tool-closing seal to secure pallet or carton strapping.

V1: Secures polypropylene strapping 8mm to 10mm wide at crossing points, rendering the strapping tamper-evident. The Straplock V1 is applied with either a hand or electric applicator.

V2: Secures polypropylene strapping up to 18mm wide at crossing points, rendering the strapping tamper-evident. A brass pin positioned centrally perforates the strapping for additional security on wider strapping. The Straplock V2 is applied with either a hand or electric applicator. Straplock is manufactured in ABS and can be recycled.

Varis Security Strap Seal

Category: pull-tight security seal. Operating length (maximum): 330mm. Break strength circa 52kg.

Typical applications: securing roll cages, tote boxes and bags.

The Varis is a highly robust seal, perfect for securing cages, bags or tote boxes in tough environments Varis has a stainless steel locking system, and requires a safety knife or scissors for removal. 

Varis is a compound product of PP and stainless steel and, as such, it cannot be recycled.

Safety Cutter Kit

Category: Cutters

Typical applications: safe removal of barrier type seals from trailers and intermodal containers.

The safe alternative to bolt croppers, the Unisto Safety Cutter Kit provides all that is needed to remove steel bolt, cable and metal strip seals at point of delivery. A battery-powered hydraulic cutter removes bolt seals in seconds at the touch of a button, and scissor-action side cutters slice through wire rope and cables with ease. The kit is completed with protective goggles and gloves and a spare battery for risk-free operation.

Tamper Evident Labels

Category: adhesive VOID Labels

These come in two basic types, residue leaving and non-residue leaving labels.

For van doors and aircraft hatches that have no eyelets for a conventional security seal the most suitable label is non-residue leaving. Labels can be branded and numbered and give strong adhesion to a reasonably clean, dry, oil free surface. When removed the label reads with a well-defined VOID message, preventing reuse.

Residue leaving labels and tapes are most often used on outer packaging and leaves a strong VOID message on both substrate and the tape itself.

Unisto Spoor

Spoor is a cloud-based track and trace solution for conventional security seals accessed via a smartphone app. The seal can be scanned, photographed, the captured data with geolocation, date and time stamp stored in the cloud for verification at each step of the supply chain. Once data is uploaded, it cannot be manipulated. The app enables reliable data and location capture and the reassurance that the seal that was fitted at the start of chain is the same seal that arrives at the end. Preventing seal substitution, a known issue for shippers of high value or sensitive goods. 

Many years of industry Service

Over many years, Unisto has built a reputation for innovation, quality and service. A team of specialist sales advisers are on hand to assist and advise you on your choice of sealing solution. Many of the products listed above are available
ex-stock for next-day delivery.

www.unisto.co.uk