A certificate says a regulated product was tested and meets CPSC's rules. A disclaim tells CPSC that certificate data isn't needed, either because no rule applies or because CPSC isn't enforcing it for that product. Two questions decide which one fits.
| Does a CPSC rule apply? | Is CPSC using enforcement discretion? | What fits |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | A certificate |
| Yes | Yes | A Disclaim B |
| No rule that needs a certificate | Doesn't arise | A Disclaim A |
A disclaim is an electronic message filers may send when no certificate is required. It must carry an intended-use code.
Source: CPSC, Citations, Testing Exclusions, and Disclaims (September 2026)
CPSC's own guidance asks them in order. First, does a CPSC rule, ban, standard or regulation apply to the product? Second, if one does, is CPSC using enforcement discretion for it (choosing not to enforce it)?
Rule applies, no discretion: a certificate. Rule applies, with discretion: a Disclaim B. No rule that needs a certificate: a Disclaim A. That routing is CPSC's, not a judgment made on this page.
It means no CPSC rule that needs a certificate reaches the product, even if its HTS code is on CPSC's flagged list. CPSC's examples include adult hats and gloves, collectible toys meant for adults, and sport helmets other than bike helmets. Outside CPSC's reach entirely, it names medical products similar to general-use products, and industrial equipment not meant for consumers.
Say you sell an adult hat with flaps that cover the neck. Adult hats are on CPSC's list of examples, but the clothing flammability rule only leaves out hats that don't cover the neck, face or shoulders. So that hat is still under the rule. Gloves are left out only if they are 14 inches long or less and not attached to another garment. Scarves aren't left out at all, so the free check treats a scarf as clothing.
It means a rule does apply, but CPSC is using enforcement discretion, so the certificate data isn't required. Only certain products qualify. CPSC's examples are adult clothing that claims one of the flammability rule's exemptions, and household refrigerators that show a proper safety certification mark.
No. CPSC states the test, then shows a few examples. A product that matches none of them isn't automatically a certificate. The test is the rule. Whether your product meets it depends on the product itself, and a licensed customs broker can confirm the route.
Certificate data can be filed electronically at entry and uploaded to the CPSC Product Registry, an account in the certifier's own name. A disclaim is a separate electronic message that filers may send when no certificate is required, and it must carry an intended-use code. A customs broker handles it as part of clearing the goods.
The free certificate check reads a product's attributes against CPSC's rules and shows whether the result points to a certificate or a disclaim — and which disclaim — instead of leaving the answer to guesswork.
Check which certificate you need — free →The plan puts it in order for your product: which certificate it needs, what to ask the supplier for, and what a marketplace or customs may ask for. It's free, with no signup.
See the plan for your product →The rules on this page do change — an eFiling date, a list, a threshold. Leave an email and a short note goes out if one does: a few a year at most, one click to stop, and the address is used for nothing else. A summary of the guide and a link arrive now, as confirmation.
Information current as of 2026-10-31.
This report is an automated, informational screening tool only. Tiana & Co. is not a licensed customs broker and does not conduct customs business. This report does not constitute legal advice, a compliance determination, or a certification of admissibility for any supplier, product, or shipment.
Verdicts in this report are produced by deterministic code, not by a language model. The explanatory paragraph accompanying each check is model-generated and checked against the cited sources before delivery. No part of this report is reviewed by a person before it is issued, so every material finding and citation should be confirmed against the underlying government source before it is relied on.
This report reflects data available as of the report date. The OFAC SDN and Consolidated lists, the other U.S. Consolidated Screening List constituents, the UFLPA Entity List, CBP withhold release orders, CPSC's eFiling list, and regulatory guidance are updated frequently and without prior notice. Users should re-screen periodically and consult qualified counsel for compliance decisions.
Name-similarity results do not establish or rule out the identity of any company. Where multiple similarly named records exist, none should be treated as confirmed without independent verification against the primary government source.
This tool is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a substitute for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, or any other government agency. No warranty is made as to the accuracy, completeness, or currency of any finding.
Use of this report for import, procurement, sanctions-compliance, or investment decisions is at the user's own risk. Anyone with compliance obligations under UFLPA, OFAC, or CPSC regulations should consult qualified legal counsel before making a transactional decision.
This report is an automated, informational screening tool only. Tiana & Co. is not a licensed customs broker and does not conduct customs business. This report does not constitute legal advice, a compliance determination, or a certification of admissibility for any supplier, product, or shipment.
Verdicts in this report are produced by deterministic code, not by a language model. The explanatory paragraph accompanying each check is model-generated and checked against the cited sources before delivery. No part of this report is reviewed by a person before it is issued, so every material finding and citation should be confirmed against the underlying government source before it is relied on.
This report reflects data available as of the report date. The OFAC SDN and Consolidated lists, the other U.S. Consolidated Screening List constituents, the UFLPA Entity List, CBP withhold release orders, CPSC's eFiling list, and regulatory guidance are updated frequently and without prior notice. Users should re-screen periodically and consult qualified counsel for compliance decisions.
Name-similarity results do not establish or rule out the identity of any company. Where multiple similarly named records exist, none should be treated as confirmed without independent verification against the primary government source.
This tool is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a substitute for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, or any other government agency. No warranty is made as to the accuracy, completeness, or currency of any finding.
Use of this report for import, procurement, sanctions-compliance, or investment decisions is at the user's own risk. Anyone with compliance obligations under UFLPA, OFAC, or CPSC regulations should consult qualified legal counsel before making a transactional decision.