EPA Accelerates Crackdown on Toxic and Poisonous Imports in Concert with CBP, Keeping Americans Safe

EPA Accelerates Crackdown on Toxic and Poisonous Imports in Concert with CBP, Keeping Americans Safe

EPA enforcement leadership joined CBP officials in southern California for an imports inspection demonstration and tour of the Port of Los Angeles to reinforce coordination and information-sharing.

December 23, 2025

SAN PEDRO, Calif. - On Friday, December 19, 2025, newly confirmed Assistant Administrator Jeffrey Hall, who oversees the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), and his Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Craig Pritzlaff traveled to southern California to accelerate law enforcement efforts to stop foreigners from profiting off sending poisons and pollution to the United States. Under the Trump administration, EPA is dramatically expanding its imports investigative capacity and enforcement scope beyond the limited efforts of previous years, launching broader investigations that target illegal pesticide and chemical smuggling operations across multiple sectors to safeguard communities, agricultural integrity, and national security. This stepped-up enforcement has led to the blocking of more than 200,000 pounds of illegal pesticide imports at ports across America this year.

In a visit that reaffirmed EPA's commitment to protecting America while furthering cooperative federalism and cross-agency partnerships, AA Hall met with Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport Port Director Africa R. Bell and other officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The EPA and CBP officials discussed how the two entities can continue working together to keep Americans safe from illegal and dangerous imports. This includes efforts to advance further sharing of information critical to inspection, enforcement, and coordination to hold violators accountable. AA Hall also participated in imports inspection demonstrations, visited CBP's examination warehouse, received a briefing from leadership of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and toured the Port of Los Angeles by boat.

EPA enforcement serves as the front line for protecting American families from the growing threat of illegal pesticides, toxic chemicals, and other polluting products. It leverages the agency's scientific expertise and regulatory authority to combat criminal operations that endanger public health. Chinese manufacturers and criminal cartels have increasingly exploited regulatory and enforcement gaps to flood American markets with dangerous chemicals, not only poisoning communities but also undermining farmers and businesses who follow federal law. EPA's revitalized, comprehensive imports enforcement directly supports the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) strategy by prioritizing the removal of harmful toxins from American communities and food systems.

"At the Trump EPA, we're committed to securing clean air, land, and water for all Americans," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Jeffrey Hall. "That means vigorously enforcing our nation's laws and vigilantly policing the products that come across our borders. We're grateful to have partners at CBP and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach who share our commitment to ensuring that imported products comply with the law and do not poison our communities."

"CBP has a mission to protect the United States from all threats. At times, those threats come in the form of illegal toxic pesticides and chemicals," said Port Director Africa R. Bell, Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport. "At the nation's largest seaport, CBP's longstanding partnership with the EPA is a critical component in CBP's ability to intercept toxins and prevent them from harming our communities and the environment."