Chain of custody is a log showing exactly who had possession of goods, when, and where – from the moment they left the sender to when they arrived at the destination. In logistics, a broken chain of custody is the main reason disputed cargo claims are difficult to resolve.
In connected container tracking, chain of custody is recorded automatically. GPS position, door open/close events, temperature readings, and handoff timestamps are all logged to a platform in real time.
- Port to inland terminal – GPS records the container’s position at each custody transfer point
- Door open events – a GPS bolt seal logs every door opening with a timestamp and location
- Temperature logs – continuous cold chain records show if conditions were breached and precisely when
- Regulatory use – pharmaceutical and food-grade logistics often require chain of custody documentation for compliance audits