TGH International Trading to Pay $31,500 for Violating Federal Safety Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that TGH International Trading Inc. (TGH), of Los Angeles, Calif., has agreed to pay a $31,500 civil penalty to settle allegations that the company knowingly imported and sold toys that did not meet the requirements of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The penalty has been provisionally accepted by the Commission.

TGH imported more than 11,000 toys into the United States between March 2005 and June 2006. These toys contained small parts that presented choking and aspiration hazards to young children. Through port inspections and the investigative work of CPSC and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), many of the hazardous toys were seized at the Port of Long Beach before they could reach store shelves. CPSC is not aware of any incidents or injuries involving toys that were distributed into commerce.

“CPSC’s new authority to seek higher civil penalties does not mean we will ignore serious violations by small businesses,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “We will continue to take enforcement action against any business, large or small, that violates the Commission’s product safety laws and regulations.”

In agreeing to settle the allegations, TGH International Trading Inc. denies that it violated federal law.