As we all know, China occupies more than 90% of the global toy production market. Every year, a large number of buyers import toys from China to their own countries for wholesale or retail.
Most of them are very powerful large importers. But you rarely see some small and medium-sized entrepreneurs or individual buyers.
I learned from my customers and some suppliers in China that they generally don’t like to be in the toy business because there are so many products and they don’t know what to sell.
Another reason is that many countries have many regulations on imported toys, which is sure to cause a lot of trouble in the process.
In fact, importing toys from China is still a good business, as long as you have some knowledge about the wholesale toy markets in China, the necessary import documents, the types of toys in China, etc.
Knowing China Toy Clusters to Help Your Wholesale Toys Business
You can find many toy manufacturers around China’s toy cluster. These manufacturers are responsible for 90% of China’s toy production.
Whether you’re looking for resources through Alibaba’s online search provider or China’s wholesale markets, make sure to keep your eyes on the following four Toy clusters in China.
Shantou City in Guangdong Province
Shantou has a lot of toy resources. Chenghai district is particularly famous. If you want to be in the toy wholesale business, you will love this place. Here you can see toys everywhere, even the air is filled with the “smell” of toys.
As the toy capital of China, Chenghai has a wide variety of toys, including plastic, electronic, and high-tech toys.
This is the largest toy cluster in China. Here lies a highly complete and efficient manufacturing chain of toys.
Chinese toy manufacturers can easily obtain raw materials for toy production here. This is undoubtedly a great help to production.
Yiwu City in Zhejiang Province
The world’s largest small commodity wholesale market is located in Yiwu. Manufacturers in Yiwu focus on a variety of low-cost small toys, handicrafts-based.
Many Chinese toy factories have set up shops in Yiwu’s largest wholesale market, the International Trade City. They are not all Yiwu manufacturers but may come from other toy clusters.
So here you can easily contact manufacturers from all over China.
Yangzhou City in Jiangsu Province & Qingdao City in Shangdong Province
These two areas focus on plush and stuffed toys.
Compared with other regions, plush and plush toy factories here have a larger scale and manufacturing capacity.
For those who want to import plush toys, the plush toy wholesale markets in Yangzhou and Qingdao are the best choices.
Wenzhou City in Zhejiang Province
Qiaoxia town is located in the northwest of Wenzhou. The manufacturers here mainly produce large children’s playgrounds and educational DIY toys for children.
If you are an importer of children’s playground products, you can definitely not miss out on this toy cluster.
If you want to visit the manufacturer of these toys, I suggest you prepare a visit plan in advance. You can do this.
Find suitable toy manufacturers on Alibaba or Made in China and put their information (mainly contact person, mobile phone, address) into a sheet.
Choose an appropriate route to visit by analyzing the location of the manufacturer and what you learned about the manufacturer online.
Finally, you can follow your visit route to communicate directly with the head of the manufacturer.
If you don’t want to spend so much time planning, I suggest you go directly to the wholesale market in the toy cluster.
There are usually local wholesale markets within these toy clusters. Many manufacturers choose to set up shops in these wholesale markets so that they can have more opportunities to contact buyers. Buyers can also find manufacturers more easily.
What Kinds of Toys Can You Wholesale from China?
| Toy Category | Toy Scope | China Toy Clusters |
|---|---|---|
| Remote control toys | RC Helicopter, Cars, Boats, Quadrocopter | Chenghai, Shenzhen |
| Diecasts & Toy Vehicles | Cars, Trucks, Car Models | Chenghai |
| Toy Figures | Lego Toys, Animation Figures | Chenghai |
| Doll& Stuffed Toys | Toy animals, Puppets, Mascot, Costume | Mainly in Yangzhou and Qingdao, but there are also some in Yiwu, Shenzhen, and other cities |
| Classic Toys | Yoyo, Balloon, Balls, Kaleidoscope | Chenghai, Yiwu, and other cities depend on products. |
| Learning & Education Toys | Toy Musical Instrument | Yunhe(Zhejiang Province) for wood made toys |
| Outdoor & Playground Toys | Kid’s Slide, Seesaw | Yongjia (a small town of Wenzhou), the capital of playground toys in China |
| Models & Building Toys | Building Blocks, 3D Metal Blocks | Chenghai, Yiwu |
| Baby Toys | Baby Rattles, Baby Walker | No specified cities, but mainly in Zhejiang and Guangdong Province. |
| Puzzles & DIY Toys | Puzzles, Magic Cube, DIY Beading Kits | High-quality Puzzles are mainly produced in Chenghai. DIY craft toys are mainly produced in Yiwu. |
Why Are Made-in-China Toys Popular in the World?
Product Mix Variety
As you can see in Cheaper 2, Chinese toys cover a wide range of categories.
