The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that electronic filing (eFiling) for imported consumer products will be available soon. July 8, 2026 The process has entered the mandatory phase. For consumer goods sellers, brands, and freight forwarders exporting to the United States, this is not just an additional step in the customs declaration process, but a change in the way customs clearance documents are prepared.
What is this change?
The CPSC regulates household and consumer products. Previously, importers primarily retained compliance documents and provided them when required by the CPSC or CBP; since 2024, the CPSC has piloted electronic filing, allowing the submission of certificate data through the CBP's ACE system. By July 8, 2026...Imported products regulated by the CPSC will be required to complete eFiling..
There are two ways to apply.
1) Complete PGA Message Set
If the product was not previously registered in the CPSC Product Registry, the importer needs to provide [information/documents]. 7 data points:
- Product ID (Product Identification Number)
- Applicable CPSC rules/certification criteria
- Finished product production date
- Manufacturer, producer, or assembler's name and address
- Latest test date for applicable rules
- Test organization name and address
- Contact information of the party storing test records
2) Simplify Reference PGA Message Set
If the product is already available CPSC Product Registry For registration in China, a simplified reference information set can be used instead, which typically only requires providing:
- Product ID
- Authenticator ID
- Version ID
What does this mean for sellers?
- Preparing your documents in advance is more important than submitting them at the last minute.
- Product registration is not mandatory, but it makes things easier for frequently imported goods.
- For unfamiliar product lines, it is recommended to prepare all 7 data items first.
- Incomplete documentation will increase the likelihood of customs clearance delays.
The CPSC's official FAQ also mentions that one of eFiling's goals is to reduce the detention and inspection of compliant products, allowing regulatory resources to be focused on higher-risk shipments.
In which situations might this procedure not be necessary?
The CPSC also stated that some shipments may fall under certification exemptions or enforcement discretion, for example:
- Items imported as spare parts;
- Personal items that have been repaired and re-imported for personal use;
- Gifts sent between individuals.
However, it is still advisable to clearly state this in the shipping documents to avoid the system defaulting to treating it as a regular shipment.
suggestion
- First, separate the products from the US line that are regulated by the CPSC.
- Confirm for each item whether it has the product ID, test date, test organization, and other relevant information;
- For high-frequency goods, it is recommended to register in the Product Registry as soon as possible;
- Align your declaration guidelines for ACE/PGA with customs brokers and freight forwarders in advance.
source
- CPSC eFiling FAQ:eFiling Frequently Asked Questions
- CPSC eFiling:eFiling – CPSC’s Modern Approach for Filing Certificate Data
- FedEx Regulatory Notice:Regulatory Alert: CPSC filing requirements in ACE
- Product Registry:CPSC Product Registry