Each business has to contend with its own set of challenges when it comes to securing goods, equipment, or cash while in transit. Selecting an appropriate security seal is not merely a matter of choosing the most inexpensive solution—it's a matter of choosing a seal that reflects your industry threats, type of cargo, and operational requirements.

A brief guide to the best security seals for various industries:

1. Logistics and Transport

Typical Risks:

Unauthorised access, theft, and manipulation while in transit domestically or internationally.

Recommended Seals:

Bolt seals for export containers and high-value cargo.
Cable seals for truck doors, tankers, and railcars.
Plastic pull-tight seals for bags, pallets, and secondary doors.
Reusable padlocks for internal truck or warehouse storage where repeated access is required.

Why:

The logistics sector requires layered security. One-time-use seals such as bolt and cable seals offer tamper evidence, while reusable padlocks provide controlled key-based locking for short-haul or internal transportation.

2. Pharmaceutical Industry

Typical Risks:

Product tampering, contamination, and theft in storage and distribution.

Recommended Seals:

Serial numbered or barcoded plastic pull-tight seals for carton boxes, drums, and high pharma shipments.
Optional: Tamper-evident labels on small packaging units.

Why:

Pharma businesses require traceability, regulatory conformity, and fast visual inspection features. Plastic seals offer cost-effective, tamper-evident options that satisfy these demands.

3. Retail and Cash Handling

Common Risks:

Pilferage and tampering in cash transfers, ATM cassette movement, or store-to-bank logistics.

Recommended Seals:

Plastic pull-tight seals for cash pouches and courier bags.
Wire seals for document bags and locked cash boxes.
Disposable padlocks as a higher-strength option than wire seals when added tamper resistance is necessary. 

Why:

Grocery stores require affordable yet effective tamper-evident solutions. For sensitive or high-value shipments, disposable padlocks provide increased strength and visible deterrence over regular wire seals.

4. Food and Beverage Industry

Typical Risks:

Food product and packaged food contamination and tampering or bulk liquid shipment.

Recommended Seals:

Food-grade plastic pull-tight seals for cartons, crates, and packaging.
Cable seals for bulk food containers or large tankers.

Why:

Food and beverage companies require seals that are safe for indirect food contact, simple to examine, and tamper-evident for consumer safety and compliance.

5. Garment Industry

Common Risks:

Theft of products, pilferage during transport, and tampering with packaging.

Recommended Seals:

Plastic pull-tight seals for bulk garment boxes and bags.
Wire seals for locking metal trunks, trolleys, or containers used during bulk movement between factories, warehouses, and stores.
One-time-use padlocks for added tamper resistance on high-value garment shipments.

Why:

Garment manufacturers and exporters often ship products in bulk bags, cartons, or metal trunks. Lightweight plastic seals help track and secure everyday shipments, while wire seals or disposable padlocks offer better deterrence for high-value or export consignments.

6. Utilities and Energy

Common Risks:

Illicit meter reading, tampering with equipment, and valve or control panel manipulation.

Recommended Seals:

Electric meter, gas meter, and valve wire seals.
Large utility boxes, transformer units, or control cabinet wire rope seals.

Why:

Utility businesses require seals that accommodate small, unique locking points with visible evidence of tampering. Wire rope seals have greater pull strength and are best suited for the larger enclosures that need increased security.

Final Word

Each industry has its own set of operational risks, and selecting the proper security seal can eliminate losses, non-compliance, or loss of customer trust.

Still not sure which seal is best for your company? Speak with our experts today—we will suggest the correct solution for your particular application.