December 10, 2025 – A consumer has reported receiving a 50-pack of what appear to be counterfeit Bic lighters from an eBay seller, raising serious safety concerns due to leaking fuel and potential fire and explosion hazards. The incident highlights potential risks associated with purchasing products from online marketplaces and challenges in reporting unsafe items.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On November 12, 2025, a consumer purchased a 50-pack of Bic lighters through an eBay store, receiving the order on November 15, 2025. Upon opening the package, the buyer immediately noticed that the packaging deviated from typical Bic product presentation. With 40 years of experience using Bic lighters, the consumer conducted thorough testing and physical examination, quickly determining the lighters to be counterfeit and unsafe.
The primary safety concern identified was a distinct smell of fuel leaking from multiple lighters, indicating a significant fire and explosive hazard. The consumer promptly submitted two reports to eBay—one for counterfeit product and another for unsafe product. eBay responded with an automated message acknowledging receipt but providing no immediate resolution for the safety issues.
Despite making three phone calls to eBay customer service, the consumer reported that eBay ignored the safety complaint, adhering strictly to internal policy. Notably, eBay requested the buyer to ship the unsafe, fuel-leaking items back to the seller, disregarding the inherent dangers of mailing hazardous materials. The consumer informed eBay that federal law prohibits the shipment of such items, a fact readily displayed in post offices. The individual alleges that eBay is knowingly allowing pirated and unsafe products on its platform and has refused to take immediate action, seemingly unconcerned about public safety risks or the act of requesting buyers to return hazardous goods via mail. The manufacturer, BIC USA Inc., has not yet provided a response to this incident report.
Safety Concerns
The reported incident with the counterfeit Bic lighters presents a range of serious safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers: Leaking lighter fluid poses an immediate and severe risk of fire and explosion. Even a small spark or heat source could ignite the flammable fuel, leading to uncontrolled fires.
- Explosion Hazard: Lighter fluid, when contained and exposed to heat, can build pressure, leading to an explosive rupture of the lighter body. This could result in serious injury or death, as well as significant property damage.
- Unpredictable Performance: Counterfeit products often lack the rigorous quality control and safety features of genuine items. This can lead to unpredictable ignition, flame control issues, or structural failures that increase the risk of accidents during use.
- Chemical Exposure: Direct contact with leaking lighter fluid can cause skin irritation or chemical burns. Inhalation of fuel vapors can also be harmful, particularly in enclosed spaces.
- Wider Public Risk: If these counterfeit lighters are widely available, a larger number of consumers could unknowingly be exposed to these hazards, leading to widespread incidents.
- Property Damage Potential: A fire or explosion initiated by a defective lighter could cause extensive damage to homes, vehicles, or other property, leading to significant financial loss.
What Consumers Should Do
If you have purchased Bic lighters from an online marketplace like eBay, particularly a 50-pack with unusual packaging or at a suspiciously low price, take immediate action:
- Do Not Use: Under no circumstances should you attempt to use or ignite lighters that smell of leaking fuel or appear counterfeit.
- Isolate Safely: Carefully place any suspected unsafe lighters in a non-combustible container (e.g., a metal can) and store them in a well-ventilated area, away from any heat sources, open flames, sparks, or anything that could ignite them. Do not store them indoors or near living spaces.
- Do Not Attempt to Mail: It is illegal and extremely dangerous to ship hazardous materials like leaking lighters through standard mail services (e.g., USPS). Do not attempt to return them to the seller via mail.
- Report the Seller: If you suspect you have received counterfeit or unsafe products, report the seller and the specific item listing to the online marketplace (e.g., eBay). Ensure you clearly articulate the safety hazards.
- Contact Your Local Fire Department: For guidance on safe disposal of hazardous materials like leaking lighters, contact your local fire department or hazardous waste disposal facility. They can provide specific instructions for your area.
- Report to CPSC: File a report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.SaferProducts.gov to help prevent further incidents and inform regulatory action.
- Check for Authenticity: Compare your lighters to genuine Bic products. Look for consistent branding, quality of materials, clear fuel levels (if applicable), and ensure the mechanism operates smoothly without resistance or excessive fuel smell. Be wary of unusual packaging or spelling errors on the product.
Manufacturer’s Response
As of the date of this report, no response has been provided by BIC USA Inc. regarding this incident.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.