Michael Turner
Why this works: U.S. Transportation Security Administration agents and many international authorities hold tools and master keys to open locks that display the Travel Sentry or Safe Skies logo, then relock after inspection. Noncertified plastic seals and single-use straps are commonly severed when a manual inspection is needed; a certified lock allows inspection without destruction.
How to secure a bag correctly: Choose a certified combination or keyed cable lock from a recognized brand, thread it through the closure pulls, set and record the code, and photograph serial numbers for tamper-evident seals. Place valuables, medications, and documents in carry-on; store clothing and nonessential items in checked baggage secured with the approved device.
What tamper-evident seals do and don’t do: Numbered cable seals and disposable straps provide visible evidence of interference, which helps after-the-fact claims and deterrence, but they do not prevent determined theft and will usually be cut if inspection is required. Keep receipts and photos of seal numbers; if a bag is opened by inspectors, expect a notice inside and, sometimes, a replacement reseal.
Practical precautions: Avoid relying on single-use plastic fasteners for protection. Carry an approved spare lock or cable, register lock codes where appropriate, label checked suitcases with contact data, and verify airline and destination customs rules before travel to prevent surprises at screening points.
Secure fastening recommendations for suitcases
Recommendation: use a Travel Sentry–approved lock or a numbered tamper-evident seal plus a coated steel cable or reinforced strap for carry-on and checked cases.
Hardware choices and why they matter
- Travel Sentry / Safe Skies locks – accepted by most U.S. and international security agencies; officers open with master tools instead of cutting.
- Coated braided-steel cable (3–4 mm core) with combination or padlock – resists basic snips and prevents quick access through the main opening.
- Numbered tamper-evident seals (single-use plastic or metal loop) – visible proof of unauthorized access; record serial numbers and photograph placement.
- Luggage straps with integrated TSA-approved locks – add external compression and make unauthorized opening more obvious while allowing inspection without destruction.
Practical steps before travel
- Secure valuables, electronics and documents in a carry-on compartment you keep with you; pack fragile or high-value items away from checked compartments.
- Apply a TSA-accepted lock to the main closure; complement with a numbered seal on secondary openings or zipper pulls and photograph the sealed configuration and serial numbers.
- Label case exterior with name, phone and email; place a duplicate contact card inside in case tags fall off.
- If using single-use plastic fasteners, expect security or airline staff to cut them during inspection; record the seal number and keep proof of purchase for replacements.
- Upon arrival, inspect the case immediately. Report any tampering or damage to the carrier at the airport baggage office and keep the damaged item and boarding pass for claims.
Risks and limits: airport security retains the authority to open checked items; non-approved hardware is frequently cut and discarded. Treat seals and secondary fasteners as tamper indicators rather than theft-proof locks. For high-value shipments consider specialized freight services with ISO 17712–rated seals and insurance rather than standard checked carriage.
TSA and airport policies: Sealing options for checked baggage
Recommendation: use a TSA-recognized lock (Travel Sentry or Safe Skies logo) instead of one-use plastic cable seals on checked baggage; U.S. Transportation Security Administration agents will cut non-approved seals during inspections and are not liable for resulting damage.
TSA practice and U.S. rules
TSA will open any container for inspection if required. Approved locks that display a Travel Sentry or Safe Skies mark allow agents to use a master key rather than destroying a closure. Single-use plastic seals and non-approved cable seals are permitted aboard aircraft in the sense they are not banned, but TSA routinely severs them when an inspection occurs. If a non-approved seal is cut, TSA guidance says the agency does not repair or replace closures; airlines and airports may also decline responsibility.
Airport and international differences – actionable steps
Policies differ by carrier and country. Some international airports or carriers enforce stricter controls and may use different inspection procedures that result in cut seals. Before departure: 1) Verify the carrier’s baggage-security rules on its website; 2) Check security-agency rules for origin, transit and destination countries (e.g., U.S. TSA, EU rules, CATSA in Canada); 3) Avoid sealing valuables–place them in carry-on; 4) Photograph packed items and any serialized seal or device; 5) Use a TSA-approved locking device or an approved cable lock with recognizable logo; 6) Retain baggage claim tags, boarding passes and receipts for any damage or tampering claims and file the airline’s Property Irregularity Report (PIR) promptly following the carrier’s stated deadlines.
Does a cable seal deter theft or alert to tampering?
Short answer: Use disposable plastic security seals only to reveal interference; they are not a reliable barrier against theft.
Practical testing and user reports show that basic single-use plastic seals delay an opportunistic intruder by seconds rather than minutes. Routine tools (scissors, pliers, pocket knife) remove most seals in approximately 5–20 seconds; cutting leaves visible damage but does not prevent property removal.
