Category: United States

Shipments can be subject to inspections or detention by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Failing to manage these situations correctly can result in major delays or even destroyed shipments.

This guide explains why inbound shipments are rejected or detained, and the actions you can take to come to a resolution.

Note: In this guide, we mainly focus on actions taken by the CPSC or the CBP. However, other US government agencies could also be involved in shipment rejections or detentions.
Continue reading US Customs or CPSC Rejected Your Shipment? Emergency Action Plan for Importers

Fishing gear imported to and manufactured in the United States is subject to various regulations and other compliance requirements. Examples include California Proposition 65 and the CPSIA.

The applicable compliance requirements depend on the intended age group, materials, where you sell the products, and other factors explained in this article.

Related products

• Fishing rods
• Fishing nets
• Fishing bobbers
• Fishing lures

Continue reading Fishing Gear Regulations in the United States: An Overview

California Proposition 65 sets substance restrictions and warning labeling requirements for products sold in California. You must either ensure that the product does not contain restricted substances above the set limits or affix a warning label informing consumers of potentially harmful substance contents.

This guide lists examples of product categories covered by California Proposition 65 and examples of restricted substances that may be present in such products.

Methodology

This guide is primarily based on products that are mentioned on www.p65warnings.ca.gov. The website contains:

a. Fact sheets covering specific product categories (e.g., “motor vehicle parts”), or;

b. Fact sheets covering specific substances (e.g., lead and lead compounds), which, in turn, provide examples of products that may contain restricted substances (e.g., ceramic dishes)

Note that these are not necessarily all products covered by California Proposition 65. Our understanding is that there is no definitive product list. Instead, California Proposition 65 is concerned with substances, rather than specific products. That being said, this guide can still help you form a clear understanding of which products are subject to California Proposition 65 and their respective substance risks.

Continue reading List of Products Covered by California Proposition 65: An Overview

Products subject to certain mandatory product safety rules must be covered by a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC). This guide explains how you can determine whether a General Certificate of Conformity is required for your product. We also provide examples of products subject to this requirement.
Continue reading Which Products Require a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)?

This guide explains how to create a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) in 7 steps based on the standard CPSC sample structure. Each point explains what information to include, complete with examples of the different formats that can be used.

Note that this guide is written based on the assumption that you lack the capability to perform your own testing according to applicable product safety rules and must therefore use a third-party testing company.
Continue reading How to Create a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) in 7 Steps

Leather products sold in the United States must comply with chemical restrictions, labeling, and other requirements. Some are specific to leather products, while others apply to coatings, heavy metals, or consumer products in general.

In this guide, we take a closer look at 16 CFR Part 24, California Proposition 65, and other requirements applicable to leather products in the United States.

Product examples

• Leather bags
• Leather belts
• Leather wallets
• Hides
• Leather furniture covers
• Other leather products

Continue reading Leather Product Regulations in the United States: An Overview

Cables imported and manufactured in the United States are subject to various regulations and safety standards. Compliance with applicable regulations and standards is essential, as unsafe cables may cause fires, electrical shocks, or damage other devices.

This guide takes a close look at how regulations such as 47 CFR Part 15 and 16 CFR Part 1120 apply to cables in the United States. You will also learn why voluntary UL and ASTM standards are important to consider when importing or manufacturing cables.

Product examples

• USB cables
• Power cords
• Extension cords
• Optical fiber cables

Continue reading Cable Regulations in the United States: An Overview