What is a critical requirement for container security under MSCs?

• A. Use of tamper-evident seals only at arrival
• B. Acceptable to reuse seals if damaged
• C. Seal management is optional
• D. Use of tamper-evident seals, proper seal management, and maintaining integrity of containers from stuffing to arrival

Answer: (D)

End-to-end container security under MSCs hinges on a holistic approach: using tamper-evident seals, having a robust seal management process, and preserving the container’s integrity from stuffing to arrival. The tamper-evident seal provides visible evidence if tampering occurs and helps establish a clear chain of custody. Proper seal management means assigning unique seals, recording their numbers, tracking them through every handoff, and preventing reuse or substitution of damaged seals. Maintaining integrity from the moment the container is stuffed until it reaches its destination ensures security controls are effective throughout the entire journey and that any breach is detectable. Relying on only one aspect—seals at arrival, reusing damaged seals, or treating seal management as optional—creates gaps that adversaries could exploit. Therefore, the best practice is the combination of seals, management, and maintaining container integrity across the whole process.