5,100 Tablet Computers Seized at Port

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers seized more than 5,000 tablet computers at the Port of Long Beach this week after they discovered the shipment contained electrical adaptors with counterfeit safety labels attached.

According to CBP, the adaptors, which arrived in a shipment from China, had fake ETL Listed and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) markings on them.

Genuine ETL and UL markings indicate the product has been rigorously tested for potential risk of shock, fire and personal injury. 

"Of paramount importance, for CBP officers and import specialists is the protection of consumers, particularly when counterfeit electronic equipment may pose unsafe risks to the unsuspecting public," said Todd Owen, the director of CBP field operations in Los Angeles.

In all, authorities seized 4,705 nine inch tablets and 396 seven inch tablets along with their chargers. CBP said the estimated the retail value of the seized merchandise was close to $900,000.

In the fiscal year 2011, CBP said that unsafe electronics represented 17 percent of all commodities seized by the organization nationwide.