JEWELLERY which arrived into Birmingham Airport has been seized by Solihull Council after tests revealed it contained harmful substances.
The council’s trading standards officers were alerted to potentially unsafe goods coming from China by border authorities so officers intercepted the consignment to investigate.
Documents accompanying the jewellery suggested it was very cheap – 10 US cents for eight pairs of earrings.
Consequently, officers took a sample of the jewellery and sent it away for testing, the council says.
The results showed the jewellery (643 packets including roughly 2,770 pairs of earrings) contained an excessive level of nickel – which can be harmful to health in excessive quantities.
Councillor Alison Rolf, cabinet member for stronger communities and partnerships, said: “Importing goods from abroad has become more common in recent years with the rise of internet shopping and it’s crucial we ensure any items entering the borough are safe.
“This is a great example of organisations working together to prevent dangerous products from coming into the marketplace, thus protecting people from harm.”
The jewellery will be sent away for destruction.