Not having clear idea about how to import toys from China? You have come to the right place! This post will provide 6 tips for you to start your toy sourcing below.
Why People Import Toys from China?
China is the “factory of the world”. In China, you can buy most kinds of products, not to mention the category of toys.
It is notable that the largest exporter of toys in 2021 was China, which was $101.85 billion, a 16-fold difference from the second largest exporter, the United States, which was $6.77 billion.
Germany and Hong Kong follow China and the United States, but Hong Kong’s exports of toys are mostly re-exports of Chinese toys, which indirectly reflects China’s importance in the global toy industry.
But why do importers all over the world import toys from China?
The answer is simple.
China produces most of the world’s best toys, including wooden, plastic, electronic and plush toys. More importantly, Chinese suppliers often offer the best prices and importers are able to conduct highly profitable resale.
If you want to learn more about the wide variety of toys imported from China, why not visit the China toy expo held in Shanghai every year? It is the largest trade fair in Asia, covering more than 17 categories including toy manufacturers and exportable toys, and has attracted at least 100,000 foreign buyers every year for the past 18 years.
Therefore, it is your best choice to import toys from China.
Top Toys Manufacturers in China and Where They’re Found
Depending on different categories, the excellent toy manufacturers in China are present in various industrial bases. Below, we have identified reputable toy manufacturers and their locations to clarify where you can easily find a reliable supplier to import toys from China.
Chenghai, Shantou city, the center of toy manufacturing in China
With more than 16,410 toy factories and related suppliers, Chenghai is undoubtedly a major sourcing hub for a wide range of toy categories. You can find all kinds of toys there, from electronic toys, RC toys, car toys, plastic toys, educational toys to children’s toys, stick toys, girls’ toys, and kitchen toys.
The complete supply chain of toys, including toy design, mold manufacturing, material processing, printing and packaging, is also top class in China. 21.8% of all toys produced in China were made in Chenghai.
Dongguan, Guangdong, “The World’s Factory”
“Dongguan Traffic Jam, Global Shortage” is a famous saying used to highlight the importance of Dongguan in the global supply chain.
Naturally, Dongguan is also an important production base for a wide range of toys, accumulating years of experience and technology from Hong Kong toy manufacturers since the early 1980s.
The main toys exported from Dongguan are plush toys, teddy and soft toys, and most of the suppliers here accept OEM and ODM orders from overseas buyers.
The quality of Dongguan’s toys is the highest due to the use of cutting-edge technology and export-oriented strategy as an industrial power.
Yangzhou, “The Eastern Capital of Plush Toys”
Yangzhou is famous as a tourist city because it is close to Shanghai, but its production capacity of plush toys is one of the largest in China.
As one of the best industrial areas for the production of plush toys, the average price of these toys is slightly cheaper than that of Dongguan and Shantou in Guangdong Province.
However, some importers argue that the quality of Yangzhou’s toys is lower than that of Guangdong’s because they are more tailored to local needs.
Before placing an order, it is important to ensure that the Yangzhou toy supplier meets the quality and safety standards of the toys of the country of origin.
Other notable cities for toy importers to explore in China:
1) Qingdao, Shandong province (Plush toys)
2) Nanjing, Jiangsu province (Soft toys)
3) Yiwu, Zhejiang province (Small toys)
4) Lishui, Zhejiang province (Wooden toys)
5) Quanzhou, Fujian province (Baby toys)
6) Zhongshan, Guangdong province (Educational toys)
7) Guangzhou, Guangdong province (Electronic toys)
Check out our Toy Sourcing Guide to discover the best websites you can use to find China toy suppliers.
Popular Toys Categories to Source from China
There is a long list of very specific toy categories, but with consumer-based e-commerce stores like Amazon, you’ll see these featured toy categories.
In general, we would classify toys into bigger groups such as:
1) Educational & stem toys
2) Game toys
3) Puzzles
4) Wooden toys
5) Girl toys
6) Boy toys
7) Baby toys
8) Spring & summer toys
9) Kids play tents
10) Outdoor Toys
But, what are the top-selling toys in China??
We would like to recommend some quality toys from China under each category that you may want to resell in your country:
1) Plant Maze with thermometer and wind meter (Educational & stem toys)
This is a great toy for anyone interested in experimenting with nature, both young and old. Just plant a bean and watch it sprout and wind its way through the maze.
The container works as a great office desktop decoration/garden.
Encourage understanding of plant biology and interest in nature with this transparent planter.
2) Connect 4 strategy board game (Game Toys)
Connect 4 strategy board game for 6+ takes the popular game one step further with a more modern style and exciting ways to play.
Cool colors and new game choices keep you glued to the grid! The pop out feature lets you release a disc from the bottom row of the grid to change the sequence above.
