Suffolk Trading Standards has revealed that during 2024 its Imports Team at the Port of Felixstowe refused entry to 349,000 consumer goods which were unsafe or non-compliant, many of them destined for third-party sellers on online marketplaces.
Among the items which presented a risk to UK consumers were 74,565 toys; 104,983 electrical goods; 38,248 cosmetic products; 965 e-scooters; and 30,898 chargers and adapters.
A counterfeit Dyson hairdryer emited smoke during testing (image credit: Suffolk Trading Standards)
The team also intercepted 500 counterfeit ‘Dyson’ hair dryers which were found to present an electrical shock and fire risk; when tested the product overheated, did not cut off, started to emit smoke and to melt.
Other products that caused concern were consignments of 300 unsafe air-fryers, 900 pet heating blankets, 3,000 fan heaters and 2,000 unsafe wall chargers.
Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, said: “The Port of Felixstowe is a huge gateway to the UK and our officers work extremely hard to intercept these dangerous items before they reach the marketplace.
“However unsafe goods can still slip through and I urge the public to be on the lookout for them and to let us know as soon as they come across them.”
Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council Cabinet member for Public Protection, said: “The work of Trading Standards in trying to keep us as consumers safe from dangerous and shoddily-made goods cannot be praised highly enough.
“The numbers of items intercepted reflects the need for people to be vigilant about what exactly they are buying, particularly online.”
