PHILADELPHIA, PA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Philadelphia have seized a noncompliant wheeled backhoe tractor imported from China that was intended for delivery to a residence in Burlington County, New Jersey. The tractor was found to violate the Clean Air Act due to its engine’s failure to meet U.S. environmental standards.
CBP officers first detained the tractor on February 1 after identifying irregularities in the accompanying documentation. Following a detailed inspection on February 11 by CBP officers and an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliance officer, the tractor’s engine was deemed noncompliant with EPA certification requirements for use within the United States.
On February 28, the EPA issued an official determination affirming that the tractor violated the Clean Air Act, which prohibits the importation of vehicles, engines, and equipment that do not meet strict emission standards. These regulations apply to both new and used equipment produced domestically or abroad.
The assessment, carried out with input from the Automotive and Aerospace Center of Excellence and Expertise, valued the tractor at $7,679. CBP officers officially seized the equipment on Wednesday.
Cleatus P. Hunt, Jr., CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia, stated, “The internet marketplace and global supply systems have made it easier for consumers to purchase products from foreign markets. Even though products like this tractor are easier to buy, consumers must still exercise their due diligence and ensure that the product they intend to purchase complies with all applicable U.S. safety and import laws.”
This incident spotlights the critical collaboration between CBP and the EPA in enforcing standards designed to safeguard public health and environmental quality. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying compliance with U.S. regulations when importing goods from international markets.
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