Package pilferage
Encyclopedia
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 theft
may include taking the entire package, pallet load, truck load, shoplifting
, etc.
, sale, and use. No single solution can be considered as "pilfer proof". Often multiple levels of security
need to be addressed to reduce the risk of pilfering.
Some considerations might include:
Theft
In common usage, theft is the illegal taking of another person's property without that person's permission or consent. The word is also used as an informal shorthand term for some crimes against property, such as burglary, embezzlement, larceny, looting, robbery, shoplifting and fraud...
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
Shipping container
A shipping container is a container with strength suitable to withstand shipment, storage, and handling. Shipping containers range from large reusable steel boxes used for intermodal shipments to the ubiquitous corrugated boxes...
. Broader and related aspects of theft
Theft
In common usage, theft is the illegal taking of another person's property without that person's permission or consent. The word is also used as an informal shorthand term for some crimes against property, such as burglary, embezzlement, larceny, looting, robbery, shoplifting and fraud...
may include taking the entire package, pallet load, truck load, shoplifting
Shoplifting
Shoplifting is theft of goods from a retail establishment. It is one of the most common property crimes dealt with by police and courts....
, etc.
Solutions
Solutions may involve all phases of product production, packaging, distribution, logisticsLogistics
Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
, sale, and use. No single solution can be considered as "pilfer proof". Often multiple levels of security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
need to be addressed to reduce the risk of pilfering.
Some considerations might include:
- Identify who a potential pilferer might be: an internal employee, security guard, truck driver, delivery person, receiver (consignee), organized crime, etc. What level of knowledge, materials, tools, etc. might they have?
- Identify all feasible methods of unauthorized access into a product, package, or system. In addition to the primary means of entry, also consider secondary or "back door" methods.
- Identify available means of resealing, reclosing, or replacing special seals.
- Use extra strong and secure packaging: A weak or damaged package is an invitation to pilferage.
- Consider unique custom seals and labelLabelA label is a piece of paper, polymer, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or article, on which is printed a legend, information concerning the product, addresses, etc. A label may also be printed directly on the container or article....
s (change regularly because these are subject to counterfeitCounterfeitTo counterfeit means to illegally imitate something. Counterfeit products are often produced with the intent to take advantage of the superior value of the imitated product...
ing) - Improve the pilfer resistance to make pilfering more difficult, time-consuming, etc.
- Conceal the identity and value of a pilferable item. Do not bring attention to the item, its package, addresses, names, etc.
- Add pilfer-evident features to help indicate the existence of pilfering.
- Choose a logisticsLogisticsLogistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
provider who can reduce the risks of pilferage. - Ship in packages in unit loadUnit loadA unit load combines individual items or items in shipping containers into a single "unit" that can be moved easily with pallet jack or forklift truck...
s with stretch wrapStretch wrapStretch wrap or stretch film is a highly stretchable plastic film that is wrapped around items. The elastic recovery keeps the items tightly bound...
or in intermodal shipping containers with security sealSecurity sealSecurity seals are mechanisms used to seal containers in a way that provides tamper evidence and some level of security. Such seals can help to detect theft or contamination, either accidental and deliberate. Security seals are commonly used to secure vehicles, chemical drums, airline duty free...
s - Educate people to watch for evidence of pilfering.
- With a corrugated box, use a wider and stronger closure tape, 3 inch or 72 mm, reinforced gummed tape or pressure sensitive tapePressure sensitive tapePressure-sensitive tape, known also in various countries as PSA tape, adhesive tape, self-stick tape, sticky tape, or just tape, is an adhesive tape that will stick with application pressure, without the need for solvent, heat, or water for activation...
. - Use a tamper evident tape or seal on packages that leaves a message, warning, or other indication if removed.
- Install a surveillance systemSurveillanceSurveillance is the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of people. It is sometimes done in a surreptitious manner...
to help identify any suspects.
See also
- AuthenticationAuthenticationAuthentication is the act of confirming the truth of an attribute of a datum or entity...
- Packaging
- Breaking bulk (law)Breaking bulk (law)In law, the term breaking bulk means taking anything out of a package or parcel or in any way destroying its entirety. It was thus important in connection with the subject of bailment, involving as it did the curious distinction that where a bailee received possession of goods in a box or package,...
- Tamper-evidentTamper-evidentTamper-evident describes a device or process that makes unauthorized access to the protected object easily detected. Seals, markings or other techniques may be tamper indicating.-Tampering:...
- Tamper resistanceTamper resistanceTamper resistance is resistance to tampering by either the normal users of a product, package, or system or others with physical access to it. There are many reasons for employing tamper resistance....
- Loss preventionLoss preventionRetail loss prevention is a form of private investigation into larceny or theft. The focus of such investigations generally includes shoplifting, package pilferage, embezzlement, credit fraud, and check fraud...
- Security printingSecurity printingSecurity printing is the field of the printing industry that deals with the printing of items such as banknotes, passports, tamper-evident labels, product authentication, stock certificates, postage stamps and identity cards...
- TheftTheftIn common usage, theft is the illegal taking of another person's property without that person's permission or consent. The word is also used as an informal shorthand term for some crimes against property, such as burglary, embezzlement, larceny, looting, robbery, shoplifting and fraud...