How using E-seals can improve your transit monitoring performance

The use of seals to secure container doors or valves is widely spread and has proved its effectiveness for a long time now, yet Customs authorities are still inevitably challenged by illicit behaviours. Today’s technological improvement makes it possible to offer Customs with high-performance tools to increase their performances and enhance security while facilitating trade.

Seals are no exception to this evolution and are becoming increasingly sophisticated in order to best meet the challenges of Customs with regards to Customs transit.

The new generation of seals, called electronic seals or e-seals, are continuously improving their effectiveness by offering numerous options for tracking and securing of consignments. Unlike traditional seals which are single use and only allow a limited number of securing options, e-seals are reusable and combine the robustness required to secure containers with technology to guarantee the integrity of cargoes.

Upgrading to electronic seals may require an investment for Customs Administration but the benefits rapidly outweigh the cost. Among the many features which are available for e-seals, we have selected a few which considerably help Customs improve their performances:

  • A long-lasting battery, our Cotrack® solution for example offers electronic seals with an autonomy of 30 days. Ensuring the good operation of the e-seals until the consignment reaches its destination.
  • Special seals with sensors for humidity, light or temperature are also available, allowing for example to secure and monitor perishable goods.
  • An internal memory can also be included in the e-seals, to store important transit data such as transit number, Customs declaration, seal number or radioscopic images. It creates a paperless environment and ensure the accuracy of information, therefore reducing the risk of fraud.
  • Several means of communication are generally available with the aim of ensuring uninterrupted communication throughout the transit. The most commonly used being RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) which allows for low range communication. These e-seals can communicate in real time with the main device in order to alert in case of unauthorised opening of the container and accurately record and alert on the time and exact location of the abnormal event to help Customs agents take the appropriate actions.

E-seals combine the mechanical plastic seals characteristics with automatic identification offered by RFID technology and preventing tampering or replication of the seal. The combinations of options provide Customs Authorities with a strong solution to eventually simplify, accelerate and streamline customs process while increasing the securing of cargoes and facilitating trade. Additionally, it improves the trade conditions in the region by creating a safer environment for the movement of goods.

Read our article on how transit monitoring helps Customs worldwide, to better understand the benefits of tracking solutions to curb illicit behaviours and improve revenue collection for Customs. Cotecna supports Customs worldwide in their transit monitoring projects by sharing our expertise and valuable experience with them.

To learn more about our Cotrack solution.

 

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