How to Import Toys from China: A Comprehensive Guide

Estimated reading time: 14 minutes

There is an opportunity to import toys from China. Now really is the absolute best time to get good prices and quality merchandise, but there are problems.
There are a lot of things to consider, from selecting the proper suppliers or distributors to facing issues like import fees or knowing more about the country’s production centers. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to get toys from China and makes it easier for you to make a decision.

What Should I Pay Attention to When Importing Toys from China?

1. Regulatory Measures and Compliance of Toys Being Imported

A: International Standards: Toys imported from China must meet the safety standards that apply to all the target markets. For example:

U.S. Market: Says it has to meet the requirements of “ASTM F963” and “CPSIA” concerning lead content, small parts, and content of phthalates.

European Union: Must be produced under the safety and quality of “EN71” for parts B, F, and G standards related to the presence of heavy metals, electrical safety, and flammable materials, respectively.

Other Markets: Every nation has its own standards (as Japan has its ST Standards). The information obtained will ensure compliance for each market before import.

B: Certificates and Testing: Get Attestation from certain recognized organizations, such as:

• CE Certification (required in Europe)
• CPSIA Compliance (for the U.S.)
• CCC Certification (for China)

C: Material and Quality Assurance: 

• Avoid hazardous chemicals in materials like plastics and paints, ensuring they meet toy safety guidelines.
• Use “phthalate-free plastics” for toys and “lead-free paint” for all surfaces, tested by a certified lab.

2. Special Features – Product for Specific Age and Clear Labeling

Age Warnings and Labels: Each toy should have precautions and instructions similar to those ones: ‘Not suitable for children under 3 years’. This also alerts the caregivers of any danger that is within the home and also acquaint them with the state laws.

Example: “A toy manufacturer also wrote age-specific labels and warnings in English, French, and German for a European shipment and thus could avoid multilingual labeling and relabeling costs at EU customs.”

3. Customs and Documentation

Provide documents about invoices, packing lists, certificates, and test reports.

4. IP Protection (Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights)

Avoiding Counterfeits: Policies regarding counterfeiting exist in the Chinese marketplace, therefore it is confirmed that products do not violate IP. When designing product logos, clothes, or any part of your merchandise, do not imitate famous brands without getting permission because you will be exposed to lawsuits or import bans.

Register Your IP: If you have proprietary or branded toys, consider registering your trademark and patent in China to prevent unauthorized replication. Any toy may be proprietary or branded, so it is wise to register trademarks and patents in China.

What Are Types of Toys, and How Much Do They Cost in China?

Not all toys can be categorized as either being highly profitable or as highly-selling toys. When knowing what products are sold most frequently and what trends are popular now, it is possible to base decisions on where to invest and where not to lose money.

Due to technological advancement and the use of the internet marketplace, private-label toys have been easy to market through sites such as Amazon, eBay, and Shopify since they give useful data on the customer to the seller on the best way to manage stock. Below is a breakdown of popular toy categories in China and their average costs:

1. Educational Toys (Magnetic building sets, Montessori learning toys, and materials in the form of interactive flashcards)

As developmental toys intended to enhance academic performance and problem-solving skills in children, toys that can be used without a screen are some of the most sought-after by parents.

Average Price:

• Basic wooden puzzles: $0.50 per unit.
• Advanced STEM kits: A range of $2-$5 for a piece depending on the materials and technology involved.

2. Electronic Toys (Toy cars that can be controlled with remote control, robots that speak, animal animal-shaped toys that can dance)

Remote-controlled vehicles and toys, including automobiles, boats, airplanes, helicopters, and robots commonly have lights or sound or can move.

Average Price:

• Simple battery-operated toys: $1-$3 per unit.
• Advanced RC cars or robots: $5-$20+ per unit.

3. Plush and Soft Toys

Soft toys are suitable for kids, animated characters dinosaurs’ lovers as well as a collection of prizes that bring people comfort.

