Overview
ISO 18185-2:2007 - "Freight containers - Electronic seals - Part 2: Application requirements" defines application-level requirements for electronic seals (e-seals) used on freight containers. The standard specifies a seal identification system and verification mechanisms to evidence tampering or intrusion, plus operational performance expectations for radio-based interrogation and readout. ISO 18185-2 is intended to be used alongside other parts of the ISO 18185 series and with existing container standards.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Unique Seal Identification (Seal ID): Permanent combination of a manufacturer ID and a serial tag ID programmed at manufacture; marked on the seal casing and used for all point-to-point communications.
- Seal data fields: Includes seal tag type, seal status bit (sealed/opened), battery status indicator, and manufacturer ID.
- Date/time stamping: Date and time of sealing and opening in ISO 8601 CCYYMMDDHHMM (UTC) format; clock accuracy no worse than ±5 seconds per day.
- Battery life and indicators: Minimum battery life to remain in inventory for 2 years plus a trip up to 60 days; seals must indicate sufficient battery for 60 days with at least 1,000 interrogations. Visual “use by” date in ISO format is required.
- RF and reading requirements: Devices must comply with local radio regulations and ISO 18185-5. Seals must be readable by standards-based interrogators; reading reliability and accuracy are specified at very high levels (no less than 99.99% reliability and 99.998% accuracy).
- Mechanical and environmental: Mechanical security must meet high-security provisions of ISO 17712; environmental performance is referenced to ISO 18185-3.
- Localization & verification scenarios: Defines operational scenarios (container handling, restricted lanes, short- and long-range hand‑held use) with performance needs such as read ranges, mounting options, and allowable container speeds (e.g., up to 12 m/s for handling equipment; up to 50 km/h in gate/rail scenarios).
- Three-step verification model: (1) determine container identity; (2) determine e-seal identity/type/status; (3) determine if it is the correct seal (steps 1 and 3 are outside scope).
Practical applications and users
ISO 18185-2 is used to implement reliable electronic sealing systems across the supply chain:
- Container terminal operators and stevedores for automated seal checks during handling and lifts.
- Shipping lines, freight forwarders, and logistics providers for tamper evidence and chain-of-custody tracking.
- Customs and border control for remote verification and exception handling.
- Manufacturers of e-seals, RFID vendors, and system integrators designing interrogators, antennas, and terminal solutions.
- Rail and road transport operators deploying gate/portal detection and restricted-lane reading systems.
Keywords: ISO 18185-2:2007, electronic seals, e-seal, freight container seal, seal identification, RFID seals, seal verification, container security, ISO 17712.
Related standards