LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Since the coronavirus pandemic started U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has seen an increase in the number of counterfeit safety items including masks, equipment, hygiene products, and now tests.
In Louisville, CBP officers have made 16 seizures and rounded up 187 unapproved and prohibited test kits, called Virus Shutout lanyards.
To fight the increase in the counterfeiting, CBP is targeting imports and exports — mainly in international mail and express consignnment cargo.
The lanyards claim they are effective against the virus but often contain a dangerous pesticide, Chloride Dioxide.
“This pesticide can leech into the skin on contact, cause breathing issues, and lead to additional health concerns for the wearer,” said Thomas Mahn, Port Director, Louisville. “The Shutout devices often lead to a false sense of security and in no way protects the bearer from the Coronavirus.”
COVID-19 testing should only take place with medical professionals and Kentucky has several testing locations across the state and your doctor's office should be able to test you if you are symptomatic.
The CBP wants the public to know about these bogus at-home testing kits and the dangers they pose.
During the seizures, CBP found shipments with false or misleading claims, no warnings, and no EPA approval. It is illegal to import a Federal Insecticide, Fungicie, and Rodenticide Act regulated pesticide into the United States. CBP says the value of the devices was less than $4,000.
The port of Louisville wasn't the only port to make these seizures. There have also been seizures in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Chicago.
There have been 62 seizures in Cincinnati with 29,438 kits. There are still 52 shipments waiting to be reviewed by the FDA. The domestic value of these kits is $588,760. Officers found not only counterfeit kits, but also unapproved and prohibited test kits.
“Our officers know their role on the frontline is critical to the health and safety of the American people,” said Richard Gillespie, Port Director, Cincinnati. “At a time when the country is in the middle of a National Emergency, our officers are dedicated to protecting our citizens and ensuring their safety.”