Aliexpress product retired because illegal - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: screwbreaker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 01:32:52 pm
content: I got an email from Aliexpress today. It seems legit. But had to read it many times, because, it sound too strange to me.The email say tat a product I bought, a BGA flux from the brand MECHANIC, is illegal, due to "Excessive Chemical".They also say to immediately stop using it! I'm a bit worried now. I got this flux because ..., I don't know why. I never used it, and I didn't even recall where I put it.The item don't seem sold anymore on aliexpress, but I can found it elsewhere.The email also say I can as a refund. Maybe I'll try that. But, I still wonder what the heck mean "Excessive Chemical" in a flux?It's the first time I got an email like this form aliexpress. It's strange, I thought they don't care at all, about the safety of what they sell.Some one else have received emails like this?I post here because I don't know where else to fit in the forum, and it feel a little dodgy to me.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 01:52:05 pm
content: This would be the equivalent of a product recall. Good to see, and I'm guessing it has been initiated by Mechanic and not AliExpress.The term "illegal" may not be correctly translated. It has many synonyms.As they mention "excessive chemical", I guess the flux may be incorrectly formulated. So it may be harmful to either persons (fumes) or circuitry (corrosion without proper cleaning).Alternatively, it could be fake or bootleg product. The above could also be true in this case.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 04:56:16 pm
content: I should have checked the unread posts first. Received a similar mail today too and made a thread about it in the general chat section.I don't think it is dodgy at all. It is also nice to know that they do care.Already applied for the refund, but had to use the chat function for it, because the order details page button to request a refund fails with the fact that the time to ask for a refund has expired. Ordered it more then two moths ago.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 05:10:22 pm
content: I suspect this might be something as simple as selling lead containing solder paste to individuals in EU.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 05:17:37 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on October 30, 2024, 05:10:22 pmThe paste I ordered was supposed to be lead free.I have ordered leaded solder on Aliexpress and Banggood before and customs might stick a warning label on it, but that is it. Must be something else.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 09:23:28 pm
content: The brand you posted in the other thread was "KEK" and this is Mechanic right.Still seem to be various mechanic flux listed but don't know if they are the same ones:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003580593324.htmlIf you look at order history, might be worth trying to ask the seller if they know of the recall?

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 09:47:29 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on October 30, 2024, 05:10:22 pmquite surprising that they care, here the minister of commerce basically said that there is not much they can do to stop dangerous products from foreign webshops. Right now there a running an information campaign that you should probably avoid buying stuff for your kids on Temu et.al. because a lot it contains banned chemicals.I guess if you want to sell something and don't want the hassle of complying with regulations and doing compliance testing, just sell on a webshop in some other country

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 10:08:16 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on October 30, 2024, 09:23:28 pmInterestingly, the above link when accessed from over here leads to: "Sorry, this item's currently unavailable in your location."

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 10:23:10 pm
content: Quote from: langwadt on October 30, 2024, 09:47:29 pmYes been suggested a few times here. Can do through seeed if its just a regulations thing:https://www.seeedstudio.com/co-create.htmQuote from: SiliconWizard on October 30, 2024, 10:08:16 pmMaybe OP can link the item from their order and I can see if it still works or not.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 10:50:18 pm
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on October 30, 2024, 10:08:16 pmWorks for me in NZ. I suspect it must be an EU regulatory thing. Wonder what's in it that is the problem, it's flux not paste so it's not going to be lead.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2024, 02:05:40 am
content: Quote from: sleemanj on October 30, 2024, 10:50:18 pmProbably is, I noticed there are quite a few items, in particular chemicals and batteries, that are restricted to ship over here. Since it seems to be a per-seller rather than exactly per-item thing, I suspect the seller can exclude some countries to avoid any regulatory issues or complications.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2024, 05:37:56 am
content: Quote from: Kean on October 30, 2024, 01:52:05 pmMechanic is an Indian brand so it could well be a recall from their side.(Who knows how these things end up on Aliexpress).

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2024, 06:42:13 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on October 30, 2024, 09:23:28 pmI can still find some shops selling the KEK branded stuff.https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007817469339.htmlhttps://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007549488272.htmlThe shop I got it from does not list it anymore.Maybe it is because it is not halogen free and not allowed to be used in the EU based on that.Received an email this morning with a link to finish the refund process. Ticked the boxes and the refund is confirmed.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2024, 07:03:31 am
content: It probably is just a lead thing, but If china thinks it's bad enough to recall I would worry how bad it is.Do you have a Geiger counter, that is something I would check if it was me and I had one.China do love to put thorium powder in things.It's not all that dangerous unless you get it everywhere and it gets inside you. Or you keep it against your skin 24/7That's probably the only thing I would genuinely worry about enough to check.But the likelihood is pretty low. Probably just lead based.

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2024, 08:53:43 am
content: I guess that's customs now stopping REACH non-compliant goods. At least Amazon Germany requires products to have a safety datasheet uploaded until mid december; not sure about the regulation, but it is likely some EU law being executed.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2024, 09:02:50 am
content: Quote from: Haenk on October 31, 2024, 08:53:43 amYep, that must be it, as it's suddenly becoming an obvious showstopper for getting anything containing some chemicals, and batteries shipped to the EU. I noticed that with Li-ion batteries a little while ago, and it's now hitting with an increasing number of other items. Extremely frustrating, currently.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2024, 09:22:41 am
content: Just had a look on Aliexpress for leaded paste in 250/500g tubs and found only one listing- definitely seems to be getting harder to find.A few Uk suppliers remaining but not clear if they have stock, and expensive.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2024, 10:27:00 pm
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on October 30, 2024, 10:08:16 pmThat has happened to me on multiple occasions with AliExpress links posted here on the forum. I don't think it has to do with any compliance or recall issues typically, but just with the fact that not all suppliers ship worldwide.Shipping to the EU, not only do they have to comply with VAT collection, but also with EU-driven package recycling schemes and whatever. Some sellers have not gotten around to jump through all the hoops, or they are just not interested given the overhead, so they don't or can't ship to all regions. It might be that Germany is affected even more than some other EU countries since we try to be poster children in implementing regulations early. Bureaucracy is on of our core competencies after all...

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2024, 07:41:29 am
content: The blocking of prohibited items is often just theatre, for example if you search for Baofeng radios on Ali from here you'll get zero results, they were banned for general public use because of how easily they could be used on emergency bands following some unfortunate incidents, however if you search for specific model numbers without using the word "Baofeng" they're all still available. Same with other things, a while back I came across a listing for "the product you want" in a plastic container, I assume it's some health quackery that's been banned for medical reasons but you can still get it under the right magic name.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2024, 12:10:23 am
content: They maybe, asked for your bank account info, so that they can conveniently deposit your refund ?Some scams, on seniors, even casually ask for your PIN #, for faster service.= = = Scam Alert ? = = =