EPA Certificate for Importers: What to Verify

Any new small non-road engine sold in the United States must be covered by an EPA Certificate of Conformity issued under the Clean Air Act. For importers of lawn mowers, chippers, generators and similar machines, the certificate number on the engine is the document that proves the machine can legally enter, be sold and be used in the US market. This guide explains who needs the certificate, how to read one, and the verification steps that keep an import shipment out of customs trouble.

Who actually needs the EPA certificate

Three groups hit this requirement in practice:

US importers bringing in new gasoline-engine equipment for resale — the certificate must accompany the engine family.
Distributors and dealers buying from overseas suppliers who want proof of compliance before committing to a container.
OEM/ODM buyers who rebrand machines — the engine certificate stays valid because it covers the engine family, not the finished machine brand.

If the engine is not covered by a current certificate, the machine cannot legally be sold for use in the US — no amount of paperwork elsewhere changes that. The certificate number on the engine label is the reference customs and EPA use during import review.

Read the certificate like a buyer, not a lawyer

An EPA certificate names four things an importer should verify:

Field	What it tells you
Certificate holder	Usually the engine manufacturer (e.g. LONCIN General Power Equipment)
Engine family	The compliance family code (e.g. TCGPS.2241PC)
Model year	Which production year the certificate covers
Effective/expiry dates	The window in which engines may be introduced into US commerce

The TorqMax mower engines carry certificate TCGPS.2241PC-055, matching the 224cc LONCIN engines fitted to our 550mm models — see the SDL224-55A remote-controlled lawn mower. The certificate is published for download on the About and OEM/ODM pages so prospective partners can verify before ordering.

Coverage passes down the machine

The certificate covers the engine family, not the finished machine brand. That is what makes OEM/ODM workable: a distributor can rebrand the complete machine and still ship it with documented engine compliance, because the compliance obligation follows the engine, not the label on the chassis. It is also why you should never accept a certificate for a different engine family than the one actually fitted — the paperwork must match the engine plate on every unit in the container. Spot-check a few machines at the warehouse if you are buying in volume.

What customs and EPA actually check

During import, the machine is reviewed against the declared engine family. The practical checks are: the engine label is present and legible, the family code on the label matches the certificate, and the certificate is current for the model year being imported. Missing labels or a family mismatch are the classic reasons a container gets held. Keeping the certificate PDF with the shipment file and having the engine family printed on your own documentation avoids most of those delays. The official framework is published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — always confirm current requirements there before your first shipment.

Ask your supplier for the certificate before the PO

Request the certificate PDF with your quotation, then verify three things before you commit: the engine family matches the machine engine plate, the certificate holder is the engine manufacturer (not a reseller), and the expiry covers your delivery window. A supplier who publishes the certificate publicly — as TorqMax does — has nothing to hide at customs. If a supplier hesitates to share the certificate or offers a “compliance letter” instead of a real EPA certificate number, treat that as a red flag and get the actual document.

Common mistakes importers make

Accepting a certificate for a similar but different engine family.
Assuming the finished-machine brand needs its own certificate (it does not — the engine family is what matters).
Forgetting to confirm the certificate is current for the model year in the container.
Relying on a dealer “assurance” instead of the certificate PDF itself.

Frequently asked questions

Does every gasoline machine need an EPA certificate? Every new small non-road engine sold in the US needs one — mowers, chippers, generators and similar equipment are all covered by the non-road engine rules.

Can I rebrand an EPA-certified machine? Yes — the certificate covers the engine family, so OEM/ODM rebranding keeps the engine compliance intact.

How do I verify a supplier’s EPA certificate? Check the engine family code on the certificate matches the label on the machine, confirm the holder is the engine manufacturer, and make sure the dates cover your shipment window.

Are TorqMax engines EPA-certified? Yes — the LONCIN engines used across our mower range carry the TCGPS.2241PC family certificate, published for download on our About and OEM/ODM pages.

What happens if my shipment has no certificate? The unit may be held at import or barred from US sale — the certificate is a legal gate, not a formality.

Importing EPA-certified equipment? Ask us for the current certificate with your quote — we reply within 12 hours (Mon-Sat, GMT+8). Send an inquiry or WhatsApp +86 131 3833 7334.

EPA Certificate of Conformity: What Importers Should Know About Small Engine Compliance