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Exporters will have to conform to anti-terrorist specs

Exporters to the USA have been advised to secure loaded containers with the highest specification barrier bolt seals in order to avoid delays at US Customs.

This word of warning comes from Aluvin Securiseal managing director Kevin Norwitz, who says his company's US principal, E.J. Brooks, is one of only two seal manufacturers worldwide (and the only one represented in southern Africa) whose seals are accepted by US Customs for C-TPAT purposes.

Versions of the Brooks Intermodal seal that comply with stringent C-TPAT requirements at US Customs

C-TPAT refers to the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, a voluntary initiative launched in the USA by government and industry in the wake of 11 September to increase border security. Companies that implement enhanced security procedures are certified by US Customs as C-TPAT members and 'rewarded' by benefits such as fewer customs inspections and faster processing of cargo. C-TPAT puts the emphasis on self-policing rather than customs verifications, and the more C-TPAT partners in your supply chain, the less chance your cargo will be inspected.

It is envisaged that C-TPAT membership will in future become a US Customs requirement for service providers ranging from manufacturers and retailers to warehouse operators, freight forwarders, carriers and brokers. "ISO standards for mechanical seals are currently being determined. In the meantime, independent tests show that E.J. Brooks Intermodal seals meet and exceed the minimum specification requirements for mechanical bolt seals under Category D of the ASTM 1157-90 strength tests for US Customs' acceptance," says Norwitz. "Currently only two manufacturers' seals fully conform to Category D requirements. One of these manufacturers is E.J. Brooks."

The sole E.J. Brooks distributor in southern Africa, Aluvin, annually supplies hundreds of thousands of barrier bolt seals for use on containers. The company also distributes and manufactures many other Brooks seals under licence.

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