What to do, and what to have
Where will you sell it, and what is it?
Answer a few questions and you'll get a plan made for your product. Until then, the steps below are the general plan.
A few quick questions about the product. They decide which safety certificate it needs and fill in the plan.
What it is
How CPSC decides ▸
- A statement by the manufacturer about the product's intended use, including a label, where that statement is reasonable. An age label or a "not for children" line does not decide it alone: a product whose look, size or marketing is aimed mainly at children can still be one.
- Whether the packaging, display, promotion or advertising presents it as appropriate for children 12 or younger.
- Whether consumers commonly recognise it as intended for a child 12 or younger. Something a parent or caregiver uses in a child's room, and the child does not, is not a children's product.
- The Commission's Age Determination Guidelines (September 2002) and any successor to them.
Tick what the product is to continue.
What to have for this product
Your answers fill this in.Your answers fill this in.
Your answers fill this in.
Customs paperwork (ISF, the entry, the certificate data sent at entry) is filed by your broker from the invoice, packing list and bill of lading. Step 5 checks those match; step 6 is for when something goes wrong.
Then follow these steps, in order
- 1 · Before you pay the deposit
Supplier on a blacklist?
High riskCheck the supplier isn't on a US forced-labor or sanctions list.
- 2 · Before you order
Which safety certificate does my product need?
Your answers fill this in.
- 3 · Before you order
Which documents do I need from my supplier?
High riskYour answers fill this in — or open the tool now; it asks for what it needs.
- 4 · Before it ships
Need the certificate in your own name?
Your answers fill this in — or open the tool now; it asks for what it needs.
- 5 · Before the broker files
Do my shipping documents match?
Check that the invoice, packing list and bill of lading match before your broker files.
You need:Commercial invoicePacking listBill of lading - 6 · At the port
Shipment stuck at customs?
High riskOnly if customs holds itIf customs holds it, read the notice and find your deadline.
You need:The CBP notice, or a few answers - 7 · When you list
Will the marketplace accept it?
Your answers fill this in — or open the tool now; it asks for what it needs.
The whole import, including your broker's part, step by step →