SDDC OPERATIONS CENTER
CUSTOMER ADVISORY
June 24, 2008
CA-08-06/24-0144
Subject: Security Seals on MILVANs and ISO Shipping Containers
Background: A security seal is a device that serves as an indication of tampering or
unauthorized opening. If designed and attached properly, a seal must be severed or
mutilated before entry is possible. Security Seals are used by both government and
industry to indicate tampering or unauthorized opening of a container, door, or item.
Recently, the United States Customs and Border Protection (C&BP) Agency highlighted
a vulnerability in the current process in which Security Seals are being applied to
sensitive cargo shipments. C&BP noticed individuals can access into certain designed
shipping containers without damaging the Security Seal by bending back the door
retention plate, also called the Customs Catch, per MIL-HDBK-138B (diagram shown
below). The door retention plate is permanently affixed to the right door of a container.
Once bent back, individuals can release the left door locking bar from its hasp, and open
the left door.
Guidance: DOD now requires all DOD AA&E shipping activities to apply DOD
approved Security Seals to both the left and right door on all AA&E shipments moving in
MILVANs or ISO Shipping Containers designed with a door retention plate. In these
situations, both Security Seals serial numbers should be recorded on the BL. Shipments
of AA&E procured for the DOD originating from commercial vendors may still have a
single Security Seal until the contract terms can be updated to reflect this new
requirement.