Choosing between bolt, cable, plastic and padlock seals is the most common decision Australian buyers make when specifying security seals for their operation. Each of the four covers a different job - bolt seals for export containers, cable seals for irregular fittings, plastic security seals for domestic freight, padlock seals for cages and cabinets - and putting the wrong one on the wrong load either overpays for security you don't actually need, or under-specifies for freight that should never have left the yard without stronger protection.
This guide breaks down the four main types of security seals used in Australia, shows how they compare on the criteria that actually matter, and gives you a straightforward way to pick the right one for your freight, your DC, or your export lane.
Bolt, Cable, Plastic and Padlock Seals at a Glance
Here's how the four options stack up on the criteria most operators care about — security level, typical use, removal, and where each one earns its place.
| Feature | Bolt Seals | Cable Seals | Plastic Seals | Padlock Seals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security level | Highest | High (adjustable) | Indicative | Indicative |
| ISO 17712 rating | High Security Seal available | High Security Seal available | Indicative seal only | Indicative seal only |
| Typical use | Export containers, sea freight, customs-bonded loads | Tankers, valves, meters, irregular fittings | Roll cages, totes, ULDs, domestic freight | Cages, tote boxes, cabinets, meter boxes |
| Removed with | Bolt cutter | Cable cutter | Hand cutter or scissors | Hand cutter or side cutter |
| Reusable? | No | No | No | No |
| Custom printing | Laser-marked numbering, logo | Numbering, logo, barcode | Numbering, logo, barcode, colour | Numbering, logo, colour |
| Relative cost | $$$ | $$ | $ | $$ |
Bolt Seals: The High-Security Standard
Bolt seals are the highest-security option in general commercial use. They consist of a steel body and a hardened steel pin that self-locks into a barrel when pushed together - once locked, the only way to open the seal is to cut it with a heavy-duty bolt cutter.
Bolt seals rated to ISO 17712:2013 High Security are the standard specification for international container exports leaving Port Botany, Port of Melbourne, Port of Brisbane and Port of Fremantle. Australian Border Force, shipping lines and C-TPAT-aligned overseas consignees all recognise High Security classification bolt seals as the accepted specification for containerised sea freight.
Best for: international container exports, customs-bonded movements, high-value consignments where physical resistance to tampering is required. Not the right choice for anything you need to reseal quickly or apply in high volumes to lightweight freight - that's what plastic and padlock seals are for.
Cable Seals: The Versatile Option for Irregular Fittings
Cable seals use an adjustable steel cable - typically 1.5mm to 5mm in diameter - that threads through a self-locking barrel. Because the cable is flexible and adjustable in length, cable seals can secure sealing points that bolt seals physically cannot reach: tanker manifolds, valve assemblies, meter cabinets, secure equipment cabinets, and any irregular-shape asset where the sealing loop is longer than a fixed pin.
Higher-spec cable seal ranges are ISO 17712 High Security classification rated and accepted for container sea freight where a bolt seal isn't practical. Multi-length options cover everything from small meter housings through to large industrial valves.
Best for: Tankers, utility meters, controlled-access cabinets, valve assemblies, and any application where the sealing point isn't a simple hasp. Cable seals are also popular with WA mining and oil & gas operators sealing equipment cabinets and tanker fittings out to remote sites.
Plastic Security Seals: The High-Volume Workhorse
Plastic security seals - usually called pull-tight seals - are the most widely used seals in Australian logistics. A polypropylene strap threads through a self-locking head and pulls tight against the sealing point. They can be cut with hand cutters or heavy scissors, so their role is indicative rather than physically resistant.
That indicative role is exactly what most domestic freight needs. Every day, plastic seals lock down roll cages leaving DCs, totes moving between stores, airline ULDs, and last-mile delivery cages. Colour coding lets receivers separate store-bound freight from returns at a glance, and sequential numbering ties every cage back to the pack manifest.
Best for: High-volume domestic freight, roll cages, retail DC-to-store movements, airline ULDs, and any application where speed of use and colour-coded sorting matter more than physical resistance. Also the cheapest per-unit option by a comfortable margin, which is why 3PLs get through them in the tens of thousands.
Padlock Seals: The Purpose-Built Cage and Cabinet Seal
Padlock seals are the seal type most Australian buyers know least about, but they solve a specific problem the other three can't. Shaped like a small single-use padlock - a shackle that pushes into a self-locking body - they fit into any standard padlock hole or cage hasp. Once locked, the shackle can only be released by cutting the seal off with a side cutter.
That form factor is the point. Anywhere you'd normally reach for a padlock but need single-use tamper evidence instead - retail security cages, air cargo cages and containers, tote boxes, fire extinguisher cabinets, meter boxes, first-aid kits, airline trolleys - a padlock seal drops in without any change to the hardware. Every unit carries a sequential number and can be produced in your brand colour with your logo.
