Toys are one of the most popular products imported from China. Not surprisingly, toys are always in demand; They’re lightweight, don’t take up much space in a container, and selling them can be profitable. Importing toys from China into the EU is very popular, as China is the world’s largest manufacturer and prices are very low. Whether you plan to import simple plush toys or children’s drones, many manufacturers of each type of toy are located in China.
Toy production areas in China
Most of the toys are manufactured in Guangdong province, more specifically Shantou city, as well as Dongguan, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. The largest number of toy manufacturers is concentrated in Chenghai, a district of Shantou, where these manufacturers account for more than half of all companies in the region. When it comes to the toy industry, Guangdong Province mainly produces:
Plastic toys,
Electronic toys,
Toys for young children.
There are also many toy manufacturers in production regions such as Jiangsu, Shandong, and Zhejiang. The cities of Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province and Qingdao in Shandong Province are the manufacturing centers for:
dolls
Stuffed toys.
Zhejiang province, especially Wenzhou and Yiwu cities, is the base of many manufacturers of:
Outdoor toys,
Playgrounds,
Yo-yos,
Balls.
What should you pay attention to when importing toys from China?
When importing toys from China to the EU, you need to consider certain aspects and decide whether a certain product is the one you want to base your import business on. You should pay attention to the following problems:
Types of duties on imports of toys from China,
Required certifications (CE, RoHS),
Required licenses (for brand name toys).
When importing any merchandise from China, it is necessary to check the customs duty and be prepared to pay the necessary fees. In this sense, the Integrated Tariff of the European Communities (TARIC) managed by the General Directorate of Taxation and Customs Union can be of great help. The use of the system is free.
Import of toys from China: how to check the duty tariff?
To check the type of entitlement for a particular product, you need to know its HS code. With the HS code, you can identify what type of duty applies to a certain product, in this case a certain type of toy.
It is important to remember that some products may be subject to different types of duties. The TARIC system may not be the easiest tool to use at first, but every importer should familiarize himself with it and learn how to use it.
China’s toy duty rates
Fortunately, the tariff rates on imported toys from China are at most a small percentage and, in many cases, zero percent. However, each product must be checked separately. Here are some types of duties on toys from China along with the HS code:
9503 00 81 90 – toy weapons – 0%
9504 50 00 00 – video game consoles and machines – 0%
9503 00 95 90 – plastic toys – 4.7%
9503 00 10 00 – Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar toys with wheels; doll carts – 0%
9503 00 49 90 – toys representing animals or non-human creatures – 0%
9503 00 61 90 – wooden puzzles – 0%
9503 00 21 90 – dolls that represent only human beings – 4.7%
9503 00 75 90 – Other toys and plastic models with built-in motor – 4.7%
Importing toys from China to the EU: requirements
Every importer must ensure that imported products meet all the requirements for distribution in the European Union. It is essential to place the necessary marks on the product, as well as to obtain all the mandatory documents or certificates.
Toy Safety Directive
According to the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48 / EC, a toy is defined as an object used in play by a child under 14 years of age. All toys under this definition require the CE mark. Therefore, they must comply with all the relevant requirements contained in the New Approach Directives, which are a set of standards introduced by the EU. On this basis, the goods are inspected and evaluated in terms of quality and safety. All toys are subject to the requirements and obligations contained in the Toy Safety Directive.
All toys must comply with the relevant harmonized standards. Depending on the product design and the corresponding age group, you will need to consider a different Harmonized Standard. The conformity assessment is carried out in accordance with the corresponding standard, which allows the issuance of a CE Certificate of Conformity and a CE Declaration of Conformity. Having these documents allows you to put the CE mark on the product.
A toy importer must also ensure that the toy’s label, packaging, or manual contains the appropriate warnings. You must also specify the name or trademark and address of the manufacturer, as well as the model or lot number of the toy. It is the responsibility of the importer to have the technical documentation of the toy.
Other directives for toys
In addition to the Toy Safety Directive, some toys may also be subject to more directives and require various documents. Two examples of these products are electronic or battery-powered toys. In such cases, for the toy to be CE marked, it will also be necessary to demonstrate compliance with directives such as RoHS, LVD and EMC.
Toy Fairs and Exhibitions in China
If you want to expand your business, the best way to do that is to visit trade shows in China. This will allow you to personally meet representatives of some well-known companies and check the quality of their products. These events allow you to find a potential business partner and broaden the horizons of your company. We have compiled information on several toy industry fairs that are worth visiting:
Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair
Canton Fair
Infant Maternity Exhibition for Babies
Asian Toys & Baby Products Show
Import of toys from China to the EU – overview
Importing toys, beneficial as it may seem, carries many responsibilities. Since the toys are intended for children, they must meet many requirements related to the safety of use. Therefore, importers should familiarize themselves with all directives that apply to their products, ensure that there is applicable labeling, and provide complete documentation.
Also, it is important to note that it is necessary to have a license to import some toys. Such a situation occurs when you import products with a registered trademark, for example, toys from famous brands (such as Disney). An importer without a license for such products will be fined and will not be able to clear customs.