US import compliance — FTZ guide
CPSC eFiling for foreign trade zone importers
The general eFiling mandate went live July 8, 2026. The second wave lands January 8, 2027: merchandise withdrawn from a US foreign trade zone for consumption or warehousing must then carry eFiled CPSC certificate data at entry. Four months out — here is exactly what changes.
What changes on January 8, 2027
From that date, the importer must submit certificate data at the time of filing entry in CBP's ACE system for all merchandise withdrawn from an FTZ for consumption or warehousing. This applies to the usual CPSC-regulated consumer products — toys, nursery gear, apparel, bikes, batteries and the rest of the certificate lists — that move through FTZs.
How it is filed
The importer gives the broker the seven certificate data elements (product ID, citations, manufacture date/place, test date, testing lab, point of contact) and the broker files them in the CPSC PGA Message Set with the entry.
The importer pre-enters data in the CPSC Product Registry and gives the broker the three certificate identifiers (Certifier ID, Product ID, Version ID) to file.
ACE already accepts the CPSC message set on type 06 consumption entries for FTZ withdrawals, and it can be transmitted as part of a weekly entry submission.
Five things to wire up before Q1 2027
- Audit your FTZ SKUs against the CPSC rule lists — confirm which products need a CPC (children's) vs GCC (general use). Run them through the free rule checker.
- Collect the seven elements per SKU — citations, dates, manufacturer, test lab details — from your suppliers and test labs now, not in December.
- Decide your filing path — Full PGA pack per shipment, or Product Registry IDs (Reference). Registries take time to set up; do it before the volume hits.
- Confirm your broker's FTZ readiness — can they accept the CPSC message set on type 06 and weekly entries today? Ask now.
- Set a retention system — certificates and test records must be kept at least 5 years from issue (16 CFR 1110). A vault with deadlines beats a folder.
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Facts cited to CPSC's eFiling FAQ (September 6, 2026) and the Certificates of Compliance final rule. EntryReady is compliance software, not legal advice. Not affiliated with CPSC or CBP.