The United States is the world’s largest toy market, and China remains its biggest supplier. This guide summarizes what U.S. wholesale buyers, Amazon sellers and importers need to know in 2026 before ordering toys from China — certification, tariffs, and practical sourcing steps.
Toy Certification Requirements in the USA (2026)
Toys sold in the U.S. are regulated by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) under the CPSIA. Key requirements:
- ASTM F963-23 is the mandatory toy safety standard (in force since April 2024). It covers mechanical hazards, small parts, flammability, lead, heavy metals and phthalates.
- Toys intended for children 12 or younger must be tested by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory.
- The importer must issue a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) for each product/batch, based on those test reports.
- Each toy needs a permanent tracking label (manufacturer, date and batch information) and age-appropriate warning labels (e.g. small-parts choking warnings).
As your sourcing partner, we provide product specifications, materials data and samples for lab testing, and can coordinate testing with accredited laboratories on request.
Tariffs on Chinese Toys (mid-2026)
Toys have a 0% base duty in the U.S., but Chinese-origin toys currently carry a Section 301 surcharge (7.5%) plus a temporary additional tariff introduced in 2026, bringing the combined rate to roughly 17.5% as of mid-2026. Rates change frequently — confirm the current figure with your customs broker before ordering.
What U.S. Buyers Order Most
- Battery-operated (B/O) toys — lights, sounds and motion; strong sellers on Amazon and in discount chains.
- Educational & STEM toys — science kits, wind-up learning toys; favored by parents and specialty retailers.
- Pretend-play sets — kitchen, medical and shopping playsets for ages 3–8.
- Summer & outdoor toys — seasonal volume drivers for spring resets.
Practical Sourcing Checklist
- Request a quotation with FOB price, carton dimensions, CBM and quantity per carton — freight is calculated from carton volume.
- Confirm MOQ and lead time (typically 25–40 days after order confirmation for the products we source).
- Ask for existing ASTM/CPSIA test reports or arrange third-party testing before shipment.
- Book pre-shipment inspection (optional but recommended for first orders).
Get a Quote
LeTin Toys is a sourcing and trading partner based in Chenghai, China’s largest toy production hub. We select battery-operated, educational, summer and doll toys from vetted local suppliers, consolidate them into one shipment, and follow production and quality through delivery. Send us your target products or a photo of what you need — we reply within 24 hours with FOB pricing and carton details. Use the Send Inquiry button on any product page or contact us via WhatsApp.