Average Price:

• Small plush toys: $0.80-$2 per unit.
• Larger or branded plush dolls: $5-$10+ per unit.

4. Toys [Classic TV notable characters Action Figures & Collectibles]

Favorite among children and collectors, these toys have photos from movies, cartoons, or video games.

Average Price:

• Small action figures: $0.50-$1 per unit.
• Branded or licensed collectibles: $5-$15+ per unit.

5. Outdoor Toys

Little worlds of recreation, outdoor toys promote physical activity and can well be sold in season.

Average Price:

• Simple toys like kites: $0.50 per unit.
• Larger items like scooters or water slides: $3-$15+ per unit.

Popular Examples: Swings, toss balls, hula hoops, jump ropes, infant on Call, inflatable pools, and scooters for children.

6. Creative Toys – Arts and Crafts

Cultivate imagination and uniqueness while frequently advertised as not-tech oriented.

Average Price:

• Basic coloring kits: $0.20-$0.70 per unit.
• Complex craft sets: $1-$5 per unit.

Examples: Paint-by-number sets, bead art activity sets, and modeling clay.

7. Infant and Toddler Toys

These toys are specially designed to stimulate the development of the five senses of the child and are actually very safe for the young child.

Average Price:

• Simple rattles: $0.20-$0.50 per unit.
• Complex activity sets: $1-$3+ per unit.

Popular Examples: soft blocks, teething rings, and free items such as toys for playing sensory development kits.

How to Find Reliable Toy Suppliers and Manufacturers in China?

Reliable toy suppliers are the heart of any import business. Find reliable toy suppliers in China, and you will be able to set up everything required: superior quality, reasonable prices, and no headache-causing transactions. Here is how you can effectively go through this process:

1. Chinese Wholesale Websites: Your Online Gateway to Toy Suppliers

Chinese wholesale websites are, in a word, the best places to source toys because they exude convenience, variety, and accessibility all in one package. Here’s how you can make the most of these platforms:

2. Trade Shows in China: Where Business Meets Opportunity

Trade fairs have indeed been a game changer in sourcing toys, enabling direct access to suppliers, evaluation of products, and networking.

• Canton Fair: One of the most historic fairs, it has a wide variety of industries, from toys to other products, under it.
• Global Sources Fair: High-quality suppliers with innovations in products.
• China Toy Expo: Only toys are exhibited in this fair, so this is a must for those who want really specialized insights.

Expert Tip:

You can import toys from China effectively and efficiently by working with a specialized sourcing agent like OwlSourcing.” KY is a sourcing specialist with over 7 years of experience in the toy import industry. He has collaborated with global brands to streamline supply chains, ensure product compliance, and reduce import costs. KY is currently the Lead Sourcing Manager at OwlSourcing. “With decades of experience in the global trade industry, OwlSourcing has helped thousands of businesses navigate the complexities of toy imports, ensuring compliance with safety standards, competitive pricing, and reliable suppliers.

Top Chinese Cities for Sourcing and Importing Toys

Now, let’s take a closer look at the Chinese cities most involved in toy production, including their peculiarities.

1. Yiwu Market – Wholesale Toys

Address: No. 158, Binwang Road, Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province, China

Yiwu Market is the largest wholesale market for small commodities in China, attracting numerous suppliers from all over the country. The range of goods is huge, and the main businesses in Yiwu include toys.

Toy categories in Yiwu include wooden toys, plastic toys, plush toys, electronic toys, and remote-control toys.

Advantages:

• Low-Quantity Purchase: Best suited for small businesses or startups because of the support it gives to low MOQs.
• Affordable Price: Economical solutions on offer for budget-conscious buyers.

Disadvantages:

• Lower Quality of Product: Some products cannot meet the required standards in safety and durability in high-regulation markets such as the U.S. or Europe.
• Low Customization: Most sell locally designed toys with little room for buyers to get their needs catered for.

