Small importer guide

CPSC eFiling for small Alibaba importers

If you source from Alibaba or another marketplace, the hard part is usually collecting certificate data from suppliers, labs, and brokers before the shipment moves.

Audience: Small importers, private-label sellers, Shopify stores, Amazon sellers, and ecommerce founders.

Check if my shipment is affected View sample packet

Do not assume this is only for large importers

CPSC eFiling is tied to covered imported consumer products and certificate data, not to whether your business feels large or small.

Confirm whether the product is imported into the United States.

Confirm whether it is a commercial shipment.

Confirm whether it is a children's product, general-use product, or both.

Get data from the supplier early

Marketplace listings often show a trading company, brand name, or storefront name instead of the actual factory record. Ask for the legal manufacturer, manufacture place/date, model/SKU, batch/lot, and material-change details before production or freight booking.

Ask whether the listed supplier is the manufacturer, exporter, trading company, or agent.

Ask for manufacture date or date range tied to your production run.

Ask whether materials, components, coatings, labels, packaging, age grading, or factories changed after testing.

Get data from the lab and broker

You need rule and testing details from lab reports, plus a clear broker request before entry.

Ask the lab for test report number, test date, lab legal name, address, phone, and CPSC rules tested.

Ask the broker whether they need all certificate details or Product Registry ID numbers.

Prepare Product Registry ID numbers if the broker will use Product Registry.

Copy-ready assets

Templates you can adapt

Alibaba supplier data request

Subject: U.S. import certificate data needed before shipment

Hi [Supplier Name],

For our U.S. import records, please confirm:

- Legal manufacturer/factory name and address
- Whether your company is the manufacturer, exporter, trading company, or agent
- Manufacture date range for our order
- Product model/SKU, carton markings, and batch/lot references
- Latest test report number and tested model/SKU
- Whether materials, coatings, components, labels, packaging, factory, or age-grade claims changed after testing

Please do not send a generic certificate unless it matches our exact product and production run.

Thanks,
[Importer Name]

Alibaba lab/report follow-up

Please confirm that the test report applies to the exact product, model, materials, age grade, packaging, and production run we are importing. We also need the report number, test date, lab legal name, lab address, lab phone, CPSC rules tested, and any exclusions or component-level notes.

Mini FAQ

Common questions

What if the supplier sends a generic CPC?

Treat it as a record to review, not proof that your exact import packet is complete. Match product identifiers, factory, dates, CPSC rules, and test reports.

What if the marketplace listing says 'for collectors'?

Marketing labels alone may not settle product scope. Review age grading, packaging, design, intended use, and advisor/broker guidance.

Next step

Start with the am I affected check before paying for a packet.

Check if my shipment is affected