About eFiling
eFiling is a CPSC initiative to enable importers of regulated consumer products to file electronically (eFile) with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) certain data elements from a certificate of compliance, via a Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set.
eFiling Voluntary Stage
CPSC has begun the eFiling voluntary stage. Over the coming months, new participants will receive invitations to test eFiling systems. CPSC will conduct a phased rollout to ensure new participants receive quality support and guidance. Importers not yet participating in the voluntary stage can still begin preparing for implementation!
To be added to the waitlist to receive an invitation to establish a Business Account in the Product Registry, importers should email eFilingSupport@cpsc.gov with:
- Company Name
- Initial Business Account Administrator’s Name
- Initial Business Account Administrator’s Email
- Importer of Record Number(s)
- Broker Filer Code(s)
- Type of Products Imported
Where to Start
CPSC offers multiple resources importers and trade partners can view to familiarize themselves with eFiling processes. All resources can be viewed in our library.
Importers and their trade partners can review the eFiling Quick Start Guide to gain a general understanding of eFiling processes.
Importers can review the eFiling Product Registry Guide to learn more about the Product Registry.
eFiling Product Registry Guide
Brokers can review the eFiling Implementation Guide to learn more about PGA Message Set requirements.
CPSC Product Registry Training Videos
The CPSC Product Registry is a secure online application where importers can store and manage their product certificate data to file Reference PGA Message Sets with CBP’s ACE system at the time of entry. The videos in this playlist demonstrate Product Registry functions and features and provide quick reference guides on how to use this application.
The training videos are categorized into four main functional areas:
Introduction to the CPSC Product Registry
Create an Account
User Management
Product Management
For additional support, reach out to eFilingSupport@cpsc.gov
| eFiling Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
|---|
|
Gaining familiarity with the resources available on our webpage and in our Document Library such as our eFiling Quick Start Guide and Product Registry Training Videos is an excellent way to kick off participation in the eFiling voluntary stage. |
|
CPSC highly encourages importers to consider participating in the eFiling voluntary stage to be better prepared for full implementation. The eFiling voluntary stage is for importers and their trade partners to initiate the learning process, assess program readiness, and slowly ramp up eFiling testing efforts. We anticipate an initial learning curve but by progressing through each implementation phase, importers and their trade partners will be able to minimize mistakes and eFile for more products over time as they prepare for eFiling’s full implementation. |
|
While shipments are still subject to usual CPSC examination, participation in the eFiling voluntary stage and mistakes made in voluntary filings of certificate data will not impact importers’ risk scores nor cause shipment delays. The eFiling voluntary stage is designed to support learning and testing without penalizing participants for mistakes. |
|
Participants can eFile for as many products as they choose. Participants can start small and build out their portfolio of products for eFiling over time. |
|
Once participants progress into phase three of the voluntary stage and are ready to transmit Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Sets, they can transmit using one of two methods:
|
|
Reference PGA Message Sets are preferable if the importer repeatedly imports regulated consumer products covered by the same product certificates. By using the Product Registry, the importer can leverage manual or bulk upload features to file product certificate data in a streamlined and more efficient manner. As long as the product certificate details are identical, a product certificate can be entered in the Product Registry and referenced repeatedly as multiple shipments of the same product are imported. |
|
No, the CPSC Product Registry serves as a stand-alone central data repository for importers’ product certificate data and does not communicate with CBP’s ACE system. Once a product certificate is entered and certified in the Product Registry, importers must communicate the three Certificate Identifiers from the product certificate to their broker, so that the Reference PGA Message Set can accurately reference the applicable product certificate in the Product Registry. |
|
No, the CPSC Product Registry is not required to file Full PGA Message Sets. |
|
Users have two options to bulk upload product certificate data into the Product Registry. Users can bulk upload via a Comma-Separated Values (CSV) file or Application Programming Interface (API) integration. Users can access our CSV Bulk Upload Template, User Guide for CSV Upload, and API Specifications document in the Document Library available on our webpage for additional guidance. |
|
Participants are encouraged to review the HTS, Citation, and Testing Exclusion codes in our Document Library to best understand which codes require product certification and/or if a Disclaim is allowed. The HTS, citation, and testing exclusion codes available in our Document Library are not all-encompassing lists and only serve as guidance for the eFiling voluntary stage. For additional citation and testing exclusion guidance, we encourage you to use our Regulatory Robot and/or reach out to CPSC’s Small Business Ombudsman team at sbo@cpsc.gov. For additional guidance on HTS codes, we encourage you to work with CBP and your trade partners to better understand the HTS codes that apply to your products. |
|
CPSC will not be flagging HTS codes for CPSC data review during the eFiling voluntary stage. CPSC will be flagging HTS codes for CPSC data review upon eFiling full implementation. |
|
No, Disclaim PGA Message Sets are not required. With that said, CPSC encourages importers to file Disclaim PGA Message Sets for the benefit of potentially improving their risk score. |
|
If the product requires product certification and a testing exclusion applies, then a testing exclusion code must be provided with the product certificate. The Product Registry includes a feature that allows users to add testing exclusion codes. |
|
You can contact the eFiling support team via the eFiling Support Inbox at eFilingSupport@cpsc.gov. |