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TSA Padlocks; Padlocks for trips to the US

2 May 2018

candados tsa para viajes a estados unidos

If you need to take a flight to the United States in the near future, you have probably heard that you need a TSA padlock. Using these kinds of locks comes from the growing strictness of security measures at US airports, especially since the 11 September 2001 attacks. TSA padlocks are not mandatory, but they are highly recommended to ensure your suitcases and travel bags make it to your destination intact.

Under TSA (Transportation Security Administration), security policies there are random luggage checks for people arriving to the country. If luggage is protected with any padlock or analogue security system customs officials may break it in order to inspect what is inside. Conversely, if your luggage is protected with a TSA lock inspectors have a special key to open it so they will not damage your suitcase in the course of doing their job.

How do TSA padlocks work?
The vast majority of TSA padlocks are combination locks that usually have three or four rollers with ten digits each. From a user perspective, they work the same as any other padlock of the same type. The combination is set and then used whenever the user opens the lock. From a user perspective, they work the same as any other padlock of the same type. The combination is set and then used whenever the user opens the lock.

The difference with other combination padlocks is that the TSA locks have a small key hole in their base so US customs officials can open them. Obviously, those keys are only available within that group. If you are curious, you can find the number of the TSA key that opens your lock by looking at the inscription on the lock (TSA001, TSA002, etc.).

How can I know if they have opened my TSA padlock to inspect my luggage?
The majority of TSA locks have a system to notify the user that their luggage has been inspected, which is an added advantage. How does the system work?

In most cases, with the default configuration, the locks have a red indicator that appears on the base of the shackle. When you set your combination for the first time, the indicator will be hidden inside the body of the lock. If customs officials have inspected your suitcase, when you pick it up at baggage claim you will see that the red tab appears again on the shackle base.

Customs security staff also put a label inside suitcases that used to show they have been inspected.

If you want a guaranteed TSA lock, it has to be approved by the Transportation Security Administration. IFAM has TSA approval for its TSA TrypLock 35 padlock.facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinmail



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