3) 40 PCS wooden block puzzle (Puzzles)
Our wooden block puzzle adopts geometric patterns & bright colors, keeps children & parents busy for different options to play. Parents drop blocks randomly from top opening, kids make puzzles with blocks they get from corner. Ergonomic back support design, care for kid’s growth. Just like tetris without screen & time limit！
4) 24-hole wooden memory chess set (Wooden toys)
This wooden memory chess set is a great educational toys for kids. It can helpfullly improve kids’ thinking and memory ability through the game. Besides, it also helps improve baby’s three-dimensional imagination, color cognitive ability and stimulate the baby’s curiosity.
5) Doll (Girl toys)
Added diversity and more variety in looks and hairstyles provide infinitely more ways to spark imaginations and play out unlimited stories.
They can be girls’ friends. They can inspire young imaginations to explore their world!
6) 1:14 Inertia fire lift (Boy toys)
1:14 Inertia Fire Lift with Light & Music, included 7pcs different Road signs: Traffic lights, Cameras, etc. This is the inertial engineering vehicle series, with music and lights and road signs, simulation of the real situation, let the children enjoy the process of play. Boys can have a lot of fun with them!
7) ECO-freindly safety baby walker (Baby toys)
Baby push and pull toy allows baby’s first steps unforgettable and engaging. Toys to help baby walk with inspiring sounds attract your baby curiosity to keep going.
They’re safe, entertaining, and inspiring!
8) Inflatable tire swim tube (Spring & summer toys)
This inflatable tire swim tube is great for boys and girls to use in outdoor pools in summer. With it, kids can play and play on the water to their heart’s content.
Whether it’s a child who can swim or a child who can’t swim, this product is perfect for them!
9) Triangles cotton teepee toy tent (Kids play tents)
Our kids’ tepee tent is unique with tipi and small windows for added fun, ideal for children to play and relax.They can be setup either at home or outside and provide children with a feeling of privacy and personal space, while allowing parents to monitor them for their safety.
10) Basketball Play Set (Outdoor toys)
Developing the sporting skills of little kids from an early age is very beneficial for their development in the long run.
Basketball hoop for kids is perfect for training hand-eye coordination and spatial perception, and it’s also a great way to interact with one’s kids and practice your own slam dunk!
As you can see from above, you can source almost any kind of toy from China and there are many more interesting toy products to be discovered! — tell us about your requirements and we’ll help you find them!
Toy Defects and Quality Control
When it comes to import toys from China, product safety is of the utmost importance.
Defects and substances that are dangerous to children are simply unacceptable.
Due to the large number of toy manufacturers in China, it is necessary to carefully check the quality of the toys produced.
Types of toy defects:
Chemicals
Harmful chemicals such as lead can expose children to serious health problems. Hasty chemicals are found in chalk and painted toys.
Production and design problems
If small parts of the toy are not properly installed, they can easily come off and pose a risk of suffocation. Toys with strings and ribbons can accidentally strangle a child to death.
Lack of warning labels
Toy manufacturers are responsible for putting warning labels on their toys. Without warning labels, parents and children are not informed of the potential dangers when playing with toys, which can lead to serious safety problems.
Toy Quality Control & Compliance
Toys imported from China and other countries have their own standards. In China and other countries, certification is mandatory.
United States: The ASTM F963 toy safety standard
Astm F963 is a long-standing safety standard for toys in the United States.
1) Mechanical/Physical testing
2) Flammability testing
3) Chemical testing
4) Lead and phthalates test
5) Labeling test
Depending on the category of toys, imported products must meet these safety standards and be able to submit test reports.
Look for toy suppliers with test reports to eliminate out-of-specification products and reduce the cost of self-diagnosis.
European Union: EU Toy Safety Directive (EN 71)
1) EN 71-1: Mechanical and physical properties
2) EN 71-2: Flammability
3) EN 71-3: Specification for migration of certain elements
These three tests are just basic, and there are many other tests that assess the quality of toys. Toys sold in the EU are required to comply with EN71.
As an importer of toys, you have an obligation to ensure that your products comply with the EN 71 standard. Occasionally, a third-party test may be required.
It’s very difficult to do all of this yourself.
Consider hiring a purchasing agent to find the best toy supplier with good reference and test reports.
China Tariffs on Toys
Importantly, governments around the world are calling for higher tariffs on Chinese goods, especially in key categories such as toys.
As of 1 December 2021, 32 countries will end their tariffs on China, and only Norway, Australia and New Zealand will continue to provide China with GSP trade benefits.
The top five countries that import toys and impose tariffs on Chinese toys.
US
Due to the trade war between China and the United States, an average tariff of 15% of the value of products will be imposed from 2019.
EU
With a more complex tax system, the average tax on toys is 0-17%.
UK
Starting in 2021, the UK will introduce a new “UK global tariff”. The average tariff on toys imported from China is 0-5%.
Japan
The average is 2-5%, which is relatively low.
Canada
Taxes on toys range from 0 to 12%, depending on the category of toys.
Get Help Importing Toys From China
It’s challenging to import toys from China. From finding the right toy manufacturer to quality control, it is not easy without a professional buyer team on-site.
So if you have any questions, please leave comment below, we will offer helpful suggestions for you.
