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Last reviewed: September 2026 · Copy link

CPSIA civil penalties, explained

Selling a children’s product that violates CPSC rules exposes the seller to civil penalties calculated per violation, with per-violation amounts and total caps adjusted annually for inflation (they run well into six figures per violation and tens of millions in caps). Penalties apply for knowing violations and for failing to report substantial hazards: ignorance of the rules is not a defense.
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What triggers penaltiesThe factors that set the amount

What triggers penalties

  • Knowingly selling non-compliant children’s products.
  • Failing to report a substantial product hazard to the CPSC promptly.
  • Continuing to sell after a recall notice.
  • Misusing the certification: issuing a CPC without a testing basis.

The factors that set the amount

The CPSC weighs the severity of the hazard, the number of violations, the distribution scale, and the company’s cooperation and history. Small importers are not too small to be fined: enforcement actions regularly target marketplace sellers of a handful of non-compliant items.

Questions people ask

What are the current maximum amounts?

The CPSC adjusts the per-violation and cap figures annually for inflation; they currently sit at six figures per violation with multi-million total caps. Check the CPSC’s current figures rather than relying on older articles.

Can penalties apply to honest mistakes?

The strongest cases involve knowing or willful conduct, but negligence matters too. Documentation showing good-faith testing and certification is your best protection.

Do penalties apply to marketplace sellers?

Yes: marketplace sellers are importers or retailers under the law, and enforcement actions have repeatedly included online sellers of non-compliant children’s products.

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