CBP Seizes 261,000 Cigarette Lighters

Partner Agencies Continue to Ensure Safety of Consumer Goods

Washington, D.C. - As part of a multi-agency national operation initiated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Import Safety Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center 261,000 cigarette lighters, valued at approximately $135,000, were seized June 13 for missing the required child-safety mechanism.

In March, CBP officers, in partnership with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s compliance investigator, examined a targeted shipment of cigarette lighters from France. CPSC evaluated a sample of the shipment and later determined it to be in violation of the safety standard for cigarette lighters requiring cigarette lighters to be fitted with a child-resistant mechanism in order to protect children from injury.

“Working together at the Import Safety CTAC, CBP and CPSC have jointly targeted hundreds of high-risk shipments for examination to reduce the flow of unsafe goods into the U.S.,” said CBP Commissioner Alan D. Bersin. “This partnership is an important example of how government agencies, who share a common goal, can leverage their separate resources and authorities to better protect the American public.”

A 2002 CPSC study estimates the U.S. safety standards for cigarette lighters reduced cigarette-lighter fires caused by children younger than age five by 58 percent yet unsafe cigarette lighters remain a safety hazard. Nearly one billion cigarette lighters are sold in the U.S. annually. More than 700 million lighters are imported each year. From 2005-2007, cigarette lighters were associated with an estimated average of 2,000 residential fires, 70 deaths, 360 injuries and $67.6 million in property loss, annually. An average of 15 children under the age of five die each year and more than approximately 2,000 are treated in emergency rooms annually for cigarette lighter-related injuries.

CBP and CPSC continue to ensure the safety of imported goods by examining, sampling, and testing products that may present safety hazards to American consumers while collaborating with partner agencies—highlighting the importance of streamlining and enhancing Federal efforts to address important safety requirements on imported goods.

The CTAC combines the resources and manpower from various government agencies to protect the American public from harm caused by unsafe imported products by improving communications, information-sharing and reducing redundant inspectional activities. The CTAC reflects the three core principles announced by the Presidents’ Food Safety Working Group: prevention, surveillance and response.

For additional information on the CTAC and import safety, please go to CBP.gov/Trade, and hit the Priority Trade Issues left tab. ( CTAC )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.