Question for import experts regarding Chinese imports

XemaSab

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Tue Nov-27-07 12:49 PM
Original message

Question for import experts regarding Chinese imports

How is it that here in the US we've got really, really stringent standards about materials for infants and children, but the Chinese can send us crap that has NO safety standards whatsoever?

Yesterday I was in the fabric store, and some of the flannel fabrics were rated as not suitable for infants because they're too flammable.

Meanwhile, we've got children's toys that turn into date-rape drugs when swallowed.

How the hell is this allowed?

Don't imports have to be tested for safety? :shrug:

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nightrider767

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Tue Nov-27-07 12:52 PM
Response to Original message

1. I think we do have inspections and standards

but the government departments that are supposed to do the inspections and certifications are so underfunded, that little gets done and the merchandise just flows in...

It's part of the larger scheme of things.

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TechBear_Seattle

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Tue Nov-27-07 12:52 PM
Response to Original message

2. You can thank Bill Clinton and the World Trade Organization

Prohibiting the import of goods which do not meet national standards of safety and quality is an illegal "barrier to trade." Once the stuff is on the ship, we have absolutely no choice but to accept it. We can enforce standards before the goods leave port, but that would require getting Chinese manufacturers and Chinese shipping inspectors to adhere to those standards, which we have no way of doing.

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magellan

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Tue Nov-27-07 12:58 PM
Response to Reply #2

3. Importers play a role in this too

Edited on Tue Nov-27-07 12:59 PM by magellan

They're the ones who go to China and decide who gets the contract to supply us with X. You can bet they're going bargain basement in many cases and turning a blind eye to what corners the Chinese might be cutting to win the supplier contract.

edit: bad editing, lol

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