How to import toys from China

Most entrepreneurs, including Chinese suppliers, tend to avoid taking part in the toy import and supply business because, among these, there are many product categories and finding the right one to sell can be very difficult.
In addition, several countries have many rules governing the importation of toyswhich makes the import process difficult or delayed.
However, importing toys, especially from China, is not as difficult as many people think. In this article, we will focus on how to import toys from China and how to identify good quality suppliers.

Why import toys from China?
The toy market is always updating and there is a trend of growth. But if you are wondering why import toys from China and not elsewhere, you may be at a crossroads.
Quality is one of the most important factors when importing toys from China. Far from what is believed, this country is one of the largest exporters of toys, therefore, there is a great variety.
Even a large percentage of companies in the industry choose to buy Chinese toys because they find all the unimaginable categories. Moreover, importers can find many toy factories in China to choose from.

Type of toys to be imported
There are many different types of toys manufactured in China and many different consumer trends. You need to find out what you want to import, whether it is toy figurines, classic toys, baby toys, etc. Just like for any other business, you should do some preliminary work and find out which toys are in demand in the market.
Every year there is usually a best-selling toy. For example, in 2013-14 it was the rubber bands for making bracelets; in 2014-15, self-balancing skateboards or "hoverboards," and in 2017-18, spinners and finger monkeys.

If you can identify a potential hot toy and import it before your competitors, you will make a big difference.
1.dentification of real and quality suppliers
Research
Use reliable platforms such as Alibaba to search for Chinese suppliers, as this site includes many toy suppliers. Be aware of your location. Those suppliers located in a region where there are few suppliers could be middlemen and may not give you the best deals.
Please note that most of the online suppliers are toy trading companies, as the toy factories in China are not very large. Also, most of the orders they receive are from trading companies.
However, some factories have set up stores on e-commerce sites such as Alibaba and DHGate, but they rarely receive orders from overseas buyers. Reputable toy factories can also often be found at toy fairs, such as the Global Sources fair and the Canton Fair.

2.Selection of the right supplier
Depending on price and quality, select several specific companies. Study their products to see if they specialize only in toys or if they offer other products as well. It is best to have a company that specializes only in toy manufacturing.
Take a look at the product description. Reputable companies will have professional product descriptions, while the rest of the companies will have fancy product descriptions or simply no product descriptions at all.

3. Communication with potential suppliers
Real suppliers are always ready to provide potential customers with all the information about their toys. They are ready to answer questions and explain the characteristics of toys. Foreign customers should ask enough questions to suppliers to determine whether they are dealing with professionals.
Comparing the quality and price of toys from various companies can help buyers identify the best supplier. Buyers can even go a step further and order some samples to confirm the quality of the products before purchasing the toys in bulk.
Problems that may arise when importing toys
Since a high percentage of toys are manufactured for children, most countries apply stringent requirements and safety standards to toys. Buyers will also have to deal with customs formalities before they can take the products to their various countries. Other problems

associated with importing toys include:
1. Security issues and certifications
The certifications and safety standards that imported toys must meet vary from country to country. In Europe, toys must pass three checks:
ASTM F963 TestsFlammability tests, chemical tests and physical tests.
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) (CPSIA).
Lead and phthalate testing and labeling verification, and CE certificate.

2. Design violation problems
Toy factories that print famous animation characters on their products must obtain authorization from the corresponding animation company. Otherwise, their product will be fraudulently using the company's design.
All toys are inspected by Chinese customs and foreign customs, and those that are not authorized are destroyed. Even if they pass customs inspection, importers of toys may face the same problem from the authorities if they are found to be selling unauthorized products.
It is therefore advisable to check whether the supplier has such authorization; if not, importers should look for other suppliers so as not to risk incurring serious legal problems.

Written by Luis