You can easily find all kinds of toys in China, including fidget spinners on your hand and room-sized amusement rides.
Reasonable Price
More Trending Products
Chinese toy suppliers can always explore the current trending products at the fastest speed, and quickly produce such products for importers to purchase.
Every year, such a hot toy appears on people’s horizons, and then reaches the searched peak in a very short time.
If you want to know about these toys before these mountains and wholesale them from China. I think your business is going to be great.
How Do You Wholesale Toys from China?
We can divide the whole wholesale toy process into 6 steps simply.
- Choose the toys you need
- Find the right manufacturer
- Collect toy samples to test the quality
- Make procurement contracts
- Contact forwarder to transport the goods to the warehouse
- Check the quantity and quality of goods
Choose the toys you need
You can usually find the right toy products on Amazon’s Best Seller or some other data analysis tools, such as Jungle Scout.
Through the analysis of the data to find the right toy products.
However, I find many sellers are used to looking for Trending Toy products on social media, usually Facebook or Instagram.
But in recent years, due to the popularity of TikTok, more and more people began to discover Trending Toy products on TikTok.
When you see a lot of people sharing videos of the same toy, you should see a huge demand for it.
Find the right manufacturer
You can find thousands of toy suppliers on Wholesale websites in China. The preferred candidate is Alibaba.com and Made in China.
If your volume is too small to meet a wholesale site provider’s minimum order quantity, aks MOQ, you can go to a small wholesale site like Aliexpress or Dhgate.
Here, you can even buy just one. So you can just ignore the concept of MOQ.
The biggest drawback of buying toys through wholesale websites is that it’s hard to really know the qualifications of the suppliers.
Are they real factories or professional traders, or grocers who make everything?
If you want to solve this problem well, you can come to China directly, visit the suppliers you have contacted and visit their production areas.
Coming to China means you have more manufacturer sources to choose from. You can go to China’s professional toy wholesale markets or exhibitions to find a lot of suppliers.
Of course, it takes a lot of time and energy to come to China to find manufacturers, especially during COVID-19, it is not easy to travel to China.
So you can try some China sourcing agent services from China sourcing agency to solve this problem.
With this service, your sourcing agent can help you select suitable suppliers in China, avoid quality problems and fraud.
At the same time, you don’t need to come to China. You only need to contact your sourcing agent directly for all the businesses in China. They can help you deal with all kinds of problems.
All you have to do is submit the free sourcing RFQ and get in contact with a professional sourcing agent.
Collect toy samples to test the quality
It is always advisable to collect samples from suppliers for quality checking before making a formal purchase order.
Collecting a sample from a supplier is an easy task. But when you have more than 20+ suppliers, this job becomes very difficult, especially because of the time difference and the language barrier.
If you are facing such problems, you can try the sourcing agent services in China. They can help you connect with multiple suppliers.
When you need to receive samples from multiple suppliers, your sourcing agent can help you check the quality of samples and consolidate them into one shipment to save the shipping cost.
Make procurement contracts
It is very simple to draw up a purchase contract. If you are drafting the contract online, just be sure to include your requirements in the contract. The following points need to be checked carefully:
- Name and quantity of the product
- Customized services
- Supplier information
- Receiving information
- Terms of payment
- Payment terms
If you are drafting the contract offline, this is usually a formal purchase contract or proforma invoice.
Since the templates for these documents are provided directly by the supplier, you should check the above information carefully. In addition to the points mentioned above, you should also pay attention to the following points:
- Supplier information on the invoice
- Price validity
- Supplier’s bank information
- Some special add-ons
Contact forwarder to transport the goods to the warehouse
Generally speaking, your supplier will be able to deliver your goods directly to the destination port or airport. There are also direct door-to-door services.
However, when you have a large quantity, the trade terms are usually EXW or FOB, which means your supplier can only deliver the goods at the factory or the Chinese port, so you need to find your own shipping agents.
You can directly Google “shipping from China to + your destination”, and you will find a lot of forwarder information.
After making sure someone can get your product to the warehouse at your destination, all you need to do is wait.
Check the quantity and quality of goods
After receiving the goods, check the quantity and quality of the goods in time to ensure that there is no damage.
If there is damage, take pictures of the damaged goods and share them with your supplier to negotiate an appropriate solution.
Essential Documents for Importing Toys from China
In addition to the different product certificates, there are many customs documents necessary to successfully ship the product.
Of course, the required documentation varies from country to country.
However, most shipments have some common documentation. Here, I list some for you:
- Commercial Invoice
- Bill of Lading
- Packing List
- Sales Contract
- Insurance Policy
- Proforma Invoice
- Certificate of Origin
- Customs Declaration Form
- Inspection Certificate
Attention! How to Avoid Mines when You Import Toys from China
Based on my experience importing toys from China, I have summarized the following 5 things you must pay attention to when importing toys from China.
