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  4. Laredo Field Office reminds traveling public not to bring freon canisters, it is illegal and may result in fines and/or vehicle seizure

Laredo Field Office reminds traveling public not to bring freon canisters, it is illegal and may result in fines and/or vehicle seizure

Release Date
Tue, 07/09/2024

LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Laredo Field Office ports of entry are reminding the traveling public not to bring hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) (freon) canisters from Mexico as their importation is restricted and must adhere to strict federal commercial importation requirements. Bringing undeclared freon canisters from a foreign country in a passenger vehicle may result in fines and/or vehicle seizures.

“We want to strongly remind the traveling public not to bring in freon canisters from Mexico as that is contrary to existing federal law and may result in fines or vehicle seizure, even federal prosecution,” said Director, Field Operations Donald Kusser, Laredo Field Office. “CBP actively enforces laws from a variety of federal agencies, including the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 and the Clean Air Act, which prohibit importation of HFCs such as those contained in freon canisters in a manner that is not compliant with Environmental Protection Agency restrictions.”

Boxes of freon canisters discovered by CBP officers within the cargo area of a vehicle.
Boxes of freon canisters discovered by CBP officers within the cargo area of a vehicle.

According to the EPA, HFCs are potent greenhouse gases that cause climate change and used in applications such as refrigeration, air conditioning, building insulation, fire extinguishing systems and aerosols. The global warming potential of an HFC can be hundreds to thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Beginning on January 1, 2022, EPA regulations prohibit any person from importing bulk regulated HFCs, except by expending, at the time of import, a consumption or application-specific allowance issued by the EPA. No person may sell or distribute, or offer for sale or distribution, any regulated HFC that was imported illegally.

Those who bring in canisters of such regulated HFCs without adhering to EPA regulations face a fine for failure to declare the item and the vehicle used in the furtherance of the violation may be subject to seizure.

Follow the Director of CBP’s Laredo Field Office on X at @DFOLaredo and also U.S. Customs and Border Protection at @CBPSouthTexas for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We facilitate safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.

Last Modified: Jul 09, 2024