How to Import Toys from China to the USA and EU

Importing toys from China requires coordination between the buyer or importer, supplier, testing laboratory, freight forwarder and customs broker. The exact requirements depend on the product, intended age, materials, functions, battery, destination and sales channel. A generic certificate or shipping estimate is not enough to approve an order.

This guide provides a practical preparation framework for the United States and European Union. It is general business information, not legal, customs or tax advice. Importers should confirm current requirements with the relevant regulator and qualified service providers for the exact product.

1. Identify the Exact Product and Intended User

Before discussing freight or documents, record the exact model, materials, functions, accessories, battery configuration, packaging, intended age grade and sales channel. A toy for children, a general-use promotional item and an electronic device may have different requirements even when they look similar.

Ask the supplier to identify the exact product version in the quotation, sample approval and test-document review. A report for a different color, material, battery or construction may not support the planned shipment.

2. Confirm Who Is the Importer of Record

The buyer should know which party is legally responsible for customs entry, product certification, importer details, labeling, record keeping and post-market obligations. Incoterms describe commercial delivery responsibilities, but they do not automatically transfer every regulatory responsibility.

Clarify the importer of record before selecting EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP, DDP or another shipping term. For DDP offers, verify who will make the customs entry, whose importer number will be used and how duties, taxes and compliance records will be handled.

3. United States: Product-Specific CPSC Review

For toys designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger, applicable U.S. children’s product rules generally require testing by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory and certification in a Children’s Product Certificate. The responsible domestic manufacturer or importer must identify the rules and sections that apply to the exact product.

The current CPSC-accepted toy standard is incorporated through 16 CFR part 1250. ASTM F963-23 applies to toys manufactured on or after April 20, 2024, but additional CPSC rules may also apply depending on materials, age grading and function.

Important 2026 update: beginning July 8, 2026, importers of regulated consumer products subject to CPSC certification requirements must electronically file certificate data with U.S. Customs and Border Protection through the CPSC eFiling system. Importers should prepare certificate data and customs workflows before shipment.

• CPSC Toy Safety guidance
• CPSC Children’s Product Certificate guidance
• CPSC eFiling information

4. European Union: CE Marking and Technical Documentation

Toys placed on the EU market must meet applicable toy-safety requirements and bear CE marking. The manufacturer must perform a safety assessment, follow the appropriate conformity-assessment route, prepare technical documentation and an EU Declaration of Conformity, provide traceability information, and include required warnings and instructions. The EU importer also has specific verification and record-keeping duties.

The new EU Toy Safety Regulation entered into force on January 1, 2026, with its main application date set for August 1, 2030. During the transition, importers should follow the currently applicable framework while preparing for future requirements such as the digital product passport. Confirm the applicable rules at the planned placing-on-market date.

• European Commission: placing toys on the EU market
• European Commission: new Toy Safety Regulation timeline

5. Review Test Reports and Certificates Against the Order

Do not accept a document based only on a CE logo, laboratory logo or product category name. Check:

• Report number, issue date and laboratory
• Exact tested product identification and photos
• Materials, colors, components, battery and age grade
• Standards and clauses tested
• Applicant, manufacturer and factory information
• Whether any planned change creates a material difference

The laboratory issues test reports; the legally responsible manufacturer or importer issues the applicable declaration or certificate. Fresh testing may be required when the existing report does not match the finished product.

6. Classify the Product Before Calculating Duties

Toys, games, promotional items, electronic devices and accessories do not all use the same tariff classification. The correct code depends on the product’s objective characteristics and legal tariff notes. Do not rely on a supplier’s generic HS code without review.

For the United States, check the current Harmonized Tariff Schedule published by the U.S. International Trade Commission. For the EU, use TARIC and confirm national VAT or other charges separately. Duty rates and trade measures can change and may depend on origin, classification and current trade policy.

• U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule
• EU TARIC

7. Prepare Commercial and Shipping Documents

The document set depends on the shipment and destination. Common documents may include:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of lading, sea waybill or air waybill
• Customs classification and country-of-origin information
• Applicable product certificates, declarations and test reports
• Battery transport documents when relevant
• Importer, traceability, warning and labeling information
• Insurance or inspection documents when agreed

Do not request a certificate of origin or preferential document by name until the customs broker confirms that it applies to the transaction and origin rules.

8. Choose Shipping Based on the Actual Cargo

Express courier, air freight, rail and sea freight differ in cost, transit time, minimum charges, dimensional-weight rules, battery acceptance and customs process. Rates change with route, season, fuel, capacity and cargo details, so fixed online estimates should not be treated as quotations.

Provide the forwarder with carton quantity, dimensions, gross weight, product description, battery information, pickup location, destination postal code and required arrival date. Ask whether the quote includes pickup, export clearance, destination fees, duties, taxes and final delivery.

9. Complete Pre-Shipment Approval

Before release, confirm:

• The bulk goods match the approved product and artwork
• Required labels, warnings, importer details and traceability are present
• Carton quantity, dimensions, weight and marks are correct
• Test and certificate data match the finished product
• The customs broker has the required entry information
• The selected carrier accepts the battery and cargo configuration
• Inspection and payment conditions have been satisfied

10. Import RFQ Checklist

• Exact product/SKU and intended age
• Quantity and packaging
• Destination country and postal code
• Sales channel and importer of record
• Required standards or buyer compliance specification
• Existing report review or new-testing request
• Battery and transport-document requirements
• Preferred Incoterm and required arrival date