CPSC Mandatory eFiling

CPSC Mandatory eFiling

Jul 10, 2026

ARI Shipping Corp. is sending this notice to make you aware of an important CPSC import compliance update that may affect certain consumer products imported into the United States.


The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has implemented mandatory electronic filing (eFiling) of certificate data for imported consumer products subject to CPSC certification requirements.


For most imported regulated consumer products, this requirement went into effect on July 8, 2026. For applicable products entered from a Foreign Trade Zone for consumption or warehousing, the effective date is January 8, 2027.


This requirement applies to imported products that require a CPSC Certificate of Compliance, including:


GCC – General Certificate of Conformity


For applicable general-use / non-children’s products.


CPC – Children’s Product Certificate


For applicable children’s products designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger.


CPSC has stated that eFiling does not create new product testing or certification obligations. Rather, it changes how required certificate information is submitted to CPSC/CBP through ACE at the time of entry.


As the importer, you are responsible for determining whether your products are subject to CPSC requirements, whether a GCC or CPC is required, and whether the certificate information is complete, accurate, and current. ARI Shipping Corp. cannot determine product safety compliance, testing requirements, applicable CPSC rules, or the accuracy of certificates on your behalf.


To avoid entry delays, please review your imported products and determine whether CPSC certificate data is required before entry filing.


For affected products, certificate data may generally be transmitted in one of two ways:


  1. Full PGA Message Set


Under this method, the importer provides the customs broker with the required certificate data elements for the imported product, and the broker files that information through the CPSC PGA Message Set in ACE at the time of entry.


The required certificate data elements generally include:


  1. Product ID/identification of the finished product, such as SKU, UPC, model number, serial number, GTIN, or other unique identifier
  2. Applicable CPSC citation codes/consumer product safety rules or standards
  3. Date of manufacture
  4. Place of manufacture, including the manufacturer’s name and address
  5. Date of product testing
  6. Testing laboratory information, if applicable, including name, address, and contact information
  7. Point of contact for the party maintaining the test records


This option may be appropriate for importers who do not regularly import affected products or who prefer to provide certificate data directly on a shipment-by-shipment basis.


  1. Reference PGA Message Set / CPSC Product Registry


Under this method, the importer enters and maintains certificate data in the CPSC Product Registry. The importer then provides the customs broker with the required certificate identifiers for filing at the time of entry.


If using the CPSC Product Registry, please note that the Product Registry does not automatically transmit certificate information to CBP/ACE. The importer must still provide the broker with the required identifiers so the certificate can be referenced in the entry filing.


The required identifiers are:


  1. Certifier ID
  2. Product ID
  3. Version ID


This option may be more efficient for importers who regularly import the same affected products, since the certificate information can be maintained in the Product Registry and referenced for repeat shipments, provided the certificate information remains accurate and current.


CPSC has also published an HTS guidance list to help the trade identify product categories that may be subject to certificate eFiling. However, CPSC has advised that the HTS list does not include every HTS code where an electronic certificate may be required. The importer remains responsible for determining whether certification and eFiling are required for each product.


Helpful CPSC resources are listed below:


CPSC eFiling for Importers:

https://www.cpsc.gov/efiling/importers


CPSC Product Registry Self-Registration:

https://efiling.saferproducts.gov/efiling/self-registration


CPSC eFiling Main Page:

https://www.cpsc.gov/eFiling


CPSC Product Registry:

https://www.cpsc.gov/eFiling-CPSC-Product-Registry


CPSC HTS Guidance List:

https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/CPSC-Guidance-and-HTS-List-for-Filing-of-Electronic-Certificates-6B-Cleared.pdf


If you import products that may be subject to CPSC requirements, please review your products with your compliance team, testing laboratory, manufacturer, product safety consultant, or legal counsel to confirm whether a GCC, CPC, and/or CPSC eFiling data is required.


Please provide any required certificate data or Product Registry identifiers to ARI Shipping Corp. before entry filing. Missing, incomplete, or inaccurate certificate information may result in entry delays or other issues outside of ARI Shipping Corp.’s control.


This notice is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, regulatory, product safety, or compliance advice. ARI Shipping Corp. is not responsible for determining whether your products are subject to CPSC requirements, whether your products comply with applicable CPSC rules, or whether the certificate information provided is complete or accurate.