Any Canadian eBay LEGO sellers here? I'm extremely confused about the new July 8 CPSC/eBay requirements.
Summary: clairescustomizedcustoms, a Canadian eBay seller of LEGO, expressed confusion about new U.S. CPSC and eBay requirements affecting their sales, which primarily go to U.S. buyers. Despite extensive research, clear answers have been elusive, creating anxiety over compliance and customs issues. Various suggestions and experiences were shared by other participants, including references to eBay forums and certificates, yet uncertainties regarding documentation and safety requirements remain. Several sellers, including 440snojet and verovintagetreasures, faced inspections that led to the liquidation of shipments, adding to the complexity. Discussion involved concerns about the impact on small sellers and potential measures like adjusting shipping policies.
Hi everyone,
I'm a Canadian eBay seller selling primarily LEGO (roughly half new, half used). Only about 20% of my inventory is pre-2008. Around 90% of my sales go to U.S. buyers, 9% to Canadian buyers, and 1% internationally, so these changes are a huge deal for me.
I've been researching this extensively by reading the CPSC FAQs, eBay's guidance, Reddit, the eBay Canada forums, and by contacting eBay support. Despite all of that, there is still very little clear information out there. At this point, I honestly don't know if the information I've found is correct, complete, or even true. It seems like everyone has a different answer.
Unfortunately, eBay support hasn't been very helpful for me beyond a few points.
A friend of mine who also contacted eBay support was told the following:
Used/opened retired LEGO sets generally don't require uploading a new CPC/GCC document for eBay's listing visibility, as long as the listing is completed correctly (condition, intended age range, vintage/used item specifics, etc.).
Factory-sealed retired LEGO sets should be listed as Brand New, with wording such as "New Old Stock (NOS)" and "Factory Sealed" in the title and/or description.
They were told that this satisfies eBay's own visibility requirements.
That said, I have no idea if this information is actually correct. There is so little information available that I'm hesitant to rely on anything until I hear from people with first-hand experience or official sources.
From everything I've read, it also seems like eBay's listing visibility requirements and the actual CPSC/CBP customs requirements when importing into the U.S. may be two separate issues, which makes this even more confusing.
I'm honestly extremely worried. I wish there were a simple, official step-by-step guide that explained everything, for example:
Exactly which LEGO sets actually require CPC/GCC documentation.
Which age ratings are affected (12 and under? 13+? 14+?).
Whether used sets are treated differently than sealed sets.
Whether retired sets are treated differently.
Exactly how to obtain the required documents.
Exactly what needs to be changed in the title, description, item specifics, and age range.
Whether anything needs to be added or changed on customs forms, commercial invoices, or HTS codes.
Whether sellers using eBay International Shipping or eBay's UPS labels need to do anything different.
Whether this applies differently to LEGO, Funko Pops, or other collectible toys.
What happens if you accidentally misrepresent your item in item specifics? (Age Range)
If anyone has specific information about LEGO, Funko Pops, or toys in general, I'd really appreciate it. Especially if you've spoken directly with eBay Regulatory Compliance, LEGO, UPS, CBP, the CPSC, a customs broker, or you've already gone through this process yourself.
At this point I'm just trying to figure out exactly what we're supposed to do so our listings remain visible to U.S. buyers and our shipments don't run into customs issues.
Any help, clarification, or first-hand experience would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
440snojet
·2 months agoI haven't changed any CPSC things in my listings. Yet I'm still getting buyers from the US through the eIS hub. All orders that hadn't arrived at the hub before the rules changed were liquidated. Since then I've had orders to US buyers make it through. I was under the impression that eBay would hide any listings that didn't meet the CPSC requirements from US buyers(mine are all LEGO and I usually set the age to 8+ on my listings). Most of the buyers also tend to ask for discount to offset the "Extra fees"(tariffs).
mandicrafts
·3 months agoLego site certificate confirmation. Download it (screen print it) and upload to the safety docs section under Disclosures on your listing form on eBay. https://www.lego.com/cdn/cs/legal/assets/bltad63bed99d898b00/LEGO_Conformity_Statement_-_North_America.pdf
clairescustomizedcustoms
OP3 months agoDo I need to attach this document to the outside of the box also when shipping?
mandicrafts
·3 months agoNo, it must be electronically sent to the CBP and I do not know how that is accomplished outside of EIS.
clairescustomizedcustoms
OP3 months agoDamn, this is very complicated. Do you recommend turning off all USA sales outsid of EIS for the time being until we are al given more info?
mandicrafts
·3 months agoeBay actually has a youtube video about this new safety info. Check it out.
440snojet
·3 months agoI had an order of Minifigures arrive at the hub yesterday. They ended up getting Liquidated with the reasoning "Did not pass inspection". Same packaging I've always used. Have sent this specific listing through the hub before. I wonder if it's due to the CPSC stuff.
clairescustomizedcustoms
OP3 months agoWow, so sorry to hear that.
verovintagetreasures
·3 months agoNot a lego exclusively seller but same thing happen to me. Yesterday 2 of my packages arrived at the Hub and were liquidated for not passing the inspection. One was jewelry and the other a lapel pin.
440snojet
·3 months agoHad another one get liquidated this morning as well. eBay refunded the buyer for both. So I'm not out the money, still an inconvenience for the buyers. I cancelled the 2 outstanding US orders I received yesterday. Also added the US to my "excluded locations" in my shipping policy. Not sure if that effects eIS though.
sapphyres-designer-jewellery
·3 months agoThere's another thread on this where the link for the certificates for Lego is posted. You may want to read the other discussion (sorry can't dig it up at the moment).
clairescustomizedcustoms
OP3 months agoThank you
marnotom!
·3 months agoIf you mean this thread:
https://community.ebay.ca/forum/selling-24/topic/2008-toys-new-or-used-will-require-safety-certificate-4353/
the OP has already posted to it and received one response to their two questions.
clairescustomizedcustoms
OP3 months agoDo I need to attach these certificates to the package itself also?
flipistics
·3 months agoMy understanding is that it's supposed to be an electronic filing system, so I don't think a physical copy is needed. I could be wrong. The bigger issue might be whether you can use Lego's CPSC paperwork. From what I've read, while it may satisfy eBay's visibility requirement, I'm not sure it satisfies the border requirements to actually ship it across.
For small sellers, I'm under the impression that nothing from any of those categories is going to be shippable to the States (made after 2007). Hopefully I'm wrong.
clairescustomizedcustoms
OP3 months agoWhy specifically small sellers?
flipistics
·3 months agoLarge sellers (likely with fixed product catalogues) could pay for the required testing or whatever other paperwork is required. For most of us who are largely everything sellers, that's obviously not possible.
Hopefully something gets worked out with the US government once hobbyists and collectors in the States raise a stink when can no longer get items. It seems like the intent is to prevent an influx of cheap items that may not be safe, not stopping collectors from being able to get their hands on a rare item or vintage toy they had as a kid.
clairescustomizedcustoms
OP3 months agoI hope you are right, but unfortunately I have no doubt in my mind that this new policy will not change or go away in the next few years. I pray I am wrong though.