2. Yunhe – Wooden Toys

Yunhe is the largest China wooden toy hub, which annually supplies about 10 billion Chinese yuan worth of products. It is among those places to be visited if a person intends to obtain quality and environment-friendly toys.

Advantages:

• Customizable Products: The manufacturer can be consulted on ways of designing the product by changing the particular needs of some specific buyer.
• A mature industry chain.
• Eco-Friendly: Most Yunhe factories are concerned about environmental issues and therefore produce toys whose wood material is sourced responsibly.

Disadvantages:

• Minimal Order Quantities: Might deter small-scale buyers.
• Dependence on Imported Materials: Most raw materials, like beechwood and pine, are imported; this might affect the market prices.

3. Shantou – Plastic Toys (Mid to Low-End)

Shantou is the biggest hub for plastic toy production and has 49,000 plus registered toy manufacturers as of 2022. The brand caters to the mid to low-end market.

• Great value for money: Extremely competitive quotations compared to the price being offered, also the industry chain is developed.
• Multiple manufacturing procedures: Injection, blow, and rotational molding.
• So many toy showrooms.

Disadvantages:

• Less Innovation: The manufacturers do less development.
• Simple Product Design: Less complexity in the design of products as compared to other markets.

4. Dongguan – Electric & Plastic Toys (Middle to High-End)

Being from the “world’s factory” to a powerful manufacturer of mid-to-high-end toys, especially high-tech and advanced plastic toys.

Advantages:

• Advanced Production process for high-quality products;
• Support fashionable and exquisite design;
• Range Diverse: Electronic toys and high-quality plastic toys.

Disadvantages:

• More Expensive Products: These are manufactured using better technology and quality control.

5. Yangzhou – Stuffed Toys

Yangzhou is the biggest production base for stuffed toys in China, producing items in this category that are highly cost-effective and of high quality.

Advantages:

• Original Designs: Dedicated to designing original animal prototypes and customized plush characters.
• High Output: The plush toys market in 2022 stood at 330 billion yuan; this shows it leads globally.

Disadvantages:

• Product Homogeneity: High similarity among designs, little differentiation.
• Lack of Branding: High global brands are scarce for local manufacturers.

How to Ensure Toy Quality and Safety Standards Compliance?

It is crucial for toy importers to guarantee toy quality and their adherence to various safety requirements especially where the toy business is pretty competitive and repeatedly monitored as in the case of the United States, Europe, and Australia. Penalties may include fines, recall, and worst of all, suffering great harm to your corporate image is not a joke. Here’s a comprehensive guide:

1. It is important to have an understanding of both the International and Local Toy Safety Standards.

• United States: Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) toys are required to meet the standards of ASTM F963. The most important provisions include restrictions on lead and phthalates, the requirement for flammability of materials used in some children’s products, and the prohibition on small parts in personal gear.
• Europe: EN71 standard must be followed strictly. It contains provisions on chemical safety, mechanical features, flammability, and marking on toys.
• Australia: The Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS ISO 8124 is adopted, which corresponds to the international standards for toys.

2. Choose to partner with certified Suppliers

It is also important to negotiate with suppliers, who have good compliance records. Request documentation, including:

• CE Certification (for Europe).
• CPSIA testing reports (for the United States).
• The CCC Certification (concerning China markets).

3. Carry out pre-shipping quality assurance inspection

Check raw materials for compliance with safety requirements before incorporating them. For instance:

• Avoid the usage of plastics containing phthalates and paints that have lead in them.
• Ensure that fabrics used in making plush toys are not toxic and do not have any characteristics of a choking hazard.

4. Test Finished Products

• Chemical Safety: Confirm that no material has lead, cadmium, formaldehyde, or any other toxic material in it.
• Small Parts Testing: Ensure that toys in Category B Specifically Toys for Children Below the Age of Three do not have any detachable small parts.
• Flammability: Evaluate fabrics and plastics to verify compliance with sets of flammability resistance standards.

