CPSC eFiling mandatory since 8 July 2026 · mail shipments from 22 Oct 2026Check a product →
eFiling since 8 Jul 2026 · Check a product →
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Reference

CPSC eFiling glossary

The terms, defined from CPSC and CBP sources.

ACE

Automated Commercial Environment: CBP's system for filing import entries, into which CPSC certificate data is transmitted. CBP

CPC

Children's Product Certificate: the certificate for a children's product subject to a children's product safety rule, based on third-party testing. CPSC

GCC

General Certificate of Conformity: the certificate for a regulated general-use product. CPSC

eFiling

Electronic filing of certificate data with CBP at the time of entry, mandatory for regulated imports since 8 July 2026. Federal Register: Certificat

PGA Message Set

The Partner Government Agency data block in an ACE entry; CPSC's version carries certificate data or identifiers. CBP

Full PGA Message Set

An entry filing carrying all seven certificate data elements. CPSC

Reference PGA Message Set

An entry filing carrying the Certifier ID, Product ID and Version ID of a certificate stored in the Product Registry. CPSC

Disclaim Message Set

A filing stating that no certificate is required (Disclaim A) or that CPSC's enforcement discretion applies (Disclaim B). CPSC

Product Registry

CPSC's free, standalone application where importers store certificate data for Reference filings. CPSC

Certifier ID

The importer's identifier, created with its Product Registry Business Account. CPSC

Product ID

The certified product's identifier: GTIN, SKU, UPC, Model Number, Serial Number, Registered Number or Alternate ID. CPSC

Version ID

The identifier of one version of a product's certificate in the Product Registry. CPSC

Citation code

A 3–14 character code for each rule a product is certified to, usually the CFR part or ASTM F963 section. CPSC

Testing exclusion code

A code for an exemption or determination in a rule that removes a specific test while a certificate is still required. CPSC

Flagged HTS code

An HTS code CPSC lists as likely to include products under a mandatory standard; 589 codes in the September 2026 list. CPSC

Entry Type 13

CBP's new postal informal entry for mail shipments, which carries CPSC data from 22 October 2026. CPSC bulletin: eFiling guida

SO message

A message CPSC can send in response to an entry, including one rejecting the CPSC data. CBP CSMS #69382435

Notice of Violation (NOV)

A CPSC letter telling a firm its sampled product violates a mandatory standard, with the corrective action required. CPSC

CPSC-accepted laboratory

A third-party, governmental or firewalled lab that CPSC has accepted to test to specific children's product rules. CPSC

Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)

A designated area outside CBP's customs territory for duty purposes; eFiling applies to FTZ entries from 8 January 2027. CPSC

Importing consumer products into the US?

Certificate data is now filed with every entry. Check which CPSC rules your product falls under, then keep every product's certificate data complete, current and provable.