What a seal does reliably: shows signs of tampering through breakage, broken numbering or a displaced filament. Purchase seals with unique serial numbers or barcodes and photograph the number and placement before handing off a checked item. A clearly recorded serial reduces plausibly deniable tampering during subsequent claims or inspections.
What a seal does not do: stop determined thieves, prevent stealth removal through seams or lining, or replace a certified lock. For theft reduction, pair a serialized seal with a hardened lock on the main closure and internal security pouches for high-value items.
Recommended setup: choose a tamper-evident seal with visible serial/barcode; apply so the seal crosses an obvious seam or zipper pull; photograph the seal from two angles and timestamp the image. Combine with a small keyed or TSA-recognized lock for the primary closure and place passports, electronics and cash in carry-on or internal locked pockets.
Inspection routine on arrival: immediately compare photographed serials to the installed seal; if broken or missing, document damage with multiple photos, note missing items, and file a report with the carrier and local authorities. Retain all packaging and receipts for claims.
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Attach a cable fastener to slider tabs without breaking them
Use a 100 mm (4 in) nylon cable fastener, 3.6 mm wide, plus a 10–12 mm stainless steel split ring; pass the split ring through both slider tabs, feed the fastener through the ring and tighten only until snug – stop if any plastic, coated metal or fabric shows bending or fraying.
Required items
100 mm nylon fasteners (3.6 mm width); 10–12 mm stainless split ring; heat-shrink tubing (6 mm ID); flush cutters; needle-nose pliers or small flat screwdriver; optional small metal washer (8–10 mm) for fragile slider tabs.
Step-by-step technique
1) Reinforce soft or stitched tabs: slide a 10 mm length of heat-shrink over the fabric loop and apply heat to stiffen the area; for thin stamped metal tabs, place a small washer between tab and split ring to spread load.
2) Thread the split ring through both slider tabs so the ring sits centered; this equalizes force across both sliders and eliminates twisting that causes breakage.
3) Feed the fastener tail through the split ring’s opening; use needle-nose pliers to guide the tail if access is restricted. Keep the head parallel to the tab plane to avoid levering the tab edge.
4) Tighten slowly while holding the sliders aligned; target a firm fit with no vertical play but avoid over-tension. For a 3.6 mm fastener, 5–8 mm of engagement past the locking pawl is typically adequate for security without excess preload.
5) Trim the excess flush with cutters leaving a 2–3 mm stub; smooth the cut end with a file or carefully melt the tip with a soldering iron to remove a sharp edge (do not use open flame near fabric).
6) For repeated access, replace single-use fasteners with a small keyed cable lock or reusable plastic loop-lock; these reduce wear on slider tabs and eliminate repeated stress that leads to failure.
If TSA cuts a plastic security seal: protect contents and replace a closure
Immediate actions at the carousel or claims desk
Photograph everything right away: exterior of the bag, torn seal remnants, inspection notice left by screeners, baggage tag, and all exposed contents. Preserve originals of receipts for high-value items; take a written inventory with approximate values and serial numbers where applicable.
Keep the bag and all removed packaging intact until after reporting. Ask the airline agent and the airport’s security office for a written incident report or reference number. If theft or damage is suspected, request local police to file a report on site and obtain that report number.
Documenting and filing claims
Submit claims to both the carrier and the Transportation Security Administration via their online claims portals; attach photos, the inventory, boarding pass, baggage claim ticket, and any receipts. Record the claim reference numbers and save email confirmations. Many carriers require notice within 24–48 hours for damage or missing-item complaints, so act immediately.
Retain the inspection tag and any fragments of the broken fastener as physical evidence; keep the bag for inspection if either agency requests it. If you must leave the airport, copy all documentation to your phone and back up images to cloud storage.
For suspected theft of valuables, escalate: contact the airline’s lost-and-found and the airport police, and follow up with the carrier’s baggage service office until you receive a formal disposition.
Replace seals and secure contents before travel continues: use clear resealable plastic pouches for small valuables, wrap fragile items in clothing, and redistribute irreplaceable items to carry-on if available.
Use a numbered tamper-evident plastic seal or a Travel Sentry–approved lock as the replacement closure; record the seal number and keep the receipt pack. Store spare seals in your carry-on for quick resealing after an inspection.
Which cable seals or tamper-evident seals airlines accept
Use Travel Sentry–approved locks for standard checked bags; for air cargo, ULDs and freight request ISO 17712:2013-certified mechanical cable seals (high-security class) from your forwarder or airline agent.
