Diane V. Sahakian Assistant Commissioner | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Successful enforcement efforts at the Port of Memphis led to the seizure of infant products valued at $61,000 due to safety concerns. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Machinery Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE) identified high lead paint content and choking hazards in these products.
“The combined efforts of the Machinery Center, the Port of Memphis, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to identify and advance this shipment toward seizure serves as an illustrative example of effective enforcement through collaboration,” stated Director Juan J. Porras from the Machinery Center of Excellence and Expertise.
In July 2024, a shipment labeled as containing luggage carts, metal furniture mountings, and "other" seats was targeted by CEE enforcement team members. Further inspection revealed that these items were actually infants' strollers, swings, and highchairs. Due to safety risks associated with such products and apparent misclassification intended to conceal their true nature, CBP referred the shipment for further inspection by local CPSC investigators.
Initial analysis indicated high lead content in various parts like metal frames and seat cushions. Several samples underwent formal import safety tests conducted by CPSC.
On September 17, 2024, a report from CPSC recommended seizing all merchandise in the detained shipment. A total of 1,209 items with a domestic value of $61,161 were seized due to violations including high lead content, coin cell battery swallow hazards, and incomplete children's product certificates. Following testing results from CPSC, corrective action through seizure and recall was directed after notifying the importer about non-compliance with mandatory safety requirements.
The Laredo Field Office's Machinery Center serves as a central contact point for machinery import inquiries since becoming fully operational on April 3, 2016. It processes accounts under its overview including tools, appliances, electrical machinery equipment parts among others.
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