Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations and product safety information

If you don’t know who the manufacturer is, it may be written on the product label or packaging. You may also try contacting your supplier. If you are unable to contact the manufacturer for safety information, you may choose to contact a CPSC-accepted lab or use our third-party compliance support page to have the product tested yourself.

If you manufacture an item affected by this regulation, you’ll still need to provide safety information. If you don’t have this information on hand, you can contact a CPSC-accepted testing laboratory to help assess your products.

If you can’t obtain the required information for your product, you may not be able to ship the item to the US or the listing may be hidden from US buyers. If you do not have the documentation for a regulated product, we suggest you revise your listing to remove international shipping options to the US.

In general, this information should be freely provided. There may be costs associated with having your products tested to receive certification.

If you manage your own shipping through a third-party carrier, you’ll need to submit your information to them, following their process.

If you use an eBay managed shipping option, you’ll be able to add this information directly to your listing or add it when you print labels, depending on which service you use.

Your carrier will be responsible for eFiling this information with US Customs.

If you use an eBay managed shipping option and your listing doesn’t include a required GCC or CPC, it may not be visible to US buyers until you provide the required documentation. If you manage your own shipping through a third-party courier, you’ll need to submit your information to them and follow their process.

Your carrier may refuse to ship an item without the required GCC or CPC. If they do allow it to ship, it may be held at the border and your buyer may not receive the item.

These requirements apply to any shipments crossing the border from 8 July onward. If you shipped an item that is likely to reach the US border on or after that date, we recommend proactively providing a GCC or CPC to your carrier or to eBay (if using our managed shipping services) to avoid any delays.

GCC and CPC requirements are set out by CPSC and enforced by US Customs.

As the seller, you’re responsible for accurately describing your products, understanding the requirements that may apply and providing any necessary documentation. We may also be able to determine if these requirements apply, based on the details you provide in your listings.

A product is classified as a children’s product if it’s primarily intended for use by children aged 12 or younger. This is determined based on factors such as product design, marketing, labelling and how a reasonable consumer would perceive its use.

A GCC must include details such as the product description, citation code, manufacturer/importer information, the date and place of testing and more. See the complete list of information required for a GCC.

A CPC must include details such as the product description, citation code, manufacturer/importer information, the date and place of testing and more. The certificate must be based on testing by a CPSC-accepted third-party lab. See the complete list of information required for a CPC.

What testing is required before issuing a CPC or GCC?
Children’s products requiring a CPC must be tested by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory. For non-children’s regulated products requiring a GCC, testing can be conducted by the manufacturer or a third-party lab, but it must still demonstrate compliance with applicable safety standards. Contact a CPSC-accepted lab or use our third-party compliance support page to have a product tested.

Compliance documentation is tied to the product, but it must be available and accurately associated with each shipment. Customs authorities may request documentation at any time, so consistency across shipments is critical.

If a product fails testing, it cannot legally be exported into the US and should not be made available for shipment to the US on eBay sites. You will need to address the issue (e.g., redesign, retesting) before shipping. Non-compliant goods may be seized or destroyed at the border.

The importer of record (often the seller) is legally responsible for ensuring compliance with CPSC regulations, even if the manufacturer provides documentation. You must verify that certificates and testing are valid.

Certificates may cover product variations only if they are tested as part of the same product group and share identical safety characteristics. Material or design changes may require new testing and certification.

CBP enforces entry requirements and works with the CPSC to review compliance documentation. They may hold, inspect or deny entry to shipments that lack proper certification or raise safety concerns.

You should retain all compliance records, including test reports and certificates, for at least 5 years, as they may be requested by authorities.

Yes. If required compliance data is missing, incomplete or cannot be verified, your listing may still lose visibility or shipping eligibility until the issue is resolved.

If a product is subject to a CPSC recall, it cannot be sold or exported. Sellers must stop distribution immediately and follow recall procedures, which may include notifying customers and issuing refunds.