Passenger checked baggage – practical options
- Travel Sentry / Safe Skies locks: recognized by most U.S. and international screening authorities; accepted and less likely to be destroyed by security personnel.
- Single-use pull-through plastic seals with printed serial numbers: occasionally accepted for oversized or owner-declared items (golf clubs, musical instruments). Record and photograph serials before handing over.
- Tamper-indicating adhesive strips (tamper-evident security labels): accepted as evidence of interference but not as a theft-prevention barrier; choose labels with VOID or frangible construction and unique codes.
Cargo, ULDs and high-value consignments – industrial seals
- ISO 17712:2013 mechanical cable seals – specify “high security” (Class 1) when booking cargo. These seals have hardened steel components and unique serials and meet many carrier/security regulations.
- Lead-seal alternatives and bolt seals – used for containers and pallets; carriers require certified seals with tamper-evident features and traceable serial numbers for chain-of-custody records.
- Electronic tamper devices and RFID-enabled seals – accepted by some freight handlers for monitored shipments; verify carrier capability to read and log electronic seal data.
Selection checklist before travel or shipment:
- Confirm carrier or airport-specific policy in writing (email or web page) about acceptable seal types.
- Use seals with unique serial numbers and keep a dated photo and manifest entry; provide serials to the airline/handler when requested.
- For passenger checked articles expect security authorities to remove non-approved seals; choose seals that minimize damage to the item when cut.
- For cargo consignments demand ISO 17712 certification and include seal numbers on transport documents (air waybill, ULD manifest).
Security alternatives for baggage: locks, straps, and tamper-evident seals
Recommendation: combine a Travel Sentry–approved lock with a wide compression strap and a single-use numbered seal for layered protection and tamper evidence.
Locks – use a certified lock carrying the Travel Sentry or Safe Skies logo so screened agents can open and relock without destroying it. Combination locks cost roughly $10–$35; keyed TSA-approved locks $12–$40. Inline cable locks (braided steel with protective coating) add flexibility for multiple sliders; rated resistance is modest (delay, not forced-entry prevention). Record the combination or key code and photograph the lock and position of the closure before check-in.
Straps – choose a 2–3″ wide woven strap with a metal cam buckle or heavy-duty quick-release buckle. Typical price range $8–$25. Benefits: prevents accidental opening, reduces strain on seams, provides a highly visible identifier (bright color or patterned). Select straps with reflective panels or an integrated ID sleeve for contact details. Place the strap across the main body and run under handles to resist snags.
Tamper-evident seals – options include pull-tight polymer seals, small cable seals, and adhesive tamper labels. Single-use pull-tight seals cost $0.10–$0.50 each; steel or aluminum cable seals cost $0.80–$3.00 each. Look for unique serialized numbers or barcodes; record the serial and take a photo. Plastic pull-tight seals indicate access by showing broken strands; cable seals resist casual tampering better but still can be cut with tools.
| Option | Typical unit cost | Reusable | Deterrence vs casual theft | Tamper indication | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Sentry / TSA‑approved lock | $10–$40 | Yes | Moderate (delays opportunistic theft) | No (prevents easy opening; no single-use seal) | Checked compartments where official inspection may occur |
| Inline cable lock | $15–$45 | Yes | Moderate (flexible routing, more secure than thin plastic) | No | Securing sliders to frame or handles when padlocks not possible |
| Compression / ID strap (2–3″) | $8–$25 | Yes | Low (prevents accidental opening; visible deterrent) | No | Preventing burst openings; quick visual ID |
| Pull-tight polymer seal (serialized) | $0.10–$0.50 | No | Low–Moderate (good visual evidence; easily cut with tools) | Yes (broken or missing) | Marking a bag after packing; documenting seal number |
| Small cable seal (serialized) | $0.80–$3.00 | No | Moderate (tougher to remove without tools) | Yes | When stronger tamper indication required; commercial shipments |
| Adhesive tamper label | $0.05–$0.25 | No | Low (shows attempted opening or lifting) | Yes (void pattern or delamination) | Sealing internal compartments or cases within a main bag |
Practical combinations: for checked bags, secure sliders with a Travel Sentry lock, wrap a compression strap across the case, then run a serialized pull-tight or cable seal through corresponding closure points and photograph the serial number. For carry-on, prioritize a lightweight lock on the main compartment and a visible ID strap; single-use seals add little benefit when the owner retains control.
Packing notes: place valuables in carry items or a soft pouch within the main case; use internal hard cases or wrap fragile items in clothing to reduce temptation and damage. Always keep documentation of serial numbers and photos accessible (cloud storage or emailed to self) for any claim or inspection follow-up.
