MIAMI — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to the Miami Seaport Trade Enforcement Team (TET) seized 235 cartons containing counterfeit hoverboards with an estimated MSRP of $94,000. The self-balancing scooters, commonly referred to as “hoverboards” contained batteries that were deemed unauthorized and therefore counterfeit.
“The men and women of CBP have many important roles. One such role is ensuring that products entering the U.S. are safe,” said Port Director Dylan DeFrancisci. “This is an example of ensuring that a product, potentially making its way to a child, has genuine parts and is safe for use.”
Hoverboards—self-balancing, two-wheeled, motorized platforms—are some of this year’s most popular items. However, major safety concerns have surfaced following reports of fires possibly caused by substandard and counterfeit lithium ion batteries that power some hoverboards. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has also recently seized counterfeit products at ports in Virginia. CBP is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) concerning the use of counterfeit and unauthorized batteries in hoverboards.
