CHINESE customs officials have seized a 405-metric-ton shipment of junked computer parts and other electronic waste shipped illegally from the United States, an official said yesterday.

　　The disclosure added to evidence that China’s trade in imported computer waste meant for recycling is thriving despite a crackdown launched in May after reports of health dangers from unsafe handling.

　　The 22 shipping containers full of electronic garbage were seized this month in the port of Wenzhou in East China’s Zhejiang Province, said a customs official there.

　　The waste included computer monitors, keyboards, photocopy machines and television sets, said the official.

　　He said the case is still under investigation.

　　Small Chinese companies, many of them in areas near Hong Kong, tear apart derelict computers and other electronic items to recover gold and other materials.

　　Most workers have no protection from toxic fumes released by melting down parts.

　　(SD-Agencies)