Importers preparing eFiling data for their customs broker
Quick AnswerCPSC eFiling Data Requirements (Field Guide)
Your customs broker asked you to fill out a CPSC eFiling data sheet and you're staring at fields you don't understand. This page breaks down every data point required for CPSC eFiling — what it means, where to find it, and the formatting that avoids rejections.
Quick Answer
CPSC eFiling requires product description, CPSC product category code, applicable safety rule citations (e.g., ASTM F963, 16 CFR 1303), testing lab name and CPSC lab number, manufacturer name and address, and your CPC or GCC reference number. Your customs broker needs this data before the shipment arrives.
Why You're Probably Here
Your customs broker sent you a data request form and you don't know how to fill it out
Brokers need specific regulatory data points that most sellers have never seen before. Product category codes, CFR citations, and CPSC lab acceptance numbers aren't in your supplier's catalog.
Your first eFiling was rejected or triggered a hold, and you need to fix the data
Most eFiling problems are data quality issues — wrong product codes, vague descriptions, missing safety rule citations. Fixing these quickly is critical when your shipment is sitting at the port.
What Matters Most
Get the product description right — it drives everything else
CPSC's screening system starts with the product description. A clear, regulation-aligned description ensures correct categorization, correct safety rule expectations, and smooth processing.
CFR citations must match your test reports
The safety rules you cite in eFiling must match what was actually tested. If your test report covers 16 CFR 1303 and 16 CFR 1250, cite those — not more, not less.
Requirements
Product Description (Regulatory Format)
RequiredCPSC eFiling Field
A clear product description using regulatory language — product type, primary materials, intended age group (if applicable), and intended use.
Why it applies: CPSC's screening system parses product descriptions to identify regulatory obligations. Marketing descriptions cause misclassification.
What this means for you: Don't write "Premium Eco-Friendly Baby Teether." Write "Children's teething toy, food-grade silicone, intended for ages 0-24 months." CPSC needs regulatory clarity, not sales copy.
CPSC Product Category Code
RequiredCPSC eFiling Field
A product classification code from CPSC's category system that identifies the product type for risk screening.
Why it applies: The category code determines which safety rules CPSC expects to see in your filing. Wrong code = wrong expectations = potential hold.
What this means for you: Your customs broker should know the right code, but verify it matches your actual product. A "toy" coded as "home décor" will cause problems.
Applicable Safety Rules (CFR Citations)
RequiredCPSC eFiling Field
The specific Code of Federal Regulations sections that apply to your product — cited by number, not by regulation name.
Why it applies: CPSC uses these citations to verify that your product has been tested and certified against the right standards. Missing or incorrect citations trigger review.
What this means for you: You need to list actual regulation numbers: "16 CFR 1303" (lead paint), "16 CFR 1307" (phthalates), "16 CFR 1250" (ASTM F963). Not "CPSIA" or "toy safety." Your test reports have these citations on them.
Testing Lab Information
RequiredCPSC eFiling Field
For children's products: the name and CPSC acceptance number of the third-party lab that tested the product.
Why it applies: CPSC verifies that testing was performed by an accepted laboratory. The acceptance number is how they look it up.
What this means for you: Your test report header has the lab name and their CPSC acceptance number. Copy it exactly. If you can't find the acceptance number, search the CPSC lab directory online.
Manufacturer and Production Details
ImportantCPSC eFiling Field
Manufacturer name, physical address, country of origin, and production date or batch information.
Why it applies: Required for product traceability and recall capability.
What this means for you: Your supplier's factory name and address. This should match what's on your CPC and tracking labels. Inconsistencies between eFiling data and product labels raise flags.
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What Sellers Get Wrong
Using marketing product descriptions instead of regulatory descriptions
Why sellers do this: Sellers copy their Amazon listing title into the eFiling product description field.
The reality: Marketing language confuses CPSC's screening system. "BPA-Free Premium Organic Baby Must-Have" tells CPSC nothing. "Children's product — teething toy, silicone, ages 3-24 months" tells them everything.
Not knowing the CPSC lab acceptance number
Why sellers do this: Sellers have test reports but never looked for the acceptance number.
The reality: It's on the first page of every test report from a CPSC-accepted lab. If it's not there, your lab may not be CPSC-accepted — which means your testing doesn't count.
Citing regulation names instead of CFR numbers
Why sellers do this: Sellers write "CPSIA" instead of the specific CFR sections.
The reality: eFiling requires specific citations. "CPSIA" is a law — "16 CFR 1303, 16 CFR 1307, 16 CFR 1250" are the specific rules under that law. Your test report lists these.
What Most Guides Won't Tell You
Build a reusable eFiling data template for each product
Once you compile the data for a product, save it as a template. Every time you reorder and import that product, your broker can reuse the same data. One upfront effort saves hours on every future shipment.
Your test report is the source document for most eFiling fields
Lab name, acceptance number, CFR citations tested, test dates — all of this is on your test report. When in doubt, pull the data from the test report, not from memory.
What To Do Next
Pull out your test reports and CPC
Most of the data you need is already in these documents. Lab name, acceptance number, CFR citations, product description — it's all there.
Identify every applicable regulation for your product
Run a Prodovo Labs scan to get the full list of applicable CPSC rules with their CFR citations. This is the data your broker needs.
Create your product data sheet and send it to your broker
Compile everything into one document per product. Send it to your customs broker before the shipment leaves the origin country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find the CPSC product category code?
What if I don't know which safety rules apply to my product?
Does the manufacturer address need to be the factory or the company HQ?
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