Seized counterfeit Botox, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, officers in Cincinnati’s express consignment facility recently seized multiple shipments of counterfeit Botox injections. The shipments were sent from Shenzhen and labeled as “leggings” and “facial gift”. The shipments were to be sent to individuals in Alabama, Texas and Utah.

Botox (botulinum toxin) is restricted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and cannot be imported into the U.S. without proper documentation. Pharmaceutical companies that produce legitimate botulinum toxin products can import them into the US and CBP has issued an informed compliance publication detailing how these products can legally be imported into the U.S.

While the Customs media release designates these Botox as counterfeit, I believe these Botox injections are an example of what is known as “parallel importation”. In parallel importation, individuals import drugs from countries where the government regulates the cost of pharmaceuticals. These countries that regulate the cost of pharmaceuticals include the UK, Germany, France, Sweden and Canada. In the CBP media release, the seized Botox appears to be labeled in German. Most likely the shipper in Shenzhen buys the Botox from the UK, Germany, France, Sweden and exports to the US at a lower cost than Botox in the US.

If you or someone you know has had their shipment over pharmaceutical drugs shipped from overseas seized in the US, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.