Source records

I only have a supplier's generic certificate. What now?

A generic CPC/GCC PDF from a supplier may help, but it is not a broker-ready packet until it matches the exact product, factory, testing, citations, and shipment.

Audience: Importers who received a generic certificate PDF from Alibaba, a supplier, a factory, or a sourcing agent.

Check if my shipment is affected View sample handoff packet

Do not treat a generic PDF as complete

A supplier certificate can be useful evidence, but only if it lines up with the exact goods being imported and the records behind the certificate.

Match the product ID, SKU/model, size, color, material, variant, and packaging.

Confirm the legal manufacturer/factory and manufacture date range for your production run.

Confirm the report number, lab, test date, citations, and any exclusions or exceptions.

Turn the PDF into source-backed fields

Your broker or Product Registry workflow needs structured data, not only a certificate image.

Extract the seven Full PGA certificate data elements if your broker files Full PGA.

Prepare Certifier ID, Product ID, and Version ID if Product Registry / Reference PGA is used.

Flag unknown fields instead of guessing from a supplier template.

Ask for proof of fit

The fastest next step is a short supplier/lab follow-up that forces the certificate to match the shipment.

Ask whether the certificate covers your exact PO, batch, factory, model, materials, and labels.

Ask for the test report and lab contact details behind the certificate.

Ask whether anything changed after testing: material, coating, factory, packaging, age grade, or warnings.

Copy-ready assets

Templates you can adapt

Generic certificate follow-up

Subject: Confirm supplier certificate matches our U.S. shipment

Hi [Supplier Name],

Thanks for sending the certificate. Before we use it for U.S. import records, please confirm it applies to our exact product and shipment:

- Product ID / SKU / model / size / color / variant
- Factory legal name and address
- Manufacture date range for our order
- Batch or lot reference
- Test report number and test date
- Lab legal name, address, and phone
- CPSC citations/standards tested
- Whether materials, coatings, components, labels, packaging, age grade, warnings, or factory changed after testing

Please also attach the matching test report or confirm the report number tied to this certificate.

Thanks,
[Importer Name]

Mini FAQ

Common questions

Can I send the supplier PDF directly to my broker?

You can ask your broker what they need, but a PDF alone may not provide structured Full PGA data or Product Registry identifiers.

What if the supplier certificate names a different company?

Confirm whether that company is the manufacturer, exporter, trading company, lab customer, or another party. Do not guess the certifier/importer record.

Next step

Use the readiness check to turn a generic certificate into a source-record checklist.

Check if my shipment is affected