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Bringing children’s toys into the USA requires strict compliance with established safety standards. Entrepreneurs often ask: What documents are needed? How do you properly certify the product? What are the labeling requirements? This guide covers the essential steps to prepare your toys for successful import into the U.S. market.
Sample CPC templates and detailed requirements are available on the CPSC website.
What Is Considered a Toy?
The first step is determining whether your product qualifies as a “toy.” According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), a toy is defined as a product designed for children under 12 years of age. Several factors are considered when classifying a product as a toy:- Manufacturer’s intent: If the product is labeled or marketed as a toy, it falls under this category.
- Age grading: Labels indicating the product is intended for children under 12.
- Consumer perception: Whether the product is perceived by buyers as intended for children.
- CPSC Age Determination Guidelines: A formal reference used to define age-appropriate product categories and corresponding safety testing requirements.
Product Certification: Obtaining a CPC
To legally import children’s toys into the USA, you must provide a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) — a document that confirms your product complies with applicable U.S. safety standards. A CPC is issued after laboratory testing by a CPSC-accredited third-party lab. What is tested?- Presence of hazardous substances (e.g., lead, phthalates)
- Structural integrity, durability, and mechanical safety
- Product name and description
- Date and place of manufacture
- Applicable safety standards
- Contact information for the importer and manufacturer
- Name and contact details of the testing laboratory
- Date and location of testing
Toy Labeling Requirements
Each imported children’s toy must have a permanent label (tag or printed information) containing:- Product name
- Country of origin (e.g., Made in China, Made in Ukraine)
- Date of manufacture
- Trademark or brand name (if applicable)
- Manufacturer and importer contact information
- Recommended age group (e.g., 3+, 6–12 years)
- Material composition (especially important for toys intended for children under 3)
- Expiration date (if applicable)
- Storage and care instructions
- Package contents
- Operating instructions
- Hygiene or cleaning procedures
- Safety warnings and precautionary labels