Brazil’s Mattel ban could impact transshipments

BrazilÆs Mattel ban could impact transshipments Shipping intermediaries in South Florida are being warned to keep a watch on the status of Brazil's recent decision to ban imports of Mattel toys until safety issues can be addressed'it could impact transshipments through Florida.
   'Brazil has blocked licenses for Mattel toys made in China and that could affect transshipments through Florida,' says Lenny Feldman, an attorney with the firm Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg in Miami.
   Brazil announced last week it was banning China-origin Mattel products until a government study on the safety of those toys. The decision was announced by Brazil's Trade and Development Ministry.
   That move comes in the wake of Mattel's August announcement that it would recall millions of its Chinese-made toys because of the possibility paint containing lead was used on the toys, creating the possibility of a health hazard for children playing with the toys.
   Feldman said forwarders handling transshipments of Mattel toys bound for Brazil should be aware the shipments could be rejected. A statement on the Brazil Trade and Development Ministry website said the status of the ban would be reevaluated after the issue could be studied further.