The July 8 Deadline Is Real

Starting July 8, 2026, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires electronic filing of product safety certificates for all consumer product imports entering the United States. This has been in a voluntary pilot program since 2023, but it's going mandatory with no grace period.

If you import any product that a consumer will touch — electronics, kitchenware, furniture, toys, apparel, cosmetics, sporting goods — this applies to you.

Step 1: Determine Your Product Category

CPSC divides consumer products into two categories with different requirements:

Children's Products (age 12 and under): Require a Children's Product Certificate (CPC) backed by third-party testing from a CPSC-accepted laboratory. Testing must cover applicable ASTM standards, lead content (CPSIA), phthalates, and any product-specific rules.

Non-Children's Consumer Products: Require a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) based on testing or a reasonable testing program. Third-party lab testing is recommended but not always mandatory.

Not sure which category your products fall into? ClearPort's Disclaimer Bot determines your classification in 10 seconds.

Step 2: Get Your Testing in Order

For children's products, you need test reports from a CPSC-accepted laboratory. The list of accepted labs is available on the CPSC website, but ClearPort maintains an updated, searchable database with pricing and turnaround times.

Key testing requirements:

• ASTM F963 — Toy safety standard (mechanical, flammability, heavy metals)
• CPSIA Section 101 — Lead content limits (100 ppm substrate, 90 ppm surface)
• CPSIA Section 108 — Phthalate limits (0.1% for 8 specified phthalates)
• 16 CFR 1501 — Small parts testing (choking hazard)
• 16 CFR 1610 — Textile flammability

Step 3: Create Your Certificates

Your CPC or GCC must include:

• Product identification (description, model number)
• Citation of each CPSC rule or standard the product complies with
• Name and address of the importer or domestic manufacturer
• Contact information for the person maintaining test records
• Date and place of manufacture
• Date and place of testing, plus the testing lab name and address

ClearPort generates compliant CPCs and GCCs automatically from your product data and test reports.

Step 4: Set Up eFiling

eFiling is done through CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system. Your customs broker handles the actual filing, but they need your certificates and product data in a specific electronic format.

What to ask your broker:

• "Are you set up for CPSC eFiling through ACE?"
• "What format do you need my CPCs/GCCs in?"
• "Can you do a test filing before July 8?"

Step 5: Test Before the Deadline

Don't wait until July 8 to find out your filing process has gaps. Do a test run with your next shipment. File electronically even though it's still voluntary. Identify problems now when the consequences are a learning experience, not a port hold.

Run ClearPort's free compliance audit to see exactly where your products stand against the July 8 requirements. It takes 2 minutes and tells you what's ready, what's missing, and what to do next.