Issue

From 22 October 2026, Royal Mail requires product-level compliance data on shipments containing goods regulated by US federal agencies. This applies to products including food, cosmetics, medicines, toys, electronics, and plant or animal products.

Without this data, affected shipments risk being held at the US border.

Solution

Compliance is a three-step process. Steps 1 and 2 are completed outside Linnworks. Step 3 is only required in specific circumstances — see below.

Step 1 — Identify which products are affected

Import your product catalogue into Zonos, the free tool added to your Royal Mail account. You can do this by exporting your catalogue from Linnworks (SKU, product name, country of origin, and HS tariff code) and uploading it via CSV. Zonos will screen each item and flag any that require additional information for US entry.

For guidance on exporting your catalogue from Linnworks, see Item Export.

For guidance on importing into Zonos, visit royalmail.com/usabusinessupdates.

Step 2 — Complete any flagged product data in Zonos

For any product Zonos flags as needing attention, upload the required information — this includes your test certification, manufacturer details, and any supporting documents relevant to the applicable agency (CPSC, FDA, USDA/APHIS etc.). Once Zonos confirms the data is complete, no further action is needed for that product — Zonos handles the submission to Royal Mail automatically on each shipment.

Note: Zonos is a screening and clearance broker, not a certification body. Sellers are responsible for holding valid certification for their products (e.g. a Certificate of Compliance for CPSC-regulated goods). Zonos checks that the data is complete and accurate — it does not issue certificates on your behalf.

Step 3 — Add the certificate number in Linnworks

This step only applies if you have formally registered your products directly with the CPSC and received a government-issued reference number from them. If so, add it to the relevant products in Linnworks using the item extended property PgaReferenceNumber.

If Zonos has confirmed your products are compliant, you do not need to complete this step.

To add item extended properties in Linnworks, see Item Extended Properties Import.