200,000 Chinese toy dolls deemed dangerous, seized at U.S. ports

200,000 Chinese toy dolls deemed dangerous, seized at U.S.
ports
By CNN Staff
November 19, 2013 -- Updated 2142 GMT (0542 HKT)
Dolls from China seized
Dolls from China New Article seized
Dolls from China seized
Dolls from China seized
Dolls from China seized
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
More than 200,000 dolls from China allegedly contain banned chemicals
The 10 shipments are valued at almost $500,000, authorities say
Investigators used "advanced technology" to track down the shipments, officials say
U.S. Toy Industry Association praises seizure
(CNN) -- More than 200,000 dolls from China, apparently shipped for holiday gift-giving, won't be
going to any American children because U.S. authorities seized the shipments and alleged the toys
contained banned chemical compounds, officials said Tuesday.
The toys contained high levels of phthalates, which are chemical plasticizers used to make materials
softer and more pliable, authorities said. Congress has banned the chemical in Article children's
toys.
The U.S. Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center began targeting the shipments in April because
they threatened children's safety, authorities said.
"Using advanced technology to track certain shipments before they reach our shores is helping
CPSC better protect America's consumers," Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez
Tenenbaum said in a statement.
U.S. authorities didn't identify the manufacturer of the toys Tuesday.
A total of 10 shipments valued at almost $500,000 were seized at the ports of Chicago; Dallas; Los
Angeles; Norfolk, Virginia; Memphis, Tennessee; Newark, New Jersey; Portland, Oregon; and
Savannah, Georgia, authorities said.
Tenenbaum said her agency and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection have been targeting
dangerous imports at several major ports through the use of a risk management system. Those
efforts resulted in the seizure of more than 1.1 million unsafe products last fiscal year, authorities
said. At the same time, the system also allows "for faster processing of compliant products," she
said.
"Expanding our port surveillance program is key to preventing injuries and achieving our long-term
vision," Tenenbaum said.
The U.S. Exec producer John Vignocchi opened an enhanced Guardians of the Galaxy screening
earlier this week-by announcing the movie'sprimary figures may be making their way into Disney
Infinity'supcoming Marvel Super-Heroes 2.0 variation. Like the Spiderman set unmaskedat this
year's E3, five Guardians of the Galaxy character figurinesmay be accessible for use in the
openended Toy-Boxstyle of the game and in an exclusivelevel playset.
The playset will feature statuettes for Starlord and Gamora, andwill reach store shelves along with
Infinity's 2.0 start this fall.Another three characters will be available separately. Drax, anup close
melee combatant, Rocket Raccoon, a dual-carrying pistoleer, and Groot, a "Dhalsim-like" personality
who stretches his limbs for medium-range attacks, willall cost extra. Studio Gobo, who worked on
Pirates of the Carribean for the first version of Disney Infinity, created the Guardians of the Galaxy
playset.toy industry lauded the seizure of the dangerous Chinese-made merchandise.
"The Toy Industry Association commends CBP and CPSC for their diligence and hard work at the
ports to ensure that products violating strict federal safety laws never reach consumers," Ed
Desmond, the group's executive vice president of external affairs, said in a statement.