California Company Agrees to $125,000 Fine for Importing Illegal Toys

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2002
Release # 02-171 		CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7051

California Company Agrees to $125,000 Fine for Importing Illegal Toys

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Golden Gift L.L.C. of Vernon, Calif., has agreed to pay a $125,000 fine for importing toys that did not meet federal safety standards. The CPSC alleged that Golden Gift knowingly imported children's toys that violated the CPSC's small parts and labeling requirements under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.

CPSC alleged that on eight occasions between June 1999 and September 2000, Golden Gift imported for sale in the United States a total of 90,000 toys containing small parts that presented choking and aspiration hazards to children under three years old. CPSC and the U.S. Customs Service discovered and seized the illegal toys at the Port of Long Beach, thus ensuring that none of the toys were sold to American consumers. Golden Gift returned the toys, which included cartoon cars, fruit telephones, toy school buses, tricycles, pianos, phones, and bells, to its overseas suppliers.

CPSC also alleged that on three occasions between August 1999 and March 2000, Golden Gift imported for sale in the United States a total of 588,000 toys that lacked required safety labels. The toys, which included marbles and balls, did not properly warn parents that they were intended for children between the ages of three and six years old.

Every year CPSC recalls numerous children's toys that could contribute to deaths or injuries. In 2000, there were an estimated 151,000 children (under 15 years old) treated in hospital emergency rooms due to toy-related incidents. There were 17 deaths associated with toys. In agreeing to settle this matter, Golden Gift denied all of the allegations.