If you import consumer products into the United States, two certificates from the CPSC framework apply depending on the target age group.
CPC (Children's Product Certificate) refers to consumer products intended for children aged 12 and below. These products require a test report from a laboratory approved by the US CPSC - there are currently around 100 such accredited laboratories in China. Verify any lab at the official CPSC registry before ordering tests.
GCC (General Conformity Certificate) refers to consumer products for ages 13 and above. These only require a report from a laboratory with CNAS accreditation, which is faster and cheaper to obtain.
1. Domestic labs only issue reports. Chinese laboratories can issue the test reports, but the US importer is the one who must submit the data to the CPSC and issue the certificate - the certificate holder must be a US-based importer of record.
2. Never file false data. The reporting process follows the US customs system. False data is strictly prohibited: CPC penalties and recall rates are extremely high, and fines can exceed 120,000 US dollars per instance.
3. Liability is shared. The importer is primarily responsible, but the freight forwarder, brand owner, buyer and customs broker are also jointly liable. If a violation is found, disposal of the goods depends on the customs' attitude: return, destruction or compulsory measures.
Certificates such as these are available through our verified suppliers. Before you place an order, we confirm which certificate your product category needs, connect you with CPSC-accredited or CNAS labs, and make sure test reports match the actual batch shipped - so your goods clear US customs without surprises.
