Electronic items and toys made in China are quite in demand. China is currently the largest producer and retailer of toys worldwide. China produces more than 50% of all toys sold worldwide. This means that China has the most variety of toys of any other country in the world, therefore you can find whatever toy you want there.
As a result, there is no longer a need to coordinate numerous exports from various countries. You can manage all your toy shipments and import from China to the UK easily with a Chinese supplier and freight forwarder. Check the safety certifications of the chosen toy suppliers in China, and always ensure the merchandise you’re purchasing is of the highest quality. You can save a ton of time and energy by choosing the right manufacturer and suppliers upfront.
Learn about the regulations of toy import from China to the UK before you purchase from your source. For example, all toys imported into the European Union should follow the toy safety instructions and exhibit a CE symbol on the product verifying its safety. A skilled supplier is accustomed to working within these safety constraints and may collaborate with you to ensure that you purchase a product that is worth selling.
Here are some key aspects that as a customer you should be aware of when importing toys from China to the UK. Ensure that the suppliers also adhere to the regulations and rules specified below –
Find Appropriate Supplier
You should look for a Chinese supplier who manufactures the toys you wish to import from China to the UK. For toys sold in the UK, it’s critical to confirm that your source complies with the 2011 Toys Safety Regulation. This means, