Genoa port authorities seize 50,000 pieces of toxic jewelry

Authorities in Genoa, Italy, have seized nearly 50,000 pieces of costume jewelry containing dangerous levels of heavy metals. The seizure occurred at the Pra' port during a joint operation by the Guardia di Finanza and the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli.

The shipment, arriving from China and destined for an Italian importing company, included necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and pendants. Chemical laboratory analyses revealed concentrations of lead up to 4.95 percent and cadmium as high as 49.1 percent, both significantly exceeding European Union safety limits. These metals pose health risks, particularly as the items are designed for prolonged direct contact with the skin.

In addition to the jewelry, officials inspected 1,299 pairs of sunglasses. Approximately 720 pairs lacked mandatory CE marking and required information, while another 579 possessed the marking but lacked the necessary technical documentation and EU declarations of conformity. Investigators have suspected attempted commercial fraud, and the legal representative of the importing company has been reported to judicial authorities.