New US CPSC eFiling Requirements: What Australian Exporters Need to Know

From 8 July 2026, importers of most CPSC-regulated consumer products must electronically file Certificate of Compliance data for shipments entering the United States. Importers must file the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) Certificate of Compliance data electronically at the time of customs entry.

The new rule changes how importers submit compliance data, not which products need certification. Australian exporters need to confirm whether the requirement applies to their products and what happens if certificate data is not submitted correctly.

US Shipments that do not meet the requirement may be delayed or refused entry until the required certificate data is submitted.

   

        

   

     

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Summary of New CPSC eFiling Requirements

• Effective 8 July 2026: Importers of consumer products subject to CPSC certification requirements must eFile certificate data with CBP for applicable US entries.
• Foreign Trade Zone deadline: Shipments entered from a Foreign Trade Zone for consumption or warehousing must comply starting 8 January 2027.
• Around 600 Harmonised Tariff Schedule classifications have been flagged for possible CPSC eFiling, covering regulated products such as toys, children's products, apparel, and mattresses.
• Submission method: Certificate data is filed through CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) using the CPSC Participating Government Agency message set.
• No de minimis exemption: Regulated consumer products require electronic certificate data regardless of shipment value.
• Importer responsibility: The Importer of Record remains legally responsible for submitting accurate certificate data, even if a customs broker completes the filing.
• Affected products: Existing CPSC-regulated products remain subject to the same certification requirements. The change affects how certificate data is submitted rather than expanding the scope of regulated goods. 

If you are preparing regulated shipments for the United States, Couriers & Freight can help coordinate shipping within the new documentation timeframes.

What the New CPSC eFiling Requirements Mean for Australian Exporters

CPSC eFiling Effective Date and Deadlines

The final rule sets two separate compliance dates. For most CPSC-regulated consumer products, the US CPSC eFiling new requirements became effective on 8 July 2026, meaning entries filed on or after that date must include electronic Certificate of Compliance data submitted through ACE. 

Products imported into a Foreign Trade Zone and later entered for consumption or warehousing have a separate compliance date of 8 January 2027. Both dates apply regardless of shipment value, so exporters cannot rely on a low-value exemption. 

Which Products Are Affected

CPSC eFiling applies to imported products that already require a compliance certificate under an applicable CPSC rule, ban, standard or regulation. Around 600 Harmonised Tariff Schedule classifications have been identified for possible eFiling, giving exporters a practical starting point for checking their HTS codes.

Common categories affected include:

• Toys and children's products requiring a Children's Product Certificate
• Apparel and textiles subject to flammability standards
• Mattresses and bedding products
• General-use consumer products requiring a General Certificate of Conformity

The CPSC periodically updates guidance and supporting resources, so exporters should check the latest CPSC eFiling Product List before shipping regulated goods.

Certificate Data and the CPSC eFiling Document Library

Before a customs broker can eFile on an exporter's behalf, the exporter needs the certificate data ready. This includes an existing Children's Product Certificate or General Certificate of Conformity, along with product identification, manufacturing details, and testing laboratory information. The CPSC eFiling Document Library provides the official guidance for required certificate fields, including the eFiling Quick Start Guide and CSV upload templates.

Required data points typically include:

• Product identifier (SKU, model number, or UPC)
• Applicable CPSC rules or citation codes
• Manufacturing date and location
• Testing date, location, and laboratory details
• Certifier and records custodian contact information

Meeting the US CPSC eFiling new requirements means having this information ready before booking, not after departure. Exporters preparing shipment paperwork can also refer to the Preparing Documents guide to help organise the required documentation before shipping. 

Refer to the official CPSC eFiling Document Library for the latest certificate field requirements before submitting data. 

Submitting via the CPSC eFiling Product Registry

Two pathways exist for getting certificate data into ACE:

1. Full PGA Message Set: the exporter provides all seven certificate data elements to their customs broker, who files them directly with the entry.
2. Reference filing via the CPSC Product Registry: the exporter pre-registers certificate data in the CPSC Product Registry, then the broker files a shortened reference message set that points to the stored certificate.

Most Australian exporters rely on their customs broker or freight forwarder to manage submission because their filing systems and ACE integration determine which submission method can be used for each shipment. 

Both submission methods meet the requirement. Your customs broker will generally use the method supported by their filing system. For full technical guidance, exporters can consult the Federal Register final rule.

Ship Freight Through US Customs Under the New Requirements with Couriers & Freight

A customs broker needs certificate data before the shipment reaches ACE, and transit mode determines how much lead time an exporter has to gather it. Air freight moves faster, so documentation needs to be finalised earlier to meet the US CPSC eFiling new requirements before departure. Ocean freight allows more preparation time, but the same seven data elements must still reach the broker before entry.

Couriers & Freight coordinates air and ocean freight shipments to the US and works directly with customs brokers to help ensure certificate data reaches CBP through ACE before customs entry.

Get a quote for air freight to the USA to ship certificate-ready shipments through US customs on schedule.

   

        

   

     

Get an Air Freight Quote to the USA

     

Request a quote from Couriers & Freight to ship to the United States by air.

     Get a Quote Now