In the global online shopping market, Chinese counterfeit products have been heavily scrutinized for containing dangerously high levels of carcinogenic heavy metals, posing hazardous health risks to consumers. As costs continue to rise, Chinese online retailers like AliExpress and Pinduoduo’s international counterpart, Temu, are attracting shoppers with their ultra-low-priced offerings. These products are making their way into international retail markets, including the United States and South Korea.
A recent investigation by the South Korean government revealed that a large number of Chinese counterfeit products contain dangerously high levels of carcinogenic heavy metals. Mainland China and Hong Kong account for 62.3 percent and 27.5 percent of these products, respectively, with Vietnam contributing an additional 10 percent. Counterfeit clothing, shoes, bags, and other items are being confiscated by the South Korean Customs Service, which observed a dramatic increase in such goods over the past four years, particularly during peak online shopping seasons.
In a study conducted by the Korean Central Customs Laboratory, 83 types of skin-contact products were analyzed for compliance with safety standards. Shockingly, 30 percent of these products were found to contain excessive levels of lead and cadmium, with some exceeding the permissible limits by up to 930 times. These harmful metals were also detected in counterfeit bags and wallets, posing a serious threat to consumers’ health.
The Korea Customs Service has warned that counterfeit products present not only a matter of intellectual property infringement but also a “serious threat to health.” In 2023, China overtook the United States to become the dominant player in South Korea’s cross-border e-commerce market, accounting for 46.4 percent of the market share. Chinese products are gaining popularity due to their low pricing, but concerns have been raised regarding the use of banned or toxic substances in these items as a means of cutting costs.
Toxic Chinese products have prompted public outcry and regulatory actions in various countries. A girl in the UK suffered severe burns from an artificial nail polish kit, while a consumer in Japan experienced skin necrosis from a mole removal cream purchased from Chinese online retailers. The incidents underscore the urgent need for increased vigilance and regulatory oversight to protect consumers from the dangers posed by these inferior products.