- Toy Safety Regulations and Certificates
- Inspection Required by China Customs
- IP & Design Infringement
- Shipping Toys from China
- Import Taxes for Toys
Toy Safety Regulations and Certificates
Different countries have different laws on toys. Generally, the United States and the European Union have the following legal requirements for toy products:
The United States Toy Safety Regulations
- The first three tests of ASTM F963: Mechanical/Physical Testing, Flammability testing, and Chemical testing.
- The other one is CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act): lead and phthalates test, and labeling test.
European Union Toy Safety Regulations
- Toys exported to Europe have to pass Toy Safety Directive (EN 71 — 1,2,3) and have a CE mark.
Any toys you import from China must pass these regulations. So you have to have a test report that meets those requirements.
When your quantity is small, it’s expensive to do these tests. The best solution is to find suppliers who already have such test reports. when you are looking for suppliers.
If the supplier already has the test report, you don’t have to do it yourself, which can save you a lot of money.
Here I need to remind you that there are many testing institutions in China that can do testing reports. But internationally recognized are SGS, ITS, TUV, and other organizations.
So when you receive the supplier’s testing report, please check whether the testing institution reported is one of these well-known institutions.
Also, if you are the one doing the tests yourself, it is highly recommended that cooperate with these reputable agencies to prevent your test reports from being approved by customs.
Inspection Required by China Customs
Toys exported from China have to be inspected by Chinese customs. When applying for export toy inspection, you need to fill in the exit goods declaration form and submit other documents required by China Customs, of course, you can also ask your supplier or purchasing agent to handle it for you.
When applying for inspection, a product quality and safety compliance statement is also required. According to the requirements announced by China Customs, the first inspection also requires a toy laboratory test report.
IP & Design Infringement
In China, you can often see infringing toys, which are often copied from well-known cartoon characters, such as Marvel and Disney.
If you want to import toys from China, you have to be very careful with your product design. Otherwise, even if you successfully ship the toy to your country, you may be accused of design infringement, which could cause huge losses to your business.
Shipping Toys from China
Shipping is one of the key parts of your import process. You have to pay attention to a lot of details. First, when you request a quote from a freight forwarder or supplier, you must select the correct Incoterm.
The most commonly used Incoterm in China is EXW, FOB, CIF, DDU, and DDP. These terms mainly describe the transportation and insurance cost from the factory to the port or from the factory to the gate of the destination warehouse.
Secondly, choosing the right shipping way according to the goods can also effectively reduce the transportation cost.
- If your order quantity is small, you can try international express.
- If your toy is small but of relatively high value, you can consider air freight.
- If you buy more than 2 cubic meters of toys, you can choose to ship (LCL or FCL)
Import Taxes for Toys
When you import toys from China, you should check the tariff and calculate it in your cost.
Import duties vary by type of toy and country of origin. Before looking at tax rates, you should know the HS code for certain products.
If you want to calculate the tariff rate for importing toys into the United States, you can search the HS code on the United States Uniform Tariff Schedule (USITC).
According to the USITC, the HS code for toys is 9503.00.00. By and large, U.S. tariffs on toys are currently free.
Top 10 China Wholesale Toys Markets Where You Can Import Toys
#1 Yiwu International Trading Market (District 1)
Without a doubt, This is the largest distribution center of small commodities. Many toy Factories in China have set their store there.
Yiwu’s toy wholesale is concentrated on the first floor of the wholesale market, where about 2,000 toy suppliers, including middlemen and manufacturers, are located. And the toy categories mainly include classic toys, electric toys, inflatable toys, plush toys, wooden crafts, etc.
Walking through the Yiwu toy wholesale market, you can see some of the most popular toys in the past, including balance scooters, fidget spinners, and the Last Mouse Lost.
Maybe it is your turn to come to Yiwu toy Wholesale market and find the next trending toy.
Toys are cheap at the Yiwu wholesale market, making it profitable enough to make importing toys from China a real business.
Because the wholesale price of toys is very low, suppliers in the Yiwu toy wholesale market have requirements for MOQ. Generally speaking, the minimum order quantity here is a CTN. According to our experience, the customers who come to the Yiwu toy wholesale market to find goods will prepare the quantity of 5-10CTN.
#2 Shantou Chenghai Toys Market
Shantou Chenghai Toys Wholesale market is located in Shantou City, Guangdong Province. It has the largest cluster of plastic toy manufacturer sources in China.
There are more than 8,000 suppliers of plastic toys in the region. The Shantou factory is relatively more specialized because of its long production history.
Compared with Yiwu, the Shantou toy market usually has higher prices, higher quality, so their MOQ is relatively high. Generally speaking, the minimum order quantity here is 3-5 cartons.
