Category Archives: toys

No laughing matter – $1.3 million in counterfeit LOL toys seized.

December 24, 2020 By in toys Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Seized “LOL Surprise!” toys, source: CBP.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of New York/Newark recently seized a shipment of counterfeit LOL Surprise toys along with counterfeit UNO card games. The large seized shipment contained over 141,000 card games and over 11,000 counterfeit LOL surprise balls and capsule toys. If authentic, the total MSRP of the seized goods would have totaled approximately $1,300,000.

Toys suspected of being counterfeit are reviewed by CBP’s Consumer Prodcuts and Mass Merchandising Center for Excellence and Expertise (CEE). The CEE in turn will work with the trademark holders to verify the authenticity of the goods.

Interestingly, this Customs media release indicates the seizure was also being investigated by the Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents. HSI involvement typically means suspicion of criminal activity or something more than the usual counterfeit goods.

If you or someone you know has had your shipment seized by Customs, contact David Hsu by phone at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com to discuss your options.

CBP seizes unsafe toy ducks.

May 13, 2020 By in CPSC, lead, lead paint, toys, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Image of seized toys, source: cbp.gov
Image of seized toys, source: cbp.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), CBP officers at the Georgia seaport seized 5,000 stuffed toy ducks after tests found the ducks contained excessive amounts of lead.

The container arrived from Hong Kong and was labeled in boxes labeled “Doctor Duck”. The toys were detained and a sample was shipped to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for testing.
Test results found the toys contained excess levels of lead and cannot be entered into the US, meaning the next step for CBP will be to destroy the over $100,000 worth of toys.
If your shipment has been seized for excessive lead paint, contact David Hsu for a no cost consultation at 832-896-6288 or by email to attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Children’s toys containing lead seized by CBP.

December 5, 2019 By in consumer product safety commission, CPSC, lead paint, toys, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

CHM toys pic 1.jpg

Image of seized toys containing lead, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized 190 toy finger puppets after it was determined that they contained excessive amounts of lead. The article does not specify the country of origin, but does say the shipment originated from Ottawa, Ontario and destined for a distribution center in the US.

CBP officers detained the shipment of toys to examine whether the toys contained lead in the paint. With the involvement of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), they determined the toys were contaminated with lead. As a result, the finger puppets will be destroyed by CBP.

If you have had a shipment seized by Customs, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu for immediate help by cell/text at 832-896-6288, or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Baltimore CBP and the CPSC Seize Children’s “Activity Cubes” due to Potential Choking Hazard.

January 28, 2018 By in CPSC, Customs Lawyer, fines and penalties, Import, Import Export Attorney, infant products, toddler products, toys, Uncategorized Tags: Leave a comment

ToyScreengrab

Above photo is a screengrab from the Customs website showing the seized children’s mini activity cubes.

As the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) functions as the USA’s border security agency – CBP enforces hundreds of laws from different agencies. For example, CBP may seize imported automotive parts that violate Department of Transportation regulations or CBP may seize counterfeit and tainted foods products that violate Food and Drug Administration rules.

On January 15th, CBP officers in Baltimore examined a shipment of toys valued at $5,600 from Hong Kong and submitted samples of the toys to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). CBP officers initially sent this sample to the CPSC because the toys appeared to contain potential choking hazards.

CPSC subsequently tested the activity cubes and determined the toys violated the small parts requirement of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act [15 USC §1263]. A copy of the FHSA can be found at this link: https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/fhsa.pdf

Unfortunately for this importer, they won’t be able to get their goods and may face further penalties from Customs. If you have had your imports seized by Customs due to DOT, CPSC, FDA or any of the other alphabet soup of government agency regulations, please call David Hsu at 832.896.6288, or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, free consultations.