Mechanical tamper-evident high security seal and method of use to secure a cargo container

A method of security sealing and tamper-proofing a container for shipping, said method comprising the steps of:

• associating a uniquely identified mechanical security seal with a uniquely identified container;
• inserting a mechanical security seal metallic pin having an upper banner with a unique identifying indicia formed thereon through a pair of aligned openings adapted to receive a lock on a door closure structure of the container such that the door cannot be opened without removing the metallic pin;
• sleeving a locking receptacle having a plurality of locks therein and a lower banner with an identical identifying indicia over the metallic pin until all locks engage the metallic pin;
• adhesively applying a tamper proof adhesive label to an area of a door-frame interface area of the container such that opening the door will fracture the tamper proof adhesive label, the tamper proof adhesive label including at least one tamper-evident feature and further including a visual depiction of the mechanical security seal printed thereon wherein the visual depiction includes the unique identifying indicia;
• adhesively applying an identification adhesive label to a shipping document separate from the container wherein the shipping document includes the unique identifier of the container and the identification adhesive label includes a visual depiction of the mechanical security seal printed thereon wherein the visual depiction also includes the unique identifying indicia, wherein an association between said security seal, said tamper proof label and said identification label provides the user proof of unauthorized tampering of the shipping container door and contents of the container.

A tampering and data security kit for a shipping container door and shipment, said kit comprising:

• a mechanical security seal for sealingly secure said container door, said security seal including a metallic pin and a lock receptacle for receiving said pin, said seal further including an unalterable visible unique identifier;
• a tamper proof adhesive label including at least one tamper-evident feature and including a visual depiction of said mechanical security seal printed thereon to associate said tampering proof adhesive label to said mechanical security seal, said visual depiction including said unique identifier, wherein said sealing security adhesive label is provided for attachment to the shipping container door such that the sealing security adhesive label spans an opening between the shipping container door and an adjacent surface which would cause at least one of fracturing and tearing of the tamper proof security adhesive label when the door is opened;
• an identification adhesive label including a visual depiction of said mechanical security seal printed thereon, said visual depiction including said unique identifier, wherein said identification adhesive label is provided for attachment to a shipping document associated with the shipment being protected by the mechanical security seal;
• said association between said security seal, said tamper proof label and said identification label provides the user proof of unauthorized tampering of the shipping container door and contents of the container.