RFID Credential FAQs

Hotel keycards and access wristbands operate at 13.56 MHz high-frequency (HF) RFID, standardized by ISO 14443 (proximity cards) and ISO 15693 (vicinity cards). This is the global standard for contactless hotel access — covering all MIFARE chip variants and compatible with all major hotel lock systems including VingCard, dormakaba, SALTO, and Onity. Caribbean RFID does not supply 125 kHz (LF) products for hotel access, as this older frequency is being phased out in favour of the more secure 13.56 MHz standard.

Yes. All Caribbean RFID wood keycards (bamboo, birch, walnut, maple, cherry, beech) and wood bead RFID wristbands are available with MIFARE Classic 1K, MIFARE DESFire EV2, and MIFARE DESFire EV3 chip options, covering VingCard Signature, VingCard Vostio, and all other VingCard systems. The lock reads the MIFARE chip data — not the card material — so the sustainable wood substrate has no effect on access compatibility. We confirm your exact VingCard model and software version before manufacturing to guarantee compatibility.

Pphbio is 100% plastic-free. It is manufactured from compressed wood pulp fiber — a processed cellulose material derived from wood that is neither paper (too soft and moisture-sensitive for keycard use) nor plastic (no petroleum-derived polymers). The full name of the material is PPH BioBoard. It has structural rigidity and moisture resistance suitable for hotel keycard use across a typical guest stay. At end of life, pphbio keycards are biodegradable in industrial composting conditions. The material is available in ISO 14443 RFID configurations compatible with VingCard, dormakaba, SALTO, and Onity systems.

IP ratings depend on the wristband type. Silicone RFID wristbands from Caribbean RFID are IP68 rated — fully waterproof at 30 metres depth, suitable for water parks, swim-up bars, and continuous pool and ocean immersion. Wood bead RFID wristbands are splash-resistant and handle brief water exposure adequately, but are not designed for continuous full submersion. Organic cotton RFID wristbands are moisture-resistant in typical beach and pool environments (poolside splashing, perspiration, rain) but are not designed for repeated full immersion. For aquatic environments where guests continuously swim while wearing the credential, IP68-rated silicone wristbands are the correct choice.

MOQs depend on the product category and customization level. For standard RFID wristbands and keycards, MOQs typically start from 500 units for plain or minimal customization options. For fully custom-branded programmes (custom engraving, full CMYK printing, custom bead configurations), minimum quantities may be higher. Caribbean RFID is committed to serving both boutique eco-lodges and large all-inclusive resorts — contact us with your specific volume requirements and we will work with you on a practical programme.

Available customization options depend on the product. For wood keycards: laser engraving (permanent, tactile, premium quality), pad printing, and UV printing on coated surfaces. For pphbio and RPVC keycards: full-color CMYK digital or offset printing on both sides, with matte or gloss laminate finish options. For wood bead wristbands: custom bead colors, cord colors, and optional custom printed or engraved charm element. For organic cotton wristbands: woven label (highest quality), sublimation printing on polyester element, or embroidery. A pre-production proof is provided before manufacturing on all custom orders.

All Caribbean RFID credentials use standard MIFARE encoding. MIFARE Classic 1K, DESFire EV2, and DESFire EV3 chips are encoded using standard ISO 14443 encoding equipment compatible with your hotel lock system — the same equipment your current lock system vendor provided for encoding conventional keycards. No additional or special equipment is required. We supply the credential encoded to blank factory state or, if requested, with a specific sector structure pre-configured. Your lock system's front desk encoder writes the room assignment and guest data in the same way as any conventional credential.

Yes. Caribbean RFID provides sample kits for all product categories — wood keycards, pphbio keycards, RPVC keycards, wood bead wristbands, organic cotton wristbands, and silicone wristbands. Sample kits can be encoded to the MIFARE specification you require for compatibility testing with your lock system. Contact us through the enquiry form specifying which products you want to evaluate and your lock system brand and model — we will arrange the sample dispatch.

FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council, an international non-profit that certifies responsible forest management. For wood keycards, FSC chain-of-custody (CoC) certification means the wood veneer used in the card can be traced from an FSC-certified, responsibly managed forest through every step of the supply chain to the finished card. This certification supports hotel sustainability reporting for Green Globe, Travelife, and EarthCheck certifications, provides documentation for ESG sustainability disclosures, and enables communicable eco-credential claims to guests and booking partners. Caribbean RFID provides FSC CoC certificate documentation on request.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is an independent textile safety certification that tests every component of a finished textile product — including dyes, threads, fasteners, and for RFID wristbands, the embedded electronic module — against a list of over 100 harmful substances including formaldehyde, heavy metals, azo dyes, and pesticide residues. It is laboratory-tested by accredited, independent institutes (not self-declared) and renewed annually. For resort wristbands worn in sustained skin contact, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification is the assurance that the product is safe for all guests including those with sensitive skin or chemical sensitivities.

Yes. Caribbean RFID ships to all Caribbean island markets including Jamaica, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Aruba, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, St. Lucia, Cayman Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, and others. We also serve Latin American markets including Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. Contact us for shipping timelines to your specific destination and for information on import documentation required for RFID products in your market.

Yes. RPVC (Recycled PVC) keycards contain the same MIFARE RFID chip and antenna as conventional PVC keycards, embedded in the same CR80 card format (85.6 × 54 mm, 0.76 mm thickness). The recycled PVC substrate is functionally identical to virgin PVC from the perspective of the lock reader — it reads the chip data, not the card material. RPVC keycards are compatible with all hotel lock systems including VingCard, dormakaba, SALTO, Onity, and Kaba, and encode on all standard front desk encoding equipment.

Caribbean RFID offers three main MIFARE chip configurations: MIFARE Classic 1K (most widely installed globally, suitable for basic door access), MIFARE DESFire EV2 (AES-128 encryption, multi-application capability for room access + cashless + spa on one credential), and MIFARE DESFire EV3 (latest generation, enhanced security features including Secure Unique NFC Message authentication). The correct chip depends on your specific lock system and software configuration. Contact us with your lock brand, model, and software version — we will recommend the correct chip and confirm compatibility before manufacturing.

Wood keycards with a proper sealed or coated finish perform well in Caribbean ambient conditions — heat and humidity in pockets, wallets, and handbags do not affect function or structural integrity for normal hotel stay durations. The key limitation is water immersion: wood keycards should not be continuously submerged in pools or ocean water, as prolonged water exposure can swell and delaminate the wood veneer over multi-day periods. For guests who frequently go swimming while carrying their keycard, a protective sleeve or secondary silicone wristband for pool/beach use is recommended.

Yes. Caribbean RFID provides the following certification documentation on request: FSC Chain-of-Custody certificate number and copy (for wood keycards and wood bead wristbands), OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certificate number and documentation (for organic cotton wristbands), ISO 14443 compliance documentation, REACH compliance test reports (for RPVC keycards), and RoHS compliance declarations. All documentation is available in written form suitable for inclusion in Green Globe, Travelife, EarthCheck, and internal ESG sustainability audit submissions.

Standard production lead times are 15–30 business days from artwork approval for custom-branded orders, and 10–20 business days for standard (un-branded or minimally branded) orders. Express production is available for urgent requirements — contact us to discuss timelines. Sample kit dispatch is typically within 3–5 business days. International shipping transit time to Caribbean islands and Latin America is additional and varies by destination — we work with reliable international courier partners and provide tracking for all shipments.

Yes. Caribbean RFID's Custom Resort Access Solutions service provides end-to-end support for properties transitioning from conventional plastic credentials to eco-certified alternatives. This includes: lock system compatibility assessment (confirming the correct MIFARE chip configuration for your specific lock hardware and software), eco credential recommendation matched to your guest profile and sustainability objectives, sample programme coordination, custom branding design support, bulk order and procurement management, and ongoing supply chain support. Contact us to discuss a tailored transition programme for your property.