The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published new guidance extending the eFiling requirement for Certificates of Compliance to products imported into the United States via international mail. Beginning 22 October 2026, CPSC will require eFiled certificates for regulated consumer products arriving by mail, transmitted via a Full or Reference Message Set through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
The guidance is available in the CPSC eFiling Document Library.
Background: Why mail shipments are now in scope
Until now, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) did not collect entry data for products imported via international mail, so those shipments could not transmit the Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set required for CPSC-regulated products.
That changed with CBP's Interim Final Rule, Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments and New Postal Informal Entry Process, which requires mail shipments to file the new Entry Type 13 upon or prior to arrival in the United States. With Entry Type 13 in place, CPSC can now — and will — require certificate data for mail shipments through eFiling.
What this means for you
- If any of your regulated consumer products enter the U.S. via international mail, including direct-to-consumer fulfillment from overseas, those shipments will require eFiled certificate data beginning 22 October 2026.
- Certificates must be transmitted via a Full or Reference Message Set in ACE, consistent with the eFiling requirements already in effect for formal entries since 8 July 2026.
- The importer is responsible for eFiling whenever a certificate is required. Under CPSC's Certificates of Compliance Final Rule, the importer for imported finished products is a party eligible to make entry under CBP statutes and regulations — which may be an owner, purchaser, consignee, or authorized customs broker.
- If you ship regulated products to U.S. consumers by mail, those shipments are no longer outside eFiling. The certificate requirement always applied, what changes is that CPSC will now see the data at the border.
What you should do now
- Map your fulfillment channels: identify any regulated products reaching U.S. consumers via international mail or postal-channel direct shipment.
- Confirm who acts as the importer for those shipments and who will transmit the certificate data in ACE.
- Ensure certificates (CPCs/GCCs) exist and are accurate for all products in these channels. The underlying testing and certification obligations have always applied; what changes is the transmission of the data to CPSC.
- If you use the Reference Message Set approach, ensure your certificate data is registered in the CPSC Product Registry ahead of the October 22 deadline.
Eurofins Softlines & Hardlines is ready to help
We are fully prepared to support your compliance with the expanded eFiling requirement. Our team can assist you with:
- Submitting your certificate data to the CPSC Product Registry, enabling Reference Message Set filing for your mail and formal entries alike
- Reviewing your product portfolio and fulfillment channels to determine certificate requirements (CPC/GCC scope)
- Ensuring your testing and certification documentation is complete and eFiling-ready ahead of the 22 October 2026 effective date
Please reach out to us to discuss your readiness for the 22 October deadline.