In 2022, the global toy market brought in more than $94 billion, while the average amount spent on toys for children in Europe was about $220.
Every year, a lot of money moves around the world in the toy market, but if you want to do well in business, you need to broaden your view of the world and look to the East.
China exports more toys than any other country, which is why it’s so important to open up to the Chinese market.
When it comes to importing and buying wholesale toys from China, a beginner will definitely face some problems. However, with the help of this guide, it will be much easier to understand how things work and know specific places, like fairs, cities, and events, where you can buy and import all kinds of toys.
But what are the first problems that need to be solved? Some of these problems are the following:
not knowing the market, not knowing what kinds of toys to buy and sell at a certain market, not knowing how to find the right supplier, and not knowing the rules about safety and compliance.
But importing toys from China and buying them in bulk isn’t that hard if you follow the right advice and pay attention to how you import.
This article is a complete guide that will show you how to research your own market, choose the right products, and find the best suppliers.
Wholesale Toys: Use Google Trends to choose what to sell
The first step is to decide what you want to sell. You can do this by looking at Google Trends. This tool keeps track of the words that people search for online, so you can see what’s popular in a certain market segment at the moment.
Google Trends will give you a lot of information about how search terms have changed over time and how they are used. For example, it can tell you which version of the same product is the most searched for so you can figure out which is the best one to buy at a certain point in time.
Keep an eye on your category to make sure you know what’s going on.
Already in April 2015, for example, more and more videos of celebrities and VIPs riding hoverboards were posted online. Jamie Foxx, for example, made his entrance to Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show while standing on a hoverboard. This kind of thing leads to passive advertising that, thanks to the way the Internet works, creates trends and, in turn, makes more people buy the product. If you want to sell toys in bulk, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on viral videos about toys and other products.
Where to find manufacturers and suppliers of toys in China?
Just like other things made in China, toys come from different places. No matter where you are in China or how you go about finding Chinese suppliers, you need to pay attention to where the suppliers are located.
China makes most of its toys in five places, but Chenghai is the most important. Chenghai is a district of the city of Shantou in the province of Guangdong. Shantou is known as the “world capital of toys,” and Chenghai is a part of the city.
If you trade toys for a living and often buy a lot of them, Chenghai is the best place to find the factory or wholesale toys you want.
First, if you don’t want to go all the way to China, you can search Alibaba for “Shantou toys” and then choose “supplier” in the search bar.
There will be more than 500 different suppliers, which is not enough for you to start getting in touch with them.
Chenghai Toy Fair
Going to a fair in China is another way to find wholesale toys. The most important ones are:
The Canton Fair (23-27 April, 23-27 October 2014)
The Canton Fair, which was started in 1957 and is also called the China Import and Export Fair, is a big international trade show with a huge range of goods.
Products that are usually shown include:
kid toys
Toys with motors and remote controls, action toys, games and toys that teach, plush and cloth toys, and dolls.
Toy cars, children’s revolvers, wheelchairs, and small bikes.
Sound toys
Toys that blow up
HKTDC stands for Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair (8-11 January 2018)
The Hong Kong Toy Fair, or HKTDC, usually takes place in January and has:
toys and educational games; electronic and remote-controlled toys; multiple types of toys; world of outdoor & sporting goods; paper products and toy packaging; toys for domestic pets; items for parties and ceremonies; smart-tech toys; plushies and dolls; pyrotechnic toys and fireworks;
China-Toy-Expo (18-20 October 2017 in Shanghai) (18-20 October 2017 in Shanghai)
In Asia, it is an international fair for toys and other things for kids. It gives international companies access to the Chinese market and lets exhibitors talk to visitors in order to strengthen business ties.
Some of the things on display at the fair are:
toys and dolls; educational and electronic toys; hobby and model building toys; non-electronic plastic toys; outdoor sports equipment; pre-school education; wooden toys; indoor and outdoor playgrounds.
Wholesale safety compliance and regulations for toys
Since we’re talking about things that will end up in the hands of children, all toys need to have certificates and follow certain safety rules. But because this category can include a wide range of products, it’s hard to list all of the European directives that apply. Instead, we can say that in general, we need to pay attention to:
Limits on certain substances
Rules about electrical products or toys that have electrical parts
Properties of the body or the way it works that could put safety at risk
In Europe, the EN71 directive sets safety standards for toys. This directive takes into account things like:
Mechanical \sNoise
Flame retardant properties
Chemical composition
Electrical safety
Hygiene \sRadiation
To import wholesale toys from China, you must meet this standard. That’s why it’s important to make sure that
The chosen supplier makes products that are in line with the directive. The product has the CE mark and an instruction manual in the box. It has been tested in a lab and passed. Your company’s name and address are printed on the product and the packaging.
You should be very careful because not all Chinese suppliers sell goods that meet EU rules. Many of them also say on their websites that they have certifications that they do not have.
If you buy toys that don’t meet European standards, you risk having them taken away by customs and getting a fine for not following the rules. In fact, the importer is always responsible for making sure the products meet standards.
In addition to safety requirements, you should also pay attention to labeling requirements. On the label, you must write not only where the product came from, but also any certifications and warnings about how to use it correctly.
Importing wholesale toys is easy
Did this article make you feel bad about yourself? You don’t have the time or money to visit factories or fairs in China. You don’t think you can check all the certifications needed to import toys, do you? Don’t worry, Dropship-empire is a quick and easy way to fix it.
Dropship-empire is a full-service company that can help you find wholesale products from China, check their certifications and quality, arrange shipping, clear customs, and deliver them to your home.