Importing Children’s Toys into the USA: A Complete Guide

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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.

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.

For detailed classification criteria, refer to official documentation on the CPSC website.

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

The CPC must include:

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

Cargo Airfreight to the United States

Sea freight shipping to the USA

Sample CPC templates and detailed requirements are available on the CPSC website.

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

Additional information that may be required:

Package contents
Operating instructions
Hygiene or cleaning procedures
Safety warnings and precautionary labels

A full breakdown of labeling guidelines is provided on the CPSC website.

Customs and Tariffs

In most cases, children’s toys are duty-free when imported into the USA. However, it is strongly recommended to verify the applicable tariff rate with your customs broker or freight forwarder, as certain toys or materials may be subject to additional fees.

Final Preparation Steps

The process of importing children’s toys into the USA requires careful attention to detail — but with the right approach, it becomes much more manageable. G8toUS is here to help you organize the shipment of your products under the most favorable conditions.We offer full support at every stage — from regulatory consultation to final delivery of your goods to the USA.Partner with professionals to avoid costly mistakes and accelerate your entry into the American market!

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