Short answer: A first mixed 40HQ container works best when you split the space into 4–6 categories, order 1–5 cartons per style, and cap any single category at roughly 35% of volume. Plan by CBM first, then by pieces, then check MOQ per category. Final figures always depend on the quotation.
A mixed container lets a new importer test several product lines without committing a full container to one item. As a Chenghai-based trading company (founded 2018, amfori BSCI member), we load assortments from many small factories into one shipment. This guide gives you a planning template you can adapt before requesting a quote.
Chenghai factories are specialised: a plush maker rarely makes RC cars. Buying from each separately means several shipments, several freight bills and several sets of paperwork. A trading company consolidates them at our warehouse so you pay for one FOB Shantou or Shenzhen shipment. The trade-off is that every category carries its own MOQ, so the plan must respect each one. See our trading company vs factory vs sourcing agent comparison for how consolidation works.
MOQ is usually 1–5 cartons per style, but the piece count differs by product type. Typical ranges (confirmed per quote):
| Category | Typical MOQ per style | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Battery-operated (B/O) toys | 120–360 pcs | Check battery and EN 62115 requirements if relevant |
| Vinyl dolls | 180–500 pcs | Phthalate-related testing by destination |
| Plush | 300–600 pcs | Bulky: high CBM per piece |
| Inflatables | 500–1,000 pcs | Light and compact when deflated |
Browse live ranges in our dolls and plush, pretend play and RC vehicle categories to see which styles fit each row.
A 40HQ offers roughly 65–68 CBM of practical loading space; ask us for the exact figure for your mix. Plush and large dolls eat volume quickly, while small pretend-play sets and squishies are dense. A balanced first-order template looks like this:
| Slot | Share of CBM | Role in the mix |
|---|---|---|
| Core seller (e.g. dolls or plush) | 25–35% | Volume driver, higher shelf presence |
| Fast-turn small items (squishy, crafts) | 15–25% | Impulse buys, fills gaps between large cartons |
| Action toys (B/O, RC) | 20–25% | Higher price point, needs testing |
| Seasonal or outdoor | 10–20% | Match your selling calendar |
| Test styles | 5–10% | Low-risk trial of new lines |
Our CBM and container loading guide explains how carton size converts to container space.
Lead time for production is typically 25–45 days, plus sea freight and customs. Work backwards from the date goods must be on your shelves. Our wholesale toy buying calendar shows when to place orders for summer, back-to-school and year-end peaks. Summer lines such as outdoor toys need the earliest booking.
Samples normally take 3–7 days. Approve colour, packaging and function before bulk production starts. Request one sample per style you plan to order in volume, and note any packaging changes in writing.
Each category may need different tests: EN71 for the EU, ASTM F963 and CPC for the US, UKCA for Great Britain, INMETRO for Brazil, NOM for Mexico. Arrange tests per destination before shipping, not after. Read toy safety certification by country and the full how to import toys from China guide for the document checklist.
Ordering too many styles at the minimum MOQ so no line has depth; ignoring carton size and wasting CBM; mixing categories that need different test reports without budgeting for them; and forgetting that packaging changes extend lead time. A tighter assortment with 2–3 cartons of proven styles usually outperforms a sprawling one.
Send your destination port, target ship date, rough budget, the categories you want and any styles you have already shortlisted. We reply with a quotation within one working day, showing MOQ, CBM and estimated loading for each line. All figures are indicative until confirmed in the quote.
Yes. As a trading company we consolidate goods from several Chenghai factories into one shipment, as long as each style meets its MOQ.
MOQ is usually 1–5 cartons per style. There is no fixed total beyond what it takes to fill your chosen container; confirm in your quotation.
Samples take 3–7 days and production is typically 25–45 days, before sea freight from Shantou or Shenzhen.
Not necessarily. If budget is tight, ask about a smaller consolidated shipment first, then scale up once your best sellers are proven.
Ready to plan your assortment? Request a quote and tell us your categories and ship date.
Ready to quote a container? See mixed container toy wholesale.