Who is liable as the end consumer for imported products outside the EU? - A financial expert explains things

Who is liable as the end consumer for imported products outside the EU? - A financial expert explains things

According to a report by www.mdr.de,

A new trend in online shopping is buying cheap products from China. Many consumers are excited by the opportunity to purchase high-quality goods at low prices. However, there are some legal aspects that consumers should be aware of, particularly when it comes to product liability.

According to Ralf Reichertz, head of the consumer law department at the Thuringia Consumer Center, end consumers can theoretically be considered importers if they purchase products outside the EU and bring them onto the market, for example by selling or renting them. This means that they may be liable in the event of any damage for which they are held responsible. This results from Section 4 Paragraph 2 of the Product Liability Act. Although there is currently no clear case law on this, there is a possibility that consumers will be held liable for damage caused by imported products.

This situation has potential implications for the market and consumers. Firstly, it may make consumers more cautious about ordering products from abroad, especially those containing batteries, as shipping batteries is delicate and may not necessarily meet EU standards. This could lead to a decline in imports of certain products. In addition, uncertainty regarding liability could lead consumers to purchase products from abroad less frequently, which could negatively impact international trade.

Overall, the discussion about product liability for imported goods shows that the trend towards purchasing cheap products from China and other countries not only has positive effects, but also brings with it some legal and economic challenges. Consumers should therefore be aware of the potential liability as importers and should exercise caution when making purchases.