CPSC eFiling Is Almost Here: What Book Publishers and Importers Need to Know
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) eFiling requirements become mandatory on July 8, 2026.
Businesses importing consumer products into the United States should now be confirming whether their products are subject to CPSC certification requirements and ensuring all compliance data, certification records, and filing processes are in place ahead of the implementation date.
Under the new program, CPSC certificate data must be filed electronically at the time of import—not after goods arrive in market. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will have visibility into compliance documentation before a shipment clears customs. This is a fundamental change to how compliance is enforced, moving it upstream in the supply chain.
Most books and printed materials are not subject to CPSC certification requirements. However, the book industry is not entirely insulated. Publishers, distributors, and supply chain partners that import products alongside books—including children's products, promotional merchandise, novelty items, or certain educational materials—may be subject to CPSC certification. Mixed-cargo shipments managed by logistics providers will be subject to these requirements if any products in the shipment fall under CPSC scope.
The key rule: compliance is assessed at the product level, not the shipment level. Importers cannot assume that shipping primarily non-regulated goods means no CPSC obligations apply.
The CPSC's Regulatory Robot is a free tool that helps importers identify applicable requirements by walking through product-specific questions.
Required Certification
Most regulated products require one of two certificates:
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General Certificate of Conformity (GCC): Applies to general consumer products. Confirms compliance with applicable U.S. safety standards.
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Children's Product Certificate (CPC): Required for products intended for children under 12. Must be supported by testing from a CPSC-approved third-party laboratory.
The importer of record is typically responsible for issuing and maintaining these certificates.
Steps to Take Before July 8
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Confirm whether your products are subject to CPSC certification requirements
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Identify the applicable safety standards for each product type
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Ensure GCC or CPC certificates are complete and accurate
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Align with suppliers on compliance data and documentation
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Digitize compliance records for electronic submission
Your Questions Answered
What is CPSC eFiling?
CPSC eFiling is a new electronic filing requirement from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Starting July 8, 2026, importers of regulated consumer products must submit compliance certificate data as part of the customs entry process.
Do books require CPSC certification?
Generally, no. Most books and printed materials are not regulated by the CPSC. However, publishers and distributors importing other product types—children's items, merchandise, or novelty goods—may have certification obligations.
Who is responsible for CPSC compliance?
The importer of record is typically responsible for issuing and maintaining the required certificates.
What happens if an importer isn't ready by July 8?
Shipments without complete and accurate compliance data may face delays at the border, increased inspections, detained entries, or other enforcement actions.
Where can I get help?
The CPSC eFiling support team can be reached at eFilingSupport@cpsc.gov. Woodland has also published a detailed compliance guide at woodlandgroup.com/cpsc-compliance-for-importers. BISG can be reached at info@bisg.org.
Jack Stevens serves as the President of Woodland Global USA, overseeing U.S. operations and managing a team of over 100 staff across six locations. Prior to this role, Jack held positions such as Business Optimization Manager and Digital Projects Manager at Woodland, where responsibilities included implementing best practices, enhancing digital platforms, and optimizing staff and customer experiences. He joined the BISG Board of Directors for a two-year term beginning on July 1, 2026.