The recent seizure in San Juan, Puerto Rico, of school supplies without proper safety labeling has federal officials reminding retailers and consumers to be aware of U.S. safety standards. The items, valued at $54,000, were confiscated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

“In this case CBP, working very closely with our partners at CPSC, were able to protect consumers from these imported school supplies that could have potentially caused serious health and safety issues to children,” Efrain Rivas, assistant director of field operations for Trade in San Juan, said in a July 24 news release. 

The shipment, manifested as “School Supplies,” lacked the required Consumer Product Safety Act Tracking labels. The violation was discovered by CBP officers and corroborated by a CPSC inspector, the release stated.

"Import Safety is a CBP Priority Trade Issue and is designed to ensure that unsafe products do not enter the commerce of the United States," CBP said in the release. "CBP remains committed to working collaboratively and collectively with partner government agencies, other foreign governments and the trade industry to better define and assess risk. We do this through increased automation, the sharing of information and an emphasis on partnerships and best practices to help protect the U.S. consumer."

The Federal Hazardous Substances Act mandates precautionary labeling on hazardous household products' immediate containers, providing consumers with instructions on safely using and storing the product, according to the release, as well as directions for immediate first-aid measures in the event of accidental exposure storage.

 The CPSC has the authority to ban dangerous products or if the labeling is inadequate for consumer protection, the release reports.

“The new school year is about to start," Rivas said in the release. "Distributors, retailers and consumers should be aware of the quality and safety standards of the products that they import into the United States and its territories."