CPSC eFiling FAQ

Straight answers to the questions importers ask most about CPSC eFiling, mandatory since July 8, 2026.

When did CPSC eFiling become mandatory?

It already has. For most imported regulated consumer products the date was July 8, 2026. Products entered into a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) and later entered for consumption or warehousing follow on January 8, 2027.

What is CPSC eFiling?

It's the requirement to electronically file the data from your certificate of compliance with U.S. Customs (CBP) — as a PGA Message Set in the ACE system — at the time of entry. You still issue a certificate; eFiling sends its key data to Customs automatically when goods arrive.

Who has to eFile with CPSC?

Importers of consumer products subject to a CPSC rule, ban, standard, or regulation — both children's products (which need a Children's Product Certificate) and general-use products (which need a General Certificate of Conformity).

What's the difference between a CPC and a GCC?

A CPC certifies a children's product based on third-party testing by a CPSC-accepted lab. A GCC certifies a general-use (non-children's) product — like adult apparel, mattresses, or cigarette lighters — and doesn't require third-party testing.

What data do I have to file?

Generally: a product identifier, the applicable rule citations, the date and place of manufacture, the date of testing, the testing laboratory, and a certifier point of contact. Optional fields (Test Report URL, Key, and ID) are encouraged but not required.

How do I file certificate data with CPSC?

Three ways into the CPSC Product Registry: manual online entry, CSV bulk upload, or API integration. Manual entry works for a handful of products; CSV and API scale to a full catalog. Or eFiling Solutions can read your lab report and file the certificate for you.

What happens if I don't eFile?

Once eFiling is mandatory, missing or incorrect data at entry can get your shipment delayed or held. Importers with a clean filing record can also earn reduced inspections and shorter hold times.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For official requirements, see CPSC.gov/eFiling.