The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment. For trade compliance, EPA is a Partner Government Agency (PGA) alongside CBP, regulating imports of products subject to the Clean Air Act, Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and the Montreal Protocol.
EPA-regulated imports require additional documentation filed through ACE, and many require a specific EPA form:
- EPA Form 3520-1 — Motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines (Clean Air Act)
- EPA Form 3520-21 — Nonroad engines, vehicles, and equipment (Clean Air Act)
- TSCA Certification — Required for every commercial shipment of chemical substances. Importers certify either that the substance complies with TSCA (positive certification) or is not subject to TSCA (negative certification).
- FIFRA Notice of Arrival — Required for pesticides and devices
Common EPA-regulated commodities include:
- Passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and heavy-duty engines
- Nonroad equipment (lawn mowers, generators, marine engines)
- Industrial chemicals, dyes, and intermediates
- Pesticides and pesticide-treated articles
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other refrigerants
EPA can refuse admission to non-compliant goods, and CBP will then require export or destruction. TSCA violations specifically carry civil penalties of up to $46,989 per violation per day, making accurate import certifications essential.