What is The Import Duty On Toys from China?

In the USA, most toys fall under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule number 9503.00.00. Toys as a rule have a duty-free rate of 0%. But there are still other costs to consider:

a) Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF)

What it is: A payment charged to most imported goods as a means of recovering costs incurred on customs services.

How it’s calculated:

For goods valued under $2,500: Flat fees vary from $2 to $9 for every shipment.

For goods valued over $2,500: This costs 0.3464%, with a basic rate of $27.75 and a max rate of $575.

b) Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF)

What it is: A charge levied on imported goods that come through sea transport a way used to fund the functioning of ports in the United States.

Rate: 0.125% of the shipment’s value.

Example: “For instance, if the toys on board had a value of $10,000, the calculated MPF would be $34.64 and the HMF $12.50.”

c) Possible Consequences of Trade Policies

For example, recent debates concern rate adjustments on different imports from China that might affect toy production.

Note: Do I have to pay an import tax on goods from China?

According to the US Customs, the de minimis rule allows imports with a total goods value of not more than $800 duty-free entry.

But this exemption does not apply to:

Special or restricted goods like beer or cigarettes.

Products that a seller splits into smaller lots with the intent of sending them in many packages each of which costing not exceeding $800, as this may raise red flags with customs.

In case the value of the consignment sent is over $800, the recipient is required to the importation duty that is dependent on the classification of the goods in HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule).

For instance, the toys that fall under HS Code 9503.00.00 have a 0% duty rate while other categories such as the ones falling under HS Code 5005.90.20 or 1500.11.00 may attract a rate between 5 percent and 15 percent.

Read More:

• Sourcing in China | The Guide to Source Products From China
• Importing Clothing and Textiles from China
• what is a sourcing agent?
• Benefits of Working with China Sourcing Agents

Final Thoughts

China is one of the world’s main toy producers with over 85 percent of the world’s total toy production. The country is an ideal sourcing destination due to its large manufacturing scale, competitive pricing, and attractive business-planning services in the field of toy manufacturing.

But it won’t be enough to find suppliers to succeed in this sector. Strategic planning, proactive problem-solving, and compliance with international safety and legal standards are involved. This guide and with the help of OwlSourcing will give you advice to navigate the toy import process and make a successful business.

1, What Are the Best Packaging and Shipping Options For Toys from China?

When it comes to toys from China, the best packaging is in durable cardboard boxes with bubble wrap and clear labeling.

Air freight is best for urgent and lightweight items for shipping while sea freight is a better choice for large or bulky shipments in cost-efficient terms.

2, How Long Does It Take to Import Toys from China?

It typically takes 30-90 days to import toys from China, depending on the following factors:

• Production Time: Depending on the order complexity, and in the case of factories it may take 15 to 30 days.
• Quality Checks: Inspections and testing will take 1 to 5 days.
• Shipping Time: As a result, sea freight can take up to 20-45 days heading to the destination.

Note: You might see delays on peak seasons and times, or due to unforeseen logistical challenges.

3, Do I Need a License to Import Toys from China?

As a rule of thumb, you don’t need a special license to import toys from China, though as always, you need to make sure that toys comply with the safety standard and regulations of the end destination country — such as the CPSIA in the U.S. or EN71 in the EU.

4, How Can I Verify the Quality of Toys Before Shipping?

By working with OwlSourcing, you can verify the quality of toys before shipping. It includes quality control, factory audits, and sample testing all for complying with safety and quality standards.

5, When Importing Toys, what certifications should I be looking for?

While importing toys, check if the toys come with certifications like CE (Europe), ASTM F963 (U.S.), and ST Standards (Japan) to know they are in accordance with regional safety standards.

6, What do I do with Returns or Defective Products from China?

To handle returns or defective products from China, establish clear agreements with suppliers in advance, including detailed return policies. Work with suppliers to negotiate replacements or refunds and inspect goods thoroughly before shipping to minimize defects.