Importing Children’s Products from China

In the global supply chain, China has always been a major producer of children’s products. However for many buyers, how to ensure that products meet international safety standards and avoid potential quality and compliance risks is a complex and critical issue.

Have you ever worried that the children’s products you imported will be recalled due to safety issues? Or do you want to know how to minimize costs while ensuring product safety?

If these questions are bothering you, this article will provide you with clear answers. We will provide the entire process of importing children’s products from China, whether it is factory audits or product testing, as well as every step of the final shipping. It helps you avoid risks and ensure that your products enter the market smoothly.

What Types of Children’s Products Are Suitable for Import from China?

You have a wide cake to choose from when it comes to children’s products for importation from the Chinese market. Some popular categories include:

Which Would be the Best City to Wholesale Children’s Products from China?

a) Import toys from China:

In the toy sector, China has a distinguished city, Shantou. Sitting in Guangdong province, Shantou is referred to as China’s toy city or toy capital. This colorful city is home to many toy factories, vendors, and dealers. It has a comprehensive toy industry with a historical background and a high level of developed system for the production and marketing of toys for domestic markets and exports as well. If it is true that you are interested in a wide range of toys, then Shantou should be of your attention.

For further information, read this article: How to Import Toys from China?

b) Import baby clothing from China:

If you are looking for Chinese cities to import baby clothes, Huzhou is a great choice.

This is a very active city where the Zhili Children’s Garment Market is one of the leaders of the markets in the city with thousands of shops focusing on children’s garments. Huzhou has many skilled designers, a sound supply chain, and domestic and international standards for the products. It would be highly advantageous for those who are sourcing for baby clothing that differing and of high quality to visit Huzhou and the Zhili market.

c) Import Children’s electronics from China:

Most of the children’s electronics are produced in Shenzhen City of Guangdong province in China, which is famous for its electronic and technological industries. Shenzhen boasts numerous factories and suppliers that provide electronic products for children; one of them is Huaqiangbei. Therefore, the buyer is presented with nearly everything that can be interesting for the child, for example, educational tablets, digital storybooks, or children’s photo cameras that are developed especially for young users.

Shenzhen has highly developed manufacturing facilities to ensure a high degree of product differentiation and accreditation to international safety standards in the children’s electronics market. Apart from the necessities, more complex accessories include smart watches for children, electronic science sets, and puzzle toys, as well as toys that favor STEM programs. Shenzhen has excellent production systems and various vendors that make it possible for a company looking for quality children’s electronics to benefit greatly in this market.

Why Import Children’s Products from China?

“United States Imports from China of Toys, games, sports requisites was US$33.39 Billion during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.”

From: Tradingeconomics.com

There are still opportunities to import children’s products from China!

1, Chinese Competitive Edge: China is a global production hub, particularly for children’s products. Its efficient production processes and competitive pricing, along with compliance with toy safety regulations like CPSIA, make it attractive for businesses.

2, Product Diversity: China offers a wide range of children’s products, from toys and apparel to electronics and furniture. This diversity allows businesses to meet market demands.

3, Cost-Effective Manufacturing: China’s ability to scale production reduces unit costs, enabling businesses to offer lower prices while maintaining profitability.

4, Access to Trendy Toys: China is a leader in producing innovative and trendy toys, giving businesses a competitive edge. The industry also provides robust testing and certification systems to ensure product quality and safety.

In addition, there is an effective system of product testing and certification so clients can be confident of the quality and safety of toys from China.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Import Children’s Products From China

Purchasing children’s products from China entails careful preparation and process in order to avoid compromising on quality or standards. Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigate through the process:

Step 1: Market Research for Sourcing kid’s products from China

The use of market research enables the buyer to have an understanding of trends, consumer needs, and potential challenges involved in importing children’s products. It also allows businesses to figure out whether their products or services are properly aligned with markets, as well as decipher various aspects of customer behaviors as well as the topography of competition. With children’s products, a number of safety standards and certifications must be obtained. Parents’ experiences are deciding factors behind purchases.

In market research, the target group of customers must be identified and evaluated for their requirements, tastes, and buying patterns; parents as well as children. Surveying, focus group discussions, and interviews should help you collect such information, and monitoring tools like social media monitoring should help you keep track of trends.

Being aware of all the peculiarities of worldwide purchases, OwlSourcing can contribute to revealing tendencies in global buying, defining buyer preferences, and evaluating competitors, all these to make sound decisions. This could be a survey, focus group, or second-party research such as a market report; At OwlSourcing we confirm that products are as popular and legal in the new market as well as assist companies in planning a well-coordinated and effective market entry understanding legal requirements, risks and opportunities in the global market.

