Straight answers to the questions wholesale toy buyers ask most. Figures reflect typical practice in the Chenghai (Shantou, China) toy trade in 2026.
Usually one carton per SKU at trading level (often 36–144 pieces depending on size), and 300–1,000+ pieces for factory-direct orders. Mixed-SKU cartons are sometimes possible for trial orders — ask.
25–40 days after deposit for standard lines; longer before Christmas production peaks (July–September). Stock items can ship in days.
CBM = cubic meters, the volume of one export carton (L×W×H in meters). Sea freight is charged by volume, so freight per unit = freight per CBM × carton CBM ÷ units per carton. A 20ft container holds ~28 CBM; a 40ft HQ ~68 CBM.
Landed cost ≈ FOB price + per-unit freight + import duty/taxes + testing/inspection amortized over the order. Example: a $2.00 FOB toy with $0.25 freight and 17.5% US tariff lands around $2.60 before local costs.
30% T/T deposit, 70% against B/L copy is the norm. Letters of credit are used for large orders. Be wary of suppliers demanding 100% upfront.
Depends on your market: ASTM F963-23 + CPC (USA), CE/EN 71 (EU), CE under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 (UK), INMETRO (Brazil), NOM (Mexico). Ask for existing test reports and full material specs before ordering.
Yes — samples are normally free or at cost; you pay courier. Sample-to-order is the standard workflow for new suppliers.
Factories offer lower prices on their own molds but narrow ranges and higher MOQs. Trading suppliers consolidate many workshops: wider selection, lower MOQ per SKU, one shipment — usually the better fit for mixed-container buyers.
Have a question we didn’t cover? LeTin Toys (Chenghai, China) answers buyer inquiries within 24 hours — use the Send Inquiry form on any product page.