Do you import products into the U.S. that fall under the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s jurisdiction? Take note.

Starting July 8, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will require importers to file certificate of compliance (Certificate) data elements electronically at the time of entry.

Many businesses still rely on paper documents to show their products meet safety standards. In July, that process goes digital, and you must submit Certificate data directly to U.S Customs at the time of entry.

The updated rule modernizes the import process, but if you aren’t prepared, you may face disruption at the border.

What changes on July 8, 2026

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is moving from paper-based certificate review to electronic filing.

Starting July 8, 2026, you must submit required certificate data electronically (eFile) for regulated consumer products, to confirm the product meets applicable U.S. consumer product safety rules.

This certificate data may include:

A description of the finished product.
The party certifying product compliance.
The safety rules that apply to the product.
The date and place where the product was manufactured.
The date and place where the product was tested.
Contact information for the person who maintains test records.

You submit this information through U.S. Customs systems alongside your entry data instead of keeping it only in your records.

That means your Certificate data must be ready before products arrive.

Don’t rely only on tariff codes

The CPSC has provided a list of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes that are likely to include products subject to eFiling.

That list can help you identify products that may be flagged, but it does not cover every regulated product.

You’re still responsible for knowing whether your products are subject to CPSC requirements, even if your product is classified under an HTS code that isn’t on the list.

That distinction matters. A product may still require a certificate even if it doesn’t appear on an automated flagging list.

What you should do now

Start by understanding your products, your data, and your supply chain. Here are practical steps to take before July 8.

1. Identify which products are regulated
Review your product catalog and identify which items are subject to CPSC rules.
Focus on finished consumer products that may require certification, such as children’s products, electronics, household goods, recreational products, furniture, and other regulated consumer items.

2. Confirm whether each product needs a certificate
Not every product requires the same type of certification. Confirm which products need a Certificate of Compliance and what information each one must include.

For each regulated finished product, make sure you have complete, current certificate data tied to the specific product you are importing.

3. Gather data from suppliers and testing partners
You may need information from manufacturers, suppliers, labs, or other business partners.
Start those conversations now. Make sure your partners understand what information you need, when you need it, and how they should provide it.

Key details may include manufacturing location, testing location, applicable safety rules, test dates, and the contact responsible for maintaining records.

4. Decide how you’ll file
Two methods are available for filing:

Option A: Submit full data at entry
• All required Certificate data is submitted each time an entry is filed

Option B: Use the Product Registry
• Certificate data is uploaded into the registry in advance
• You then reference that data for future shipments

Review your options and choose the filing approach that makes the most sense for your business based on criteria such as shipment volume, systems, and internal processes.

If you plan to use the Product Registry, make sure your certificate data is entered and ready before the mandatory date.

5. Check your data for accuracy
Incomplete or inaccurate data can create problems at the border.

Before July 8, review your certificate data for errors. Make sure each certificate data matches the correct finished product and aligns with your entry details.

Pay close attention to product descriptions, manufacturers, testing dates, safety rules, and tariff classifications.

6. Build electronic filing into your import process
This is not just a documentation change. It is a process change.
Update your internal workflows so you collect certificate data earlier and share it with your customs broker before entry filing.

Your teams may need to update internal workflows so certificate data is collected earlier and shared with your customs broker before entry filing.

Make sure your purchasing, compliance, logistics, and customs teams understand the new requirement. Everyone involved in moving regulated goods into the United States needs to know what is changing.

7. Prepare before the goods arrive
Timing matters most.
Have your certificate data ready before your shipment reaches the border. If required information is missing at entry, your team may need extra time to gather or correct it.

That’s why timing matters.

What happens if you’re not ready

CPSC will begin enforcement when the rule becomes mandatory.

If required data is missing, incomplete, or questionable, your shipments may be selected for review.

Possible consequences include:

Shipment holds
Cargo exams
Clearance delays
Refusal of admission
Storage, demurrage, and handling costs
Increased scrutiny on future shipments
Civil or criminal penalties for false or incomplete statements
Damage to customer relationships and business reputation

In some cases, CPSC exams can hold cargo for up to 60 days, and you are responsible for the related costs.

If you operate on tight delivery timelines, even a short delay can cause serious disruption.

If you use a foreign-trade zone…

The July 8, 2026, deadline applies to most regulated consumer products imported into the United States.
For goods admitted into a foreign-trade zone and later entered for consumption, mandatory eFiling begins January 8, 2027.

A simple readiness checklist

Use this checklist to guide your preparation:

Review your imported products.
Identify which products are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Confirm which products require a Certificate of Compliance.
Gather required certificate data from suppliers, manufacturers, and labs.
Decide whether you’ll use full filing or Product Registry reference filing.
Check product and certificate data for accuracy.
Share complete information with your customs broker before entry filing.
Update internal processes so data is available before shipments arrive.
Train the teams involved in product sourcing, compliance, logistics, and customs.
Review high-volume or high-risk products first.

The deadline is close. Preparation matters.

Electronic filing gives the CPSC better visibility into product safety compliance at the time of import. For you, that means more responsibility before your goods arrive at the border.

The best way to reduce risk is to prepare now.

Know which products are covered. Confirm your certificates. Gather your data early. Work with your suppliers and service providers. Make sure your customs broker has what they need before filing.

July 8, 2026, is the mandatory date. If you’re ready, you will be in a stronger position to keep goods moving. If you’re not, you may face delays, added costs, and enforcement risk.

The post CPSC eFiling deadline is approaching: What you should do now appeared first on Livingston International.

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