Besides, as a sourcing organization, OwlSourcing can leverage the local manufacturers and industry players to get the latest information to help its clients gain better insight into their targeted markets.

Step 2: Find Reliable Suppliers for Wholesale children’s products from China

There are many ways to find reliable suppliers, here is a list:

• Use Verified Platforms like Alibaba or Global Sources, prioritizing suppliers with high ratings and verified certifications.
• Conduct Factory Audits: This is the most important step. It can avoid many sourcing mistakes when importing from China.
• Check Certifications: Ensure the supplier holds relevant safety certifications such as CPSC, ASTM F963, or CE, and request recent test reports.
• Request Samples: Compare product samples from different suppliers to assess quality and compliance.
• Evaluate Communication: Choose suppliers with clear and responsive communication to avoid future misunderstandings.

Step 3: Get Product Certification for Sourcing baby products from China

For products imported into the U.S., you’ll need a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC), based on CPSC standards, which confirms that the product has passed third-party lab testing.

For toys and similar products, compliance with ASTM F963 is mandatory, ensuring the product meets safety standards for physical, mechanical, and chemical risks.

In the EU, products must have CE marking and comply with the EN71 Toy Safety Directive.

Send product samples to the accredited lab for testing. Ensure all variations of the product, including different colors or sizes, are tested if required.

Once the product passes testing, you’ll receive a test report from the lab. Use this report to issue a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) for the U.S. or CE certification for the EU.

“Implementing the CPSC regulations test is mandatory when you are importing children’s products. The OwlSourcing team guarantees that after receiving the batch of products, every shipment goes through the certified laboratories to ensure that the product complies with the CPSIA,” notes David, Senior Compliance Officer at OwlSourcing,  inclusive of over 17 years of experience in product safety and international trades.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to ask for various papers, for instance, a Children’s Product Certificate that confirms that each batch is free from the mandatory safety tests.

Step 4: Prepare for Shipping

When preparing for shipping, it’s important to ensure the process is smooth, cost-effective, and compliant with import regulations. 

1. Choose the Right Shipping Method: Depending on your timeline and budget, select the appropriate method, such as sea freight, air freight, or express shipping.
2. Packaging Optimization: Ensure your products are well-packaged to avoid damage during transit.
3. Shipping Documentation: Prepare key documents such as the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Certificates of Origin.

OwlSourcing can assist with your shipping needs, offering custom shipping services that cover everything from packaging optimization to choosing the best shipping method.

Step 5: Customs Clearance and Payment of Duties

For Customs Clearance and Payment of Duties, it’s essential to ensure all documentation is correct and that the appropriate tariffs are paid to avoid delays.

What Documents Are Required to Import Children’s Products from China?

1, Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)

Please note: When children’s products enter the US market, importers are required by law to provide CPC.

This is a document generated based on product test results, confirming that the product meets relevant safety standards. CPC is a mandatory requirement of the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).

2, Third-Party Lab Test Reports

Children’s products require higher safety assurance because they are directly aimed at underage consumers. These products (such as toys, baby products, clothing, etc.) may contain chemicals or physical risks that are harmful to children’s health and must be tested by third-party labs.

These test reports usually include test results for lead content, phthalates, flammability, choking risks of small parts, etc.

“Anything can be recalled. From toys and cribs to strollers and high chairs, essentially anything made by a manufacturer.

Children’s products are recalled frequently: more than twice a week. That means there are on average over 100 children’s products recalled per year. Chances are you have a recalled product, which is why it is so important to check.”

From: Kids in Danger

3, Product Labels

Children’s products usually have stricter labeling requirements. For example, the US market requires products to have clear age grading, warning signs (such as anti-choking risks), and product traceability information (such as production batch number and manufacturer information). These labels ensure that parents can correctly understand and use the product to avoid potential dangers.

4, Toy safety standards (such as ASTM F963)

If the toys you import are children’s toys, they must comply with the US toy safety standard ASTM F963. This standard includes requirements for toy materials, structural design, performance, and packaging to ensure that the products do not pose physical or chemical hazards when used.

Expert Tip: According to U.S. regulations, CPSC testing and certification are mandatory for products intended for children under 12 years of age, ensuring their safety before entering the market. Additionally, products for children under 14 years of age must comply with the ASTM F963 Toy Safety Standard.

Summing Up

In conclusion, importing children’s products from China may be very advisable if skillful at different varieties of products. But at the same time, it has a list of threats and issues that have to be addressed with a significant focus on high quality and effective cooperation with suppliers and compliance with import legislation. If you are willing to establish high-quality specifications, select reliable vendors and suppliers, and obey all the rules and regulations applicable to products imported to your child, you will be able to make the imports of your child’s product from China very successful to meet your business objectives.

We wish you a satisfying procurement experience in China!