U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that good entered as of March 22, 2021 and after may receive an electronic message after cargo release has been sent relating to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The two agencies are expanding the rollout of two-way messaging in CBP’s Automated Broker Interface (ABI) to all customs brokers for CPSC affected goods transported by air, truck and ocean. Previously this had been available only under a test pilot. CBP also notes that this does not include express courier shipments.
The CPSC may detain merchandise and issue a request for document to be uploaded through CBP’s Document Imaging System (DIS), for their review.
The CPSC may issue a ‘under review’ message for an entry containing a Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) number they have identified as being interested in. The ‘under review’ messages will not stop cargo at the border. But if the CPSC determines that an examination is needed at the port of entry, they would issue an ‘intensive exam’ or ‘hold intact’ message.
CPSC would then review, usually issuing a ‘May Proceed’ message. The expected timeframes for review are up to 8 business hours for air and truck shipments, and 16 business hours for ocean shipments. The CPSC has a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Detentions available.
The CPSC regulates goods such as children’s products (i.e. toys, pacifiers, clothing, cribs, baby carriages, safety gates), fireworks, liquid nicotine, drywall, mattresses, bicycles & bicycle helmets, batteries, hair dryers, power cords, holiday lights, generators, lighters, rugs, and certain hazardous substances. A list of regulated products is available.
Certificates of Conformity may be required for certain Children’s Products, as well as General Certificates of Conformity (GCC) for general use non-children products.
Questions regarding CPSC messaging may be directed to your Livingston account manager.