Countdown one month!! The U.S. CPSC eFiling is about to take effect

Attention to all companies exporting consumer goods to the United States: Urgent alert!! Starting from July 8, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will mandate electronic filing (eFiling) for regulated imported consumer products. Note, this is not optional, it is a strict customs clearance requirement! To prevent companies from being directly subjected to customs inspections, seizures, delays, or even facing hefty fines, this article thoroughly covers the core of the new regulations, applicable product categories, and filing requirements to help you comply and mitigate risks!

Implementation time:

July 8, 2026: Consumer products regulated by CPSC imported outside of free trade zones.

January 8, 2027: Consumer products regulated by CPSC imported through free trade zones.

1.What is eFiling?

eFiling is a CPSC initiative under which importers of regulated consumer products will electronically file (eFile) data elements from a certificate of compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), via a Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set. In simple terms, eFiling is a requirement in the United States for importing consumer goods, where product safety certificates must be submitted to customs online before the goods arrive at the port. This allows high-risk goods to be identified in advance, thereby speeding up the clearance process for compliant products.

2.Which imported consumer goods will be affected?

This new regulation covers all imported consumer products regulated by the CPSC. Imported products under the scope of CPC (Children’s Product Certificate) and GCC (General Certificate of Conformity) certificates are required to complete eFiling. This includes, but is not limited to, the following products:

∙ Children's toys

∙ Children's high chair

∙ Baby carrier

∙ Pacifiers

∙ Apparel

∙ Carpets and rugs

∙ Children's footwear

∙ Children's jewelry

∙ Button batteries and products containing button batteries

∙ Bassinets and cradles

......

3.How to complete eFiling?

CPSC has opened two compliance declaration channels to accommodate different business operation models:

1). Full PGA Message Set

Directly through CBP's ACE customs system, submit all 7 core data items at once, suitable for companies with few SKUs and a single product category per declaration.

*7 core data items:

① Product ID

② Citation Codes

③ Date of Manufacture

④ Place of Manufacture

⑤ Product Test Date

⑥ Testing Laboratory

⑦ Point of Contact

2). Product Registry and Reference PGA Message Set

Pre-store complete certificate data in the CPSC product registration system in advance. During customs clearance, only the certifier ID, product ID, and version ID need to be submitted. The system automatically retrieves the registered data, which is suitable for companies with many SKUs and bulk shipments, making it efficient and time-saving.

CTT tips:

The forthcoming mandatory eFiling requirements will substantially alter market access procedures for consumer products entering the United States. Relevant enterprises must initiate preparatory measures immediately to ensure compliance with the new regulations and maintain uninterrupted market access. Currently, the CPSC has activated its self-service registration portal. Importers may establish corporate accounts autonomously through the CPSC Product Registry without requiring CPSC-issued invitation letters for account creation.

CTT is a CPSC-Accepted third-party laboratory and has been recognized and trusted by many international brand owners and traders. With rich experience and resources in product testing and CPC, GCC certificates, CTT is committed to providing you with a one-stop compliance solution for product exports, ensuring a smooth and efficient eFiling process and eliminating your worries.