Best for: Cages, cabinets, tote boxes, meter and utility boxes, and anywhere with a padlock-style hasp that needs tamper evidence rather than a reusable lock. Popular with retail loss-prevention teams, aviation ground handlers, and manufacturers securing equipment cabinets.
Which Security Seal Is Right for Your Australian Operation?
Work through these questions and the answer usually becomes clear:
- Is the freight leaving Australia by sea or air? Use ISO 17712 bolt seals. Cable seals are the fallback where the sealing point isn't compatible with a bolt seal.
- Is the sealing point irregular — a valve, meter, tanker, or cabinet? Cable seals. The adjustable length is what you're paying for.
- Are you sealing high-volume domestic freight — roll cages, totes, ULDs? Plastic pull-tight seals. Fast to apply, cheap per unit, colour-codeable.
- Does the sealing point have a padlock-style hole or hasp? Padlock seals. Standard fitment, no hardware change required.
- Do you need branding, numbering or barcodes? All four types can be custom-printed. Typical lead time is 24–48 hours to print plus standard transit.
Common Australian Use Cases by Seal Type
A snapshot of who reaches for which seal type across Australian industries:
Freight forwarders - Bolt seals on export containers. Cable seals where a bolt won't fit.
3PLs and retail distribution - Plastic seals on outbound roll cages. Padlock seals on retail cages and store-return totes.
Manufacturers - Padlock seals on equipment cabinets and shipping cages. Custom-branded plastic seals on outbound cartons.
Mining and resources - Bolt seals on Fremantle-bound export containers. Cable seals on tanker fittings and secure cabinets running out to Pilbara sites.
Utilities and government - Cable and wire seals on smart meters, fuel bowsers and controlled-access cabinets.
Aviation - Plastic and padlock seals on ULDs, cargo cages and airline trolleys through Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth airports.
Picking the Right Seal Comes Down to the Freight, Not the Price
The cheapest option is rarely the right one, and the highest-security option is rarely necessary for every load. The four seal types each earn their place: bolt seals for the export container, cable seals for the irregular fitting, plastic seals for the domestic roll cage, padlock seals for the cage or cabinet. Most Australian operations use two or three of them in parallel.
If you're specifying seals for a new operation or reviewing what you're currently using, the fastest path is a short conversation with an Australian security seal supplier who can look at your dispatch process and match products to it — including any custom branding or numbering that makes reconciliation easier at the receiving end.
Ready to Specify the Right Seal for Your Operation?
Browse the full range of bolt, cable, plastic and padlock seals at sealshq.com.au, or request a bulk quote with your seal type, quantity and dispatch suburb for a same-day response.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a bolt seal and a padlock seal?
A bolt seal is a high-security steel seal used mainly for international shipping containers and requires a bolt cutter to remove. A padlock seal is a single-use plastic or metal seal shaped like a small padlock that fits into any standard hasp or padlock hole - used on cages, cabinets, tote boxes and meter boxes. Bolt seals are for physical resistance; padlock seals are for tamper evidence in padlock-fitting hardware.
Which security seal is best for shipping containers?
For international container exports, ISO 17712:2013 High Security bolt seals are the accepted standard. They are the specification required by Australian Border Force, most shipping lines out of Australian ports, and C-TPAT-aligned overseas consignees. Cable seals rated to the same High Security classification are an alternative where a bolt seal isn't compatible with the container fitting.
Are cable seals ISO 17712 compliant?
Higher-spec cable seals are available in ISO 17712 H-class certified ranges and are accepted for container sea freight where a bolt seal isn't physically compatible. Lighter-duty cable seals used for meters, valves and utility applications are indicative rated. Ask your supplier for the specific compliance rating on the range you're considering.
What are padlock seals used for?
Padlock seals are used anywhere a standard padlock would normally sit but where you need single-use tamper evidence instead of a reusable lock. Common applications include retail security cages, air cargo cages, tote boxes, fire extinguisher cabinets, meter boxes, first-aid kits and airline trolleys. Every unit is sequentially numbered.
Can plastic security seals be reused?
No. Plastic pull-tight seals are single-use by design. Once the strap is pulled tight and locked, the seal can only be removed by cutting it off. Attempting to reuse a plastic seal breaks the tamper-evidence principle it exists to enforce.
How much do security seals cost in Australia?
Plastic seals are the cheapest, typically a few cents each at bulk pricing. Padlock and cable seals sit in the mid range. ISO 17712 bolt seals are the most expensive per unit, though bulk price breaks at 250, 1,000 and 5,000 units bring the cost down substantially. Any Australian security seal supplier should give you tiered pricing on request.
Can I get custom-branded padlock seals in Australia?
Yes. Padlock seals can be produced with your logo, sequential numbering and choice of colour. Minimum order quantities apply - typically 500 to 1,000 units - and lead time is around 24-48 hours to print plus standard transit to your dispatch address.
