Thousands of Unsafe Chinese-Made Products Seized From Discount Megastore

Victorian Consumer Affairs officers have seized thousands of items from Panda Mart, saying they posed a range of dangers.

RobHainer/iStock

Consumer Affairs Victoria has raided Panda Mart, a newly opened discount megastore in Cranbourne, over serious product safety violations, including toys and household goods that pose choking, strangulation, or fire risks.

The store, which sells 28,000 low-cost items including homewares, sporting goods, and beauty products, mostly imported from China, opened on Feb. 27. It proved so popular that police were called on March 3 to control large crowds of shoppers pushing past staff to get into the store.

By the end of its first weekend, shelves were stripped bare, and stock was scattered across the floor.

However, inspectors have now seized multiple products that fail to meet Australian safety laws.

“Thousands of goods seized by Consumer Affairs Victoria last night and today do not comply with mandatory information or safety standards for products,” said Nicole Rich, the director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, in a statement on March 5.

“Such goods include bike helmets, archery sets, luggage straps, toy guns, children’s make up sets, birthday cards, glitter balls, calculators and flashing toys supplied by Panda Mart.”

Deadly Button Battery Hazards

The items taken off the shelves include toys and baby rattles containing button batteries that were inadequately secured or labelled.

“Button batteries pose an extreme risk—they can burn through the oesophagus (swallowing tube) of children who ingest them in just two hours, causing internal burns, severe bleeding or death,” said Rich.

Other products taken by inspectors include dangerous projectiles, strangulation hazards, and unregulated cosmetics, which fail to meet required safety standards.

Authorities Crack Down

Consumer Affairs says it is working with the business to remove any remaining dangerous goods.

However, under Australian consumer law, businesses can face fines of up to $50 million, and individuals of up to $2.5 million, for supplying products that do not meet mandatory safety standards.

The department’s director, Nicole Rich, said businesses had an obligation to ensure the items they sold did not pose a danger to the public.

“We know many Victorians are looking for bargains when they’re shopping given the cost of living, but they shouldn’t have to worry about picking up dangerous products at the same time, especially ones for babies and kids,” she said.

“We’ve responded quickly to take action and remove these products from the shelves—but it’s up to businesses to understand the law and not stock them in the first place.

“Given the significant risks posed by button batteries and non-compliance with safety standards, I urge consumers to be cautious about purchasing goods from Panda Mart.”

Consumers who have already purchased such items can return those items to Panda Mart for a full refund.

Product Safety Australia has ordered the recall of Christmas light-up rings sold at the same store, and temporary hair colour sold at a different Panda Mart branch.

Similar Issues Plague Temu

When it first opened, many consumers called Panda Mart “an in-store version of Temu,” the controversial Chinese e-commerce platform known for selling cheap but frequently unsafe goods.

A 2024 investigation by consumer advocacy group CHOICE found every one of a random sample of 15 of the site’s products were dangerous for use and failed safety testing against Australian regulations—many due to button battery hazards, loose screws, or missing warnings.

These included camera projectors, children’s watches, spinning tops, LED tea lights, and light-up tutus.

Product Safety Australia has also ordered the recall of several Temu products, including a pop-up beach tent with a built-in pool, a glow-in-the-dark hooded jumper, a foldable baby stroller, and four different brands of “headlights” for Crocs shoes.

Meanwhile, Panda Mart’s New Zealand operations are also under scrutiny, with the Commerce Commission investigation investigating whether the retailer has supplied unsafe children’s products in violation of national safety standards.

In particular, the Commission is concerned about the safety of a number of children’s toys, children’s bicycles, and baby walkers.

With safety breaches piling up, authorities are urging customers to check product labels, follow recall notices, and report any unsafe items.

Parents or carers who suspect their child has swallowed a button battery should call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately. If the child is struggling to breathe, call 000.