A consumer is allowed to have one beanie baby for personal use every 30 days,'' Customs officer Ralph Hackney said. In the United States the phenomenal demand for beanies outstrips supply, but Canadians are apparently less enchanted by the toys and there are plenty available. With the attractive exchange rate and the pent-up demand, there has been a daily stampede. U.S. Customs agents in St. Albans, Vermont, seized one cache of about 1,500 stuffed toys obviously meant for resale. We look like ogres,'' lamented Customs officer Bob Blanchard from his post in St. Albans.
Hackney searches vehicles coming from Canada across the border at Calais, Maine.
On an average day, he said he seizes a handful of the plush toys and advises their crestfallen owners how to avoid prosecution. Hackney's biggest bust so far has been 15 Beanie Babies. Outlaws can either return the contraband to the Canadian store where they bought it, or place a toll free phone call asking the manufacturer, privately held, Illinois-based Ty Inc. for permission to bring in extras. Ty officials could not be reached for comment. There is no mention of the trademark problems on the company's Internet site, but the Web provides a means for collectors to trade both the stuffed toys and information.