Short answer: Choose polybags for the lowest cost and fastest turnaround, blister cards for peg-hook retail, window boxes for gift-ready shelf appeal, and display boxes for impulse counters. Packaging changes carton size, CBM, MOQ and lead time, so lock it before you request a final quote.
Packaging is the part of a toy order buyers most often leave until last, and it quietly changes the whole deal. The same doll can ship in a polybag, a window box or a blister, and each choice alters how many pieces fit in a master carton, how many cartons fit in a 40HQ, and how long production takes. This guide compares the four formats we see most from Chenghai suppliers so you can decide early. LeTin Toys is a Shantou-based trading company (founded 2018, amfori BSCI member), so we compare options across several factories rather than pushing one format.
| Format | Best for | Shelf appeal | Carton efficiency | Extra lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polybag with header card | Small B/O toys, squishies, party items | Basic | Excellent | Minimal |
| Blister card | Small figures, pocket toys, peg-hook displays | Good | Good | Moderate (tooling and printing) |
| Window box | Dolls, pretend-play sets, RC cars, gift items | High | Fair to poor (bulky) | Moderate to long (printing, die-cut) |
| Display box (PDQ) | Counter impulse buys, mixed small items | High for impulse | Fair | Moderate to long |
Exact costs depend on size, print colours and quantity, so all packaging pricing is quoted per item and confirmed in your quotation.
A polybag with a printed header card is the default for low-price toys. It adds almost no volume, so carton counts stay high, which matters when you are filling a container. It is a good fit for items from our squishy toys and small novelty ranges. The trade-off is perceived value: a polybag reads as a budget item on a retail shelf. For carnival, party and discount-store channels that is usually fine. Always check that the bag carries the required suffocation warning and that opening sizes comply with the destination rules.
A clear plastic blister sealed to a printed card keeps small parts visible and tamper-resistant. It suits peg-hook walls and works well for small figures and accessories. Expect a short extra step for blister tooling if the product shape is new, plus artwork approval for the card. Stock blisters can sometimes be used to save time, so ask which sizes exist before assuming custom tooling.
A printed carton with a clear window lets the product sell itself. This is the common format for items in dolls and plush, pretend play sets and RC vehicles. Boxes take space, so a 40HQ holds fewer units than the same toys in polybags. That raises freight cost per piece, so compare landed cost, not just ex-works price. Printed boxes also need artwork, proofs and production time, which is why lead time can sit toward the upper end of our usual 25–45 days.
A display box (also called a PDQ or counter display) packs 12, 24 or more small items in one shelf-ready unit. It is useful for mixed small toys and for stores with little floor space. Check that the inner count matches your master carton count, otherwise cartons end up part-filled and waste CBM.
Typical MOQ at LeTin Toys is 1–5 cartons per item, and by category: battery-operated 120–360 pcs, vinyl dolls 180–500 pcs, plush 300–600 pcs, inflatables 500–1,000 pcs. Custom printed packaging can raise these numbers, because a print run has its own minimum. Plan carton volume with our CBM container loading guide, and see MOQ, CBM and lead times in Chenghai for the full picture.
Safety testing such as EN71, ASTM F963 or CPC is arranged for your destination, and labelling must match. For country requirements see our toy safety certification guide.
A polybag with a header card is normally the lowest-cost option and also packs the most units per carton. Exact costs are confirmed per item in the quotation.
Often yes. Printed boxes and cards have their own minimum print runs, so the MOQ can rise above the standard 1–5 cartons per item. Ask for it to be stated in the quote.
Artwork approval and printing add time inside the usual 25–45 day production window. Finalise the artwork early to protect your ship date.
You can, but it needs a new packaging sample and may change carton size and CBM. It is safer to decide packaging before bulk production.
Ready to compare packaging options for your range? Request a quote and we will reply within 1 business day.
Want your own brand on the box? See private label and OEM toys.