Pilferage is probably the most common and annoying problem to be faced by security personnel. Pilferage refers not only to petty theft but to theft of any quantity or monetary value. A casual pilferer is one who steals primarily for personal use because theft appears easy and there is little fear of detection. The systematic pilferer steals according to preconceived plans for the purpose of selling the stolen items or bartering them for other valuable commodities. Shipping and receiving operations are a particularly vulnerable context for pilferage, because at this point, warehouse, shed, and dock personnel as well as truck drivers have direct contact with each other to engage in collusion for pilferage as well as available means for transporting goods from the premises. Trash disposal and salvage activities also offer opportunities to the systematic pilferer to gain access to valuable material. Casual pilferage may be controlled by instructing employees in the consequences of pilferage and the probability of getting caught. Nothing short of active physical security measures will be effective in reducing systematic pilferage. Physical security involves constructing a defense against theft, determining means that may be used to penetrate those defenses, and making necessary modifications to improve the defenses. Physical security involves the proper construction of buildings and the use of fencing, gates, gate houses, parking, lighting, locking devices, key control, and security procedures that prevent unauthorized access to valuable materials. Security training is outlined for various types of security personnel, and appended are a guide to some common documents used in international trade, a marine security questionnaire, precautions to be taken by ships to avoid terrorist attack, and a bomb threat report.