(a) Customs seals accepted pursuant to Sec. 24.13a of this chapter shall be used in sealing openings, packages, conveyances, or articles requiring the security provided by such sealing.
(b) Red in-bond and high security red in-bond seals used for sealing imported merchandise shipped between ports in the United States shall be stamped ``U.S. Customs in Bond.'' Uncolored seals used to seal containers of commercial traveler's samples transiting the United States as provided by Sec. 123.52 of this chapter shall be stamped ``Canada-United States Customs.'' [U.S. Transit], and uncolored seals used to seal containers of commercial traveler's samples transiting the United States as provided by Sec. 123.52 of this chapter shall be stamped ``Canada-United States Customs.'' Blue in-transit seals used to seal merchandise transiting foreign territory or waters between ports in the United States as provided in Sec. 123.24 of this chapter shall be stamped ``U.S. Customs In-Transit.'' Yellow in-transit seals used on rail shipments of merchandise and on containers of commercial traveler's samples transiting Canada between U.S. ports as provided in Sec. Sec. 123.24 and 123.51 of this chapter shall be stamped [U.S. Customs] [Can. Transit] for use on railroad cars, and ``United States-Canada Customs'' for use on samples. Uncolored seals used for Customs purposes other than for (1) shipping in bond, (2) shipping by other than a bonded common carrier in accordance with section 553, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, or (3) shipping in transit shall be stamped ``U.S. Customs.'' All seals (except uncolored in-transit seals on containers of commercial traveler's samples and seals for use on airline liquor kits) shall be stamped with the name of the port for which they are ordered. Each strap seal shall be stamped with a serial number. Each automatic metal seal shall be stamped with a symbol number and, when required, with a serial number.
(c) Purchase of seals. Bonded carriers of merchandise, commerical associations representing the foregoing or comparable organizations approved by the port director under paragraph (f) of this section, a foreign trade zone operator and bonded warehouse proprietors may purchase quantity supplies of in-bond and in-transit seals from manufacturers approved under the provisions of Sec. 24.13a. The order shall be prepared by the purchaser and, except as hereinafter noted, shall be confined to seals for use at one port and shall specify the kind and quantity of seals desired, the name of the port at which they are to be used, and the name and address of the consignee to whom they are to be shipped. Seals for use on airline liquor kits need not specify the name of the port at which they are to be used, and orders for such seals need not be confined to seals for use at one port. Carriers and bonded warehouse proprietors may purchase small emergency supplies of in-bond and in-transit seals from port directors, who will keep a supply of such seals for this purpose. An order for green or uncolored in-transit seals shall be submitted to the office of the Director of Customs-Excise Inspection, Ottowa, Canada, for approval and forwarding to the manufacturer. An order for green strap-in bond seals for use on railroad cars must stipulate that the seals are to be consigned to the collector of customs and excise in Canada at the port indicated on the seals for entry purposes and storage under Customs lock and key.
(d) The manufacturer or supplier shall ship the seals to the consignee named in the order and shall advise the director of the port to which the seals are shipped as to the kind and quantity of seals shipped, the name of the port (where required), serial numbers, and symbol number (where required) stamped thereon, the name and address of the consignee, and the date of shipment.
(e) [Reserved]
(f) Port director approval required. In-bond seals may be purchased only by a foreign trade zone operator or Customs bonded warehouse proprietor, a customs bonded carrier, a nonbonded carrier permitted to transport articles in accordance with section 553, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1553) or in the case of red in-bond and high security red in-bond seals, the carrier's commercial association or comparable representative approved by the port director. In-transit seals may be purchased by a bonded or other carrier of merchandise or, in the case of blue in-transit seals, by the carrier's commercial association or comparable representative approved by the port director. Except for uncolored in-transit seals, uncolored Customs seals may not be purchased by private interests and shall be furnished by port directors for authorized use without charge. In-bond and in-transit seals sold by port directors shall be charged for at the rate of 10 cents per seal, except for high security red in-bond seals which shall be charged for at the current manufacturer's list price for the quantity purchased. [28 FR 14808, Dec. 31, 1963]
Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 24.13, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov. Sec. 24.13a Car, compartment, and package seals; and fastenings;standards; acceptance by Customs.
(a) General standards. The seals and fastenings, together, shall
(1) Be strong and durable;
(2) Be capable of being affixed easily and quickly;
(3) Be capable of being checked readily and identified by unique marks (such as a logotype) and numbers;
(4) Not permit removal or undoing without breaking, or tampering without leaving traces;
(5) Not permit use more than once; and
(6) Be made as difficult as possible to copy or counterfeit.
(b) Seal specifications. (1) The shape and size of the seal shall be such that any identifying marks are readily legible.
(1) The shape and size of the seal shall be such that any identifying marks are readily legible.
(2) Each eyelet in a seal shall be of a size corresponding to that of the fastening used, and shall be positioned so that the fastening will be held firmly in place when the seal is closed.
(3) The material used shall be sufficiently strong to prevent accidental breakage, early deterioration (due to weather conditions, chemical action, etc.) or undetectable tampering under normal usage.
(4) The material used shall be selected with reference to the sealing system used.
(c) Fastening specifications. (1) The fastening shall be strong and durable and resistant to weather and corrosion.
(1) The fastening shall be strong and durable and resistant to weather and corrosion.
(2) The length of the fastening used shall not enable a sealed aperture to be opened or partly opened without the seal or fastening being broken or otherwise showing obvious damage.
(3) The material used shall be selected with reference to the sealing system used.
(d) Identification marks. (1) If the seal is to be purchased and used by U.S. Customs, the seal or fastening, as appropriate, shall be marked to show that it is a U.S. Customs seal by application of the words ``U.S. Customs'' and a unique identification number on the seal.
(1) If the seal is to be purchased and used by U.S. Customs, the seal or fastening, as appropriate, shall be marked to show that it is a U.S. Customs seal by application of the words ``U.S. Customs'' and a unique identification number on the seal.
(2) If the seal is to be used by private industry (i.e., a shipper, manufacturer, or carrier), it must be clearly and legibly marked with a unique company name (or logotype) and identification number.
(e) Customs acceptance. Seals will be considered as acceptable for use and/or purchase by U.S. Customs as soon as the manufacturer attests that the seals have been tested and meet or exceed the standards provided in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, and will continue to be considered acceptable until such time as it is demonstrated that they do not meet the standards. A manufacturer may attest to the qualification of a specific seal, or to an entire product line of seals as of a certain date. Any addition of a seal to a group of seals attested to as a group would require specific acceptance of that seal by Customs.
(f) Testing. All testing of seals deemed necessary before Customs acceptance will be done by the manufacturer or by a private laboratory, and not by Customs. However, Customs reserves the right to test, or to have tested, seals that have been accepted by Customs.
(g) Records. The manufacturer's attestation that a seal meets or exceeds the standards specified in this section and, if deemed necessary by Customs, the seal test record shall be sent to the Assistant Commissioner, Field Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Customs Service, Washington DC 20229. [T.D. 81-185, 46 FR 36842, July 16, 1981, as amended by T.D. 91-77, 56 FR 46114, Sept. 10, 1991]