By: Richard L. Smith
Federal authorities have taken legal action to forfeit more than 9,000 boys' suits that were intercepted at the Port of New York/Newark after being imported from China, according to information released by the U.S. Department of Justice. 
The civil complaint was filed by the United States Attorney’s Office as part of an effort to prevent hazardous children’s clothing from reaching the market.
According to the civil forfeiture complaint, the suits were confiscated in March 2020 by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection after testing by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) revealed that the buttons on the garments contained dangerously high levels of lead.
Exposure to lead, particularly in children, poses serious health risks, including developmental delays, learning disabilities, and other long-term health complications. Federal regulations strictly limit the amount of lead allowed in children’s products to protect public health.
Authorities say this was not the first time the importing company, Angels New York US, Inc., attempted to bring hazardous children’s clothing into the United States.
According to the complaint, this marks at least the third instance in which the company tried to import children’s garments that failed to meet U.S. safety standards due to excessive lead content.
Given the repeated violations, federal officials took decisive action to remove the unsafe clothing from circulation and hold the importer accountable.
Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna credited the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Port of New York/Newark, under the leadership of Port Director Jeffrey Greene, as well as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, for their role in identifying and seizing the hazardous shipments.
The civil forfeiture case underscores the federal government’s commitment to enforcing consumer safety regulations and ensuring that imported products meet U.S. health and safety standards.
Officials continue to monitor imports closely to prevent dangerous goods from entering the country and posing risks to children and families.
Further legal proceedings will determine the fate of the seized clothing and any potential penalties for the importing company.