CPSC eFiling Requirements Begin July 8, 2026: What Importers Need to Know

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission will introduce a major import compliance change on July 8, 2026. From that date, importers of most regulated consumer products that require certification must electronically submit certificate data to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The new process is called CPSC eFiling. Importers will submit the information through the Automated Commercial Environment, or ACE. The new rule affects many companies that sell consumer products in the United States.

However, the rule does not mean that every imported consumer product needs a new certificate. The rule applies when a product already requires certification under a safety rule, standard, ban, or regulation enforced by the CPSC.

What Is CPSC eFiling?

CPSC eFiling is an electronic system for submitting product compliance certificate data during the customs entry process.

Importers currently need to create and maintain compliance certificates for covered products. These certificates include Children’s Product Certificates and General Certificates of Conformity. The new rule adds a requirement to send the required certificate information electronically when the goods enter the United States.

The CPSC will use this information to review imported products and identify shipments that may present a higher compliance risk. The agency states that better certificate data can also reduce unnecessary inspections of compliant shipments.

Which Products Are Covered?

The new requirement applies to imported finished products that are subject to CPSC certification requirements.

Children’s products that are subject to an applicable safety rule usually require a Children’s Product Certificate. The certificate must generally rely on testing from a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory.

Certain non-children’s products require a General Certificate of Conformity. The importer must base the certificate on testing or a reasonable testing program.

Covered products may include certain toys, cribs, strollers, bicycle helmets, mattresses, furniture products, and products containing button cell or coin batteries. However, the product category alone does not decide whether eFiling applies. The specific product design and applicable CPSC rule determine the requirement.

Importers should check the CPSC regulations, mandatory standards, and bans for each product. Importers can also use the CPSC Regulatory Robot to identify possible product requirements.

Does the Rule Apply to Low-Value Shipments?

The rule also applies to Section 321 shipments, which people often call de minimis shipments.

The CPSC eFiling FAQ states that a product requiring certification must have an eFiled certificate regardless of the shipment’s value. Therefore, a low declared value does not create an automatic eFiling exemption.

This rule is important for e-commerce sellers and companies that ship individual orders directly to U.S. customers. These businesses should not assume that small parcels can enter without the required certificate data.

What Information Must Importers Submit?

The CPSC identifies seven main certificate data elements for the Full PGA Message Set:

1. The importer must provide a clear product identification.
2. The importer must provide the applicable safety rule citation codes.
3. The importer must provide the manufacturing date.
4. The importer must provide the manufacturing location.
5. The importer must provide the product testing date.
6. The importer must identify the testing laboratory.
7. The importer must provide a compliance contact.

The information must match the product, test report, certificate, and shipment records. Importers should review the data before their customs broker submits the entry.

How Can Importers Submit the Data?

Importers can generally use two filing methods.

The first method is the Full PGA Message Set. Under this method, the importer provides all required certificate data to the customs broker. The broker then sends the information through ACE during the entry process.

The second method uses the CPSC Product Registry. The importer enters and stores certificate information in the registry before shipment. The importer then gives the customs broker a certificate reference number. The broker submits that reference through a Reference PGA Message Set.

The Product Registry may be useful for companies that import the same products many times. The system can reduce repeated data entry. However, the importer must keep each certificate record accurate and current.

A customs broker may transmit the information, but the importer remains responsible for the product’s certification and the accuracy of the data.

What Is the Deadline for Foreign Trade Zone Entries?

Most covered imports must comply from July 8, 2026.

The rule provides a later date for products that enter a U.S. Foreign Trade Zone and are later entered for consumption or warehousing. The eFiling requirement for these products begins on January 8, 2027.

Companies that use an FTZ should not apply the later deadline to ordinary imports. The different date only applies to qualifying FTZ entries.

How Should Importers Prepare?

Importers should review their compliance process before the deadline.

First, each importer should identify every imported SKU that may be subject to a CPSC rule. The importer should not make decisions based only on a broad product name or customs code.

Second, each importer should collect the current CPC or GCC, test reports, manufacturing information, laboratory details, and compliance contact information.

Third, each importer should decide whether to use the Full PGA Message Set or the Product Registry.

Fourth, each importer should confirm the filing process with its customs broker, suppliers, testing laboratories, and software providers.

Fifth, each importer should test the data process before a commercial shipment reaches the U.S. port. Early testing can help the importer find missing or inconsistent information.

Conclusion

The CPSC eFiling rule changes how importers submit consumer product compliance information. From July 8, 2026, most importers of regulated products that require certification must electronically file certificate data through CBP’s ACE system.

The rule does not automatically cover every toy, battery, bicycle, mattress, or household product. The rule only applies when a CPSC requirement already requires the product to have a certificate.

Importers should review each product separately. They should also coordinate with suppliers, laboratories, customs brokers, and logistics providers before shipping. Accurate preparation can reduce filing errors and avoid unnecessary customs delays.