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American Casting & Manufacturing offers an extensive line of tamper-evident security seals, tapes and security labels for a wide variety of industries and applications. Our products are available in a variety of sizes and breaking strengths, and come with customizable options to ensure the highest security.
A tamper-evident security seal is a single-use device that creates visible proof of access if a container, package, or closure has been interfered with. It does not function like a lock; it functions like a witness. Once broken or removed, the evidence cannot be concealed. Types range from lightweight plastic pull-tight seals for everyday tamper evidence to hardened steel bolt seals required for international ocean freight under C-TPAT.
Tamper-evident means the seal reveals interference. Once broken, the breach is immediately visible and cannot be hidden. Tamper-proof is a marketing term; no mechanical seal is physically impossible to defeat given enough time and the right tools. The real value of a tamper-evident seal is deterrence, chain-of-custody documentation, and the audit trail it creates, not the illusion of an impenetrable barrier.
The primary categories are plastic pull-tight seals, fixed-length plastic seals, padlock seals, cable seals, bolt seals, metal strap seals, and wire seals, each suited to different security levels and applications. ISO 17712 classifies them into three classes: Indicative (Class I), Security (Class S), and High Security (Class H). Your choice depends on the container type, the tools a would-be violator could realistically access, and whether your shipment requires certified compliance documentation.
ISO 17712:2013 defines three classes based on physical resistance: Indicative (I), Security (S), and High Security (H). If you ship international ocean containers or operate under C-TPAT, BASC, or similar programs, ISO 17712 High Security (H)-rated bolt seals or cable seals are required by customs authorities worldwide. For domestic, lower-risk, or internal compliance applications, indicative plastic seals are generally the correct and more cost-effective choice.
Bolt seals use a strong steel pin and locking body designed to resist pulling, cutting, and crushing. They require industrial bolt cutters to remove and are the standard for international container shipping under C-TPAT. Cable seals use a flexible steel cable that threads through irregular or misaligned hasps where a rigid bolt will not reach, making them more versatile for tanker valves, rail cars, and awkward locking points. When hasp holes are perfectly aligned on a standard container door, a bolt seal is typically preferred for its resistance to drill attacks and brute force.
Start by checking the sequential serial number or barcode against your seal log, since every seal issued should be tracked from application to removal. Then inspect the seal body and locking mechanism for signs of forced entry, cutting, stress marks, or chemical attack. ISO 17712 High Security seals carry an H stamp and the manufacturer's identity mark, making substitution or cloning significantly harder to conceal even if someone replaces a broken seal with a different one.
Yes. Most seal types, including plastic pull-tight seals, bolt seals, and cable seals, can be printed or laser-engraved with your company name, logo, sequential serial numbers, or barcodes. Custom sequential numbering is especially critical for audit trail integrity, since it makes it immediately detectable if a seal has been swapped or cloned. Contact American Casting and Manufacturing at (800) 342-0333 to discuss specifications and minimum order quantities.
The correct removal tool depends on the seal type. Plastic pull-tight seals and padlock seals can be cut with side-cutters or snips. Cable seals require dedicated cable cutters. High-security bolt seals must be removed with industrial bolt cutters, and that requirement is intentional, as it deters opportunistic tampering. Always record the serial number before cutting, inspect the removed seal for any evidence of prior tampering, and document the removal in your seal log before disposal.
Utility meters and truck container doors are among the most recognized applications. Utilities rely on meter seals to detect unauthorized access to gas, water, or electrical equipment, while a bolt seal on a container door hasp is the standard for ocean freight. In healthcare, pharmaceutical companies use void labels to document package integrity from manufacturer to pharmacy. Fire extinguisher pins are another common example, a small plastic pull-tight seal threads through the safety pin so any discharge or unauthorized access is immediately visible without touching the extinguisher.
Yes. American Casting and Manufacturing has produced security seals at its Plainview, New York facility since 1910. As a fourth-generation, family-owned domestic manufacturer and not a reseller, nearly all AC&M seals are made in the USA. This means tighter quality control, faster lead times, and the ability to accommodate custom and rush orders without the delays of overseas sourcing. We can also provide documentation for compliance programs that require American-made products.