Compliance is the seller's responsibility
Product compliance—meeting the safety, labeling, and documentation requirements of the destination market—is the seller's legal responsibility. The fulfillment warehouse does not establish compliance, but it plays a critical role in verifying that required marks and documents are present before shipping.
Shipping non-compliant products risks customs seizure, marketplace suspension, and legal liability.
FDA requirements for US-bound products
The US FDA regulates food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, medical devices, and drugs. Products in these categories need FDA facility registration, product listing, and proper labeling. The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) added new requirements for cosmetics in 2024.
The warehouse should verify FDA-related marks and documentation before shipping. Products without required FDA compliance should be held and escalated.
CE marking for EU-bound products
The CE mark indicates that a product meets EU safety, health, and environmental requirements. Products requiring CE marking include electronics, toys, machinery, personal protective equipment, and medical devices. The seller or manufacturer must create a Declaration of Conformity and technical file.
The warehouse verifies the CE mark is present and legible. The warehouse does not verify the underlying technical compliance—that is the seller's responsibility.
CPC for children's products
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires a Children's Product Certificate (CPC) for products designed primarily for children 12 and under. The CPC must be based on testing from a CPSC-accepted laboratory.
Toys, children's clothing, cribs, and other children's products need CPC documentation. The warehouse should verify CPC availability before shipping children's products to the US.
The warehouse's compliance verification role
The warehouse should maintain a compliance checklist per SKU and destination market. Before shipping, verify: required marks are present, documentation is available, labeling matches the destination requirements, and restricted substances are within limits.
If any compliance element is missing, the warehouse holds the product and escalates to the seller. The warehouse should never ship products it knows to be non-compliant.
FAQ
Who is responsible for product compliance?
The seller or manufacturer. The warehouse verifies marks and documents are present but does not establish compliance.
What does FDA regulation cover?
Food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, medical devices, and drugs. Requires facility registration, product listing, and proper labeling.
When is CE marking required?
For electronics, toys, machinery, PPE, and medical devices sold in the EU. Seller creates Declaration of Conformity.
What is a CPC?
Children's Product Certificate required by CPSC for products designed for children 12 and under. Must be based on accepted lab testing.
Sources and verification links
Operational rules can change. Check the linked primary sources and confirm shipment-specific requirements before booking.
- FDA — Product complianceOfficial source
- EU CE markingOfficial source
- CPSC — Children's productsOfficial source