Since this market is organized by toy manufacturers, the suppliers here are direct manufacturers. Customers who buy through this market are actually buying directly from the factory, eliminating the middleman (the trader).
In addition, Chenghai toy manufacturers have a very strong toy development capacity and can continue to meet the needs of toy buyers.
If you need to develop new toys, you can contact them, but only if you get a non-disclosure agreement to ensure that your product design is not leaked.
#3 Lingyi Yongxing China Toys Market
Lingyi Yongxing toy wholesale market is located in Lingyi City, Shandong Province, which is the largest toy wholesale market in North China.
This is a huge market with an annual output value that exceeds even Yiwu toy market. Not only for the domestic market but also in the international toy market has a large share.
This huge market mainly includes two markets, the largest of which is the “Yongxing Toy market”. 4,000 toy wholesale suppliers are located in zone A, B, and C.
- Area A — Electronic toys, children’s bicycles, inflatable toys
- Area B — Plastic toys
- Area C — Plush Toys (Plush toys)
You can find a wide variety of electric toys, ride cars, inflatable toys, plush toys, and educational toys.
#4 Yangjiang Wutinglong International Toys & Gift City
Wutinglong International toys & gifts market is located in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. This is a paradise for buyers looking for plush toys.
The market has about 3,000 plush toy stores. You can even buy one from the seller as there is no minimum order quantity. Of course, the price will be a little higher than the wholesale price.
Plus, for experienced buyers, you can find the manufacturer of the plush toy directly here. If you have enough time, they can take you straight to their production area.
#5 Baigou Plush Toys Wholesale Market
Baigou plush toys wholesale market is located in Baoding Town, Hebei Province. Similar to Wutinglong toy market, the Baigou toy market is also based on plush toy production.
Toy prices are relatively low because of lower quality standards. Of course, if you can accept a higher price, you can ask for higher quality.
The market covers 20,000 square meters and has 380 suppliers willing to sell high-quality and affordable plush toys. With a little effort, you may be able to find some good quality plush toys too. Daily turnover is about $130,000. Usually, they sell wholesale, but they also accept retail here.
In addition, it is worth mentioning that the factory in Baigou is gradually standardizing and preparing for future export growth.
#6 Yunhe Wooden Toys Wholesale Market
Yunhe Wooden toy wholesale market is located in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province.
Yunhe, best known for its Chinese wooden toy eiderdown, currently accounts for 60% of China’s wooden toy exports. Obviously, this is a great place for buyers who like wooden toys and need direct factory sources.
In fact, it’s not a market, it’s just a manufacturer’s base. Their sales departments are often set up in the Yiwu toy wholesale market or other large Chinese toy wholesale market
#7 Zhengzhou Toys Wholesale Market
Zhengzhou Toy Wholesale market is located in Zhengzhou, Henan Province.
Compared with other toy markets, it is small and has fewer suppliers, with about 100 stores. In addition, the minimum order quantity here is low, the price and quality are also lower.
#8 Guangzhou Toys Wholesale Market
Guangzhou Toy Wholesale market is located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province.
The famous Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou, the Spring Fair, and the autumn Fair.
Like Shantou, Guangzhou has a large cluster of suppliers of plastic toys. Thousands of factories make it one of the most prosperous cities in China. There are basically 4 major toy markets in Guangzhou:
- Wanling Plaza Guangzhou
- International Yide Stationery & Toys Plaza Guangzhou
- Zhonggang Boutique Toys Wholesales Market Guangzhou
- Liwan Toys Wholesale Market
#9 Chengdu Toys Wholesale Market
Chengdu has always been the commercial center of southwest China.
After years of development, the scale of the Chengdu toy wholesale market is mainly concentrated in the lotus pond business circle near the railway station, including the new Hongzheng Square, Lotus Golden Pond market, north toy market, etc.
Among them, lotus pond Hongzheng Square is the most concentrated toy wholesale market in the lotus pond business circle, bringing together more than one hundred toy merchants.
#10 Changsha Gaoqiao Toys Wholesale Market
After more than ten years of development, Changsha Gaoqiao Toy Wholesale Market has become the largest state-level comprehensive wholesale market in central and southern China and the fourth largest market in China.
Changsha toy wholesale business is now mainly concentrated in two markets, which are Gaoqiao toy city and Gaoqiao Huoyan Wenti trade city.
The toy wholesale of Gaoqiao Toy City is concentrated on the second floor and the fourth floor and the two floors have attracted nearly 100 toy businesses to enter, and many toy brands, large and small, are concentrated.
Gaoqiao Huoyan Wenti trade city concentrated 20 to 30 quite large toy businesses, they are given priority by the trend of toys. You can find the latest popular toys here.
1 thought on “How to Import Toys from China? Full Guide for Wholesale Toys Business”
Touche. Sound arguments. Keep up the amazing spirit.