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For importers, Amazon sellers, distributors and private-label brands, the North American power strip market is shaped less by outlet count than by the 120 V / NEMA plug ecosystem, the safety listing buyers and retailers expect, the USB charging specification, and the labeling each country requires. This guide summarizes what to confirm before you request a quotation for the US, Canada or Mexico.
The US, Canada and Mexico all use a nominal 120 V supply with NEMA 1-15 (two-prong) and NEMA 5-15 (grounded) plugs and receptacles. Most household and office power strips are built around a 15 A plug. The electrical rating of the finished strip (for example 125 V, 10 A, 1250 W) must follow the approved design and is not the same as the rating of the wall circuit.
In the US, power strips are evaluated as relocatable power taps under UL 1363, which covers indoor, cord-and-plug-connected units rated 250 V AC or less and 20 A or less. Many retailers, distributors and workplace buyers ask for a Listing from an OSHA-recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) such as UL Solutions, Intertek (ETL) or CSA Group, not only a test report.
A strip sold as a “surge protector” must additionally comply with UL 1449. Joule rating, voltage protection rating and indicator behaviour should not be added to marketing copy unless the approved design supports them.
Integrated USB-A and USB-C ports are now a common way to differentiate a range. Buyers should specify single-port output and shared-output behaviour separately. USB charging circuits contain switching electronics and are normally assessed under FCC Part 15, Subpart B using the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity route.
Linear strips suit desks and workstations. Compact cube and tower formats serve bedside, dorm and home-office use. Wall-mounted outlet extenders suit hotels and kitchens.
PVC cords and some components can trigger California Proposition 65 warning obligations. Canada requires bilingual English/French consumer packaging and labeling. Settle these choices before artwork approval.
| Market | Supply and plug | Core safety standard for power strips | Other items buyers usually check |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 120 V, 60 Hz; NEMA 1-15 / 5-15 | UL 1363; UL 1449 if surge-protected; UL 1363A for special-purpose units in patient-care areas | NRTL Listing mark, FCC Part 15B SDoC for USB circuits, California Prop 65 review |
| Canada | 120 V, 60 Hz; NEMA 1-15 / 5-15 | CSA C22.2 No. 308 | Canadian certification mark such as cUL, cETL or CSA; bilingual packaging |
| Mexico | 127 V nominal, 60 Hz; NEMA 1-15 / 5-15 | NOM electrical-safety certification for the product category | Spanish labeling; confirm the applicable NOM and certification body per project |
Standards are cited for sourcing orientation. Buyers should confirm the current edition and scope for the exact model with their certification body.
| Decision area | Questions to resolve before quotation | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Market and channel | US only, US + Canada, or all of North America? Amazon, retail, hospitality or B2B distribution? | Determines certification marks, labeling languages and packaging. |
| Listing route | Test report only, or UL / ETL / CSA Listing with factory follow-up? | Listing adds cost and lead time but is often required by retailers and workplaces. |
| Electrical rating | Voltage, current, total wattage, outlet count and simultaneous-use conditions? | Marketing claims must follow the approved electrical design. |
| Surge protection | Is surge protection required? Target joule and voltage protection ratings? | Surge claims require UL 1449 evaluation. |
| USB configuration | Number of USB-C and USB-A ports; single-port and total output? | Port count alone does not describe charging performance. |
| Cord and plug | Cord length, gauge, jacket material, flat or straight plug? | Affects safety evaluation, Prop 65 review and usability behind furniture. |
| Format | Linear, compact, tower or wall-mounted? | Changes tooling, packaging and retail positioning. |
| Documentation | Which test reports, listings, declarations and inspection records are required? | Must match the final configuration, not a similar model. |
A laboratory test report shows that samples of a design were tested against a standard. A Listing, for example UL Listed or ETL Listed, authorizes the manufacturer to apply the laboratory's mark and includes ongoing factory follow-up inspections. Retail channels often require the Listing. State which one is needed at the RFQ stage because it affects cost, lead time and which components can later be changed without re-evaluation.
State the target countries and sales channel, including any marketplace or retailer compliance requirements.
Confirm the AC rating, receptacle layout, cord, surge requirement, USB output and listing route before cosmetic customization.
Review the approved sample, rating label, packaging, warnings and model-specific documents as one controlled configuration.
LONGRICH POWER supports North American B2B and private-label programs with platform selection, engineering review, sampling, documentation planning and production.
The WPG01 and WPG05 wall outlets are supplied with FCC and UL 62368-1 test reports; ECS-US019 has FCC documentation, and documentation for ECS-US013 is confirmed per project. None of these are UL 1363 evaluations or Listings. When a retailer or channel requires UL 1363 evaluation or a UL or ETL Listing, we arrange the Listing project together with the customer for the final configuration. LONGRICH has supplied programs that customers sell in Canada and Mexico; the customer holds the country certification, while LONGRICH supports it with samples, test documentation and controlled production.
MOQ is 1,000 pcs per model as standard, or from 500 pcs per model on existing models with your logo and neutral packaging. Stock samples ship in about 3 days; mass production takes about 35 days for 1,000–5,000 pcs.
Related market guide: UK Power Strip Standards and OEM Sourcing
Power strips are evaluated as relocatable power taps under UL 1363. Units that claim surge protection must also meet UL 1449. Special-purpose units for patient-care areas fall under UL 1363A.
No. A test report documents testing of samples. A Listing authorizes use of the laboratory's mark and includes factory follow-up inspections. LONGRICH platforms come with test reports, and a Listing can be arranged for programs that need one.
Often yes, because both use 120 V and NEMA plugs, but Canada evaluates power bars to CSA C22.2 No. 308, requires a Canadian certification mark and needs bilingual packaging.
Include target countries and channel, listing route, outlet count, AC rating, surge requirement, USB configuration, cord specification, format, estimated annual volume, branding, packaging and required documents.