Package pilferage is the theft of part of the contents of a package. It may also include theft of the contents but leaving the package, perhaps resealed with bogus contents. Small packages can be pilfered from a larger package such as a shipping container . Broader and related aspects of package theft may include taking the entire package, pallet load, truck load, shoplifting , etc. The theft may take place at any point in the parcel's journey from source to destination, ^[1] including theft by rogue logistics employees and customs agents in international mail scenarios. ^[2]

Solutions [ edit ]

Solutions involve all phases of product production, packaging , distribution, logistics , sale, and use. No single solution is considered as "pilfer proof". Often, packaging engineers , logistics engineers, and security professionals have addressed multiple levels of security to reduce the risk of pilfering. ^{[3] [4]}

Each situation is unique. Some considerations have included:

• Identifying who a potential pilferer might be: an internal employee, security guard, truck driver, delivery person, receiver (consignee), organized crime, etc. Engineers usually start with knowing what level of knowledge, materials, tools, etc. might they have.
• Identifying all feasible methods of unauthorized access into a product, package, or system. In addition to the primary means of entry, engineers also consider secondary or "back door" methods.
• Identifying available means of resealing, reclosing, or replacing special seals.
• Using extra strong and secure packaging: A weak or damaged package is an invitation to pilferage.
• Considering unique custom seals and labels (changing regularly because these are subject to counterfeiting )
• Utilising mandatory package tracking scans at each stage of the shipping process to ensure the parcel is monitored for suspicious activity; both the sender and recipient can then check the status of the parcel through a track and trace system.
• Improving the pilfer resistance to make pilfering more difficult, time-consuming, etc.
• Concealing the identity and value of a pilferable item. Logistics and packaging professionals do not want to bring attention to the item, its package, addresses, names, etc. ^[5]
• Adding pilfer-evident features to help indicate the existence of pilfering.
• Choosing a logistics provider who can reduce the risks of pilferage.
• Shipping in packages in unit loads with stretch wrap or in intermodal shipping containers with security seals ^[6]
• Educating people to watch for evidence of pilfering.
• With a corrugated box, using a wider and stronger closure tape, 3-inch or 72 mm, reinforced gummed tape or pressure-sensitive tape . ^{[7] [8]}
• Using a special security tape or seal on packages that leaves a message, warning, or other indication if removed.
• Installing a surveillance system to help identify any suspects.

See also [ edit ]

• Authentication
• Breaking bulk (law)
• Loss prevention
• Retail loss prevention
• Security bag
• Security printing
• Tamper resistance
• Tamper-evident

References [ edit ]

Sources [ edit ]

• Soroka, W, "Fundamentals of Packaging Technology", IoPP, 2002, ISBN   1-930268-25-4
• Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN   978-0-470-08704-6
• Rosette, J. L, "Improving Tamper-Evident Packaging: Problems, Tests and Solutions", 1992
• Philip Purpura (2007). Security and Loss Prevention: An Introduction (5th ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN   978-0-12-372525-7 .
• Alan Greggo; Millie Kresevich (2009). Retail Loss Prevention: Problems and Solutions . CRC Press. ISBN   978-1-4200-9006-2 .