> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.tunl.to/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# What’s a Drop Ball Certificate & When Do You Need One?

If you’re shipping **eyewear**, like sunglasses, spectacle lenses, or frames - 📚 **into certain countries**, you may need to provide a **Drop Ball Certificate** or equivalent proof that your products have passed an **impact-resistance test**.


### 🧐 What is a Drop Ball Certificate?

A Drop Ball Certificate confirms that your eyewear lenses have passed an **impact resistance** test.
The “drop ball” test is just what it sounds like, a small steel ball is dropped onto the lens from a specific height, and the lens must stay intact. 👓💪
This test protects customers by making sure lenses are safe for everyday wear.


### 📍 When & Where Is It Required?

###### 🇺🇸 United States
* **Required for**: All eyewear lenses (prescription, non-prescription, sunglasses, reading glasses) under **FDA regulation 21 CFR 801.410**

* **Value threshold**: None — applies regardless of shipment value

* **Consequence if missing**: Shipments may be delayed or detained by **U.S. Customs** and the **FDA**


###### 🇪🇺 European Union & UK
* Covered under **EN ISO 12312-1** and related standards

* Impact resistance is required as part of CE/UKCA marking compliance, but **a separate “Drop Ball Certificate” is not typically requested** at the border

* Importers/manufacturers must keep **test records** in their technical file for compliance audits


###### 🇦🇺 Australia & 🇳🇿 New Zealand
* Must meet **AS/NZS 1067.1** standards for sunglasses and fashion spectacles

* Impact testing is part of the standard; certificates may be requested during audits, not normally at import clearance


###### 🌏 Other regions (e.g., Canada, Japan, Singapore)
* No routine drop ball certificate requirement for import clearance, but **local safety standards** often include similar testing

* Certificates may be requested by distributors or during regulatory checks


### 📝 What goes into a U.S. Drop Ball Certificate?
* Statement confirming lenses are impact resistant per **21 CFR 801.410**

* Company name & address

* Date & signature of an authorized person

* Optional: Shipment airway bill (AWB) number


**Example wording:**
“I hereby guarantee that the articles listed herein are impact resistant within the meaning of 21 CFR 801.410 and have been tested pursuant to that section. Records will be maintained for 3 years and provided to the FDA upon request.”


### **🚚 TUNL Tips for Merchants**
* **USA shipments** → Always include the Drop Ball Certificate in your commercial documents

* **Other countries** → Keep impact test records handy for compliance, even if not requested at the border

* **Template request** → 💌 Contact TUNL Support and we’ll send you a ready-to-use Drop Ball Certificate form


💡 **Bottom line:** If your eyewear is headed to the USA, you *must* have a Drop Ball Certificate. For other countries, check the destination’s eyewear safety standards and keep your impact test documentation ready just in case.
---

### 🦸‍♀️ Have more questions? We're here to help!
If you run into any issues or have questions, reach out to our support team via Whatsapp [__here__](http://wa.link/gpiyz3) or on chat [__here__](https://tunl.to/#crisp-open).

**Please help us help you by rating this article below. Was it useful? Your feedback means a lot to us!**
---

**Keywords:** drop ball certificate | drop ball test | eyewear shipping requirements | impact resistance test | FDA eyewear regulations | 21 CFR 801.410 | sunglasses export USA | spectacle lens testing | international shipping documents | customs clearance eyewear | eyewear compliance certificate | shipping sunglasses to USA | eyewear safety standards | CE eyewear requirements | EN ISO 12312-1 | AS/NZS 1067.1 | eyewear import rules | global eyewear regulations | TUNL shipping guide | eyewear export compliance