Toy Carton and Container Data 2026: What 845 Chenghai SKUs Show

We analysed the carton specifications of 845 toy SKUs in the LeTin Toys Chenghai catalogue in October 2026. The median toy carton holds 84 units, measures 0.21 CBM and weighs 23 kg, so about 324 cartons, or roughly 25,900 units, fill the 68 CBM of a 40HQ container. Plush cartons are the bulkiest at 0.31 CBM, squishy cartons the densest, and 78% of all SKUs have a minimum order of 3 cartons or fewer.

Key findings

• A typical toy carton is 0.21 CBM and 23 kg and holds 84 sellable units (median of 845 SKUs).
• About 324 cartons fill a 40HQ. At the median carton size that is roughly 25,900 units; the middle half of SKUs range from about 11,000 to 56,600 units per 40HQ.
• Volume, not weight, is the limit. The median carton weighs 105 kg per CBM, so a 40HQ filled to 68 CBM carries about 7 tonnes, far below the roughly 26-tonne payload of a standard 40HQ.
• Plush is the bulkiest category: 0.31 CBM per carton and 78 kg per CBM, so a plush-only 40HQ takes about 222 cartons.
• Squishy cartons are the densest: 224 kg per CBM, almost three times plush, which makes them useful for balancing light, bulky cartons in a mixed container.
• Minimums are small: 78% of SKUs have an MOQ of 3 cartons or fewer; the median MOQ is 3 cartons, or about 192 units.
• Most listed items are ready quickly: 90% of catalogue SKUs list a lead time of 10 days or less.

Carton size, weight and container fill by category

All values are medians per SKU. Units per 40HQ is a theoretical maximum: 68 CBM divided by carton volume, times units per carton. Real loads come in lower because of carton stacking limits and gaps.

Toy carton and 40HQ data by category (845 SKUs, October 2026)

Why toy containers fill up before they get heavy

Sea freight on toys is effectively priced by space. With a median density of 105 kg per CBM, a full 40HQ of toys weighs around 7 tonnes, a fraction of what the container can carry. That is why carton volume, not unit price alone, decides landed cost: if a 40HQ costs USD 2,600 to ship and you load 60 CBM, freight is about USD 43 per CBM, and two orders at the same unit prices can land 15–20% apart on packing efficiency.

The category spread matters when you mix a container. Plush and RC vehicles take the most space per carton (about 0.30 CBM) and are the lightest per CBM, so a plush-heavy order reaches the volume limit with only about 220 cartons. Squishy, arts and crafts and summer items are smaller and denser, so they add units without adding much volume. Compressed packing on plush is worth asking about before you fix the carton spec.

How small are the minimums?

MOQ per SKU across 845 catalogue items

Because minimums are set in cartons, the unit minimum depends on carton size: the median works out to about 192 units per SKU, from 72 for squishy sets to around 290 for pretend play, RC and baby lines. A mixed 20ft container can therefore carry 200+ SKUs. Background: toy MOQ explained.

Lead times on catalogue items

Listed lead time across 845 catalogue items

These are lead times for standard catalogue items on running production lines. Custom packaging, colour changes and new production typically take 25–45 days, and safety testing adds 7–14 days when an item has no current report for your market. From August to October, Chenghai lines fill with Christmas orders and lead times stretch. See the wholesale toy buying calendar.

How to use these numbers

1. Estimate cartons first. Divide 68 CBM by the carton volume on each quote line to see how many cartons of an item a 40HQ holds.
2. Balance bulky and dense lines. Pair plush or RC cartons with squishy, crafts or summer items to add units without running out of space.
3. Price per CBM, not just per unit. Divide your freight quote by loaded CBM and add it to each line by carton volume to compare landed cost.
4. Check minimums in units. Multiply MOQ cartons by units per carton before you compare suppliers.

Worked examples: CBM and container loading for toy orders and a 40HQ assortment template.

Want a container plan for your own list? Send it and get carton data and a quote in 1 business day, or WhatsApp +86 137 2926 5640.

Methodology

Data comes from the 845 product listings in the eight category catalogues on letintoys.com, collected on 22 October 2026. For each SKU we used the listed units per carton, carton volume, gross carton weight (available for 763 SKUs), MOQ and lead time. Units are sellable units as listed, so a 12-piece set counts as one unit. Container figures assume 68 CBM of usable space in a 40HQ and full use of that space, so they are upper bounds. All category figures are medians. You are welcome to cite these figures with a link to this page.

FAQ: Toy Cartons and Container Loading

How many toys fit in a 40HQ container?

About 25,900 units at the median carton size in our 845-SKU sample, with the middle half of items between roughly 11,000 and 56,600 units. Plush and RC vehicles sit at the low end, around 18,000–19,000 units, because their cartons are bulky.

How many cartons of toys fit in a 40ft high cube?

About 324 cartons at the median toy carton of 0.21 CBM, assuming 68 CBM of usable space. Plush-only loads take about 222 cartons; squishy-only loads about 531.

What is the typical MOQ for toys from China?

In our catalogue the median MOQ is 3 cartons, or about 192 units per SKU, and 78% of SKUs need 3 cartons or fewer.

Is weight or volume the limit when shipping toys?

Volume. The median toy carton weighs about 105 kg per CBM, so a 40HQ filled to 68 CBM carries roughly 7 tonnes, well below its payload limit.

How big is a typical toy carton?

The median carton in our sample is 0.21 CBM, weighs 23 kg and holds 84 units. Plush and RC cartons are larger, around 0.30 CBM.

Related: mixed container toy wholesale · Chenghai MOQ, CBM and lead times · buy toys in bulk. LeTin Toys (Shantou LeTin Toys Trading Co., Ltd.) is a toy trading company in Chenghai, Shantou, established 2018.