Rubber duckies from China seized at ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach

CBP officials seized the holiday ducks Tuesday after determining the toys, with a domestic value of $18,522, contained a regulated phthalate in excess of the limit which may be harmful to the health and safety of children. (Photo courtesy of Customs and Border Patrol)

If it looks like an imported rubber duck from China, if it floats like a rubber duck, but doesn't quack like a duck, then it could be an illegal duck.

At least that's what the U.S. Customs and Border Protection detail at the Los Angeles-Long Beach ports complex believed when confronted on Tuesday with more than 35,000 rubber ducks.

And the officers were right.

Officials seized 35,712 "holiday ducks" - dressed as Santa, snowmen, gingerbread men, reindeer and penguins and valued at $18,522 - because they contained a chemical in excess of the limit that could be harmful to children.

The chemical is used to make vinyl and other plastics soft and flexible, but occurred in concentrations that violated U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.

There was no word on the eventual fate of the dodgy ducks.

- Nick Green

Source: http://www.dailybreeze.com/crimeandcourts/ci_22143826/rubber-duckies-from-china-seized-at-ports-los?source=rss

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