Gum tapes are used on about 25 percent of all cartons shipped today; they are cheap, strong, and have become the standard in the shipping industry. However, they are easy to cut through and reseal: a thief can steal goods and reapply the tape so that the illegal entry isn't even visible. This kind of theft is too common in the supply chain, but there are gum tapes that offer more protection.

In-transit theft is a serious problem for shippers and receivers; many hands have access to parcels after they have been packed and before they are received. Surreptitious theft--theft that isn't readily obvious because criminals have successfully hidden signs of the crime--continues to eat away at companies' bottom lines. In fact, they work it into their budgets: they know a certain percentage of their merchandise will be pilfered.

Some Gum Tapes Are Better Than Others

It's not a question of how easy it is to get through the tape and cardboard of the parcel; it's about seeing if someone has done so. If a thief makes a mess during a theft, he will draw attention to the crime--and to himself. Pilfer indicating gum tapes do the same thing--they make a visual indication of a possible theft.

Pilfer indicating gum tape makes the thief think he's getting away with it; after he cuts the tape, steals the goods, and reseals the box, a hidden message appears in the tape. About two hours after the crime--after the thief is sure no one will find out about it--the word "open" appears in the tape. This lets both the shippers and receivers quickly know that the parcel has been tampered with; the recipient can decline the delivery and the shipper can start to find the culprit.