How to Identify a Fake CE Certificate? A Practical Guide for Importers

When sourcing products from China, one of the most frequently asked questions is:
“Does this product have CE certification?”

Many suppliers will answer “yes” — but what they don’t tell you is that some CE reports are fake, photoshopped, or issued by unrecognized testing companies. In fact, even in 2025, very few professionals openly talk about this problem.

So in this post, we’ll show you two simple steps to verify if a CE report is real or fake — and protect your business from non-compliant suppliers.

✅ TL;DR: How to Spot a Fake CE Report

  • Verify the testing company online: Search the report number on the testing lab’s official website.
  • Cross-check the lab’s credentials on CNAS: Only CNAS-accredited labs are recognized in Europe.

Why You Need to Verify CE Certificates

Not all CE certificates are created equal. Some suppliers:

  • Use Photoshop to edit real reports, swapping out company names.
  • Submit reports from unaccredited testing labs.
  • Claim products are CE-certified when they’re not tested at all.

If you rely on fake CE certificates, you risk:

  • Products being seized by customs
  • Legal fines and product recalls
  • Damaged brand reputation and customer trust

That’s why checking CE certificates is critical to safe importing.

✅ Step 1: Verify the Testing Report with the Issuing Lab

Every CE test report has a unique number and a testing lab name.

Here’s what to do:

  • Visit the lab’s official website.

https://mylcs.lcs-cert.com/en

  • Enter the report number in their public verification system.

  • If no search tool is available, email or call the lab directly with the report attached. Normal it is in the bottom of test report. Easily to find

⚠️ Red flag: If the test number can’t be found, or the lab has no official site — it’s likely fake.

✅ Step 2: Check if the Lab Is CNAS-Accredited

CNAS (China National Accreditation Service) is the only Chinese authority recognized by the EU for testing lab qualifications.

Only test reports issued by CNAS-accredited labs are considered valid in Europe.

How to check:

  1. Go to the CNAS English verification portal:
    https://www.cnas.org.cn/english/Auxiliary/SearchSystem/index.html
  2. Search by:
    • Organization name
    • Registration number (found on the CE report)
  3. If the lab appears, it’s recognized.
    If not, the CE report is not valid for EU markets.

Real-World Sourcing Tip from SourcingXpro

At SourcingXpro, we don’t just look at certificates — we verify them for every order. If a supplier fails to provide a verifiable CE report, we’ll recommend switching to a trusted factory with proper testing credentials.

Here’s how we protect your business:

  • Direct communication with testing labs
  • Full document checks before shipping
  • Pre-shipment inspections to confirm compliance

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Fake Reports Ruin Your Business

Verifying a CE certificate is not difficult — but it’s essential.

Use the two-step process:

  • Verify with the testing lab
  • Confirm CNAS accreditation

By doing so, you’ll avoid scams, ensure your imports are legal, and build trust with your end customers.

And if you’re not sure how to verify it yourself?
Let us help.

Contact SourcingXpro — your reliable partner with 10 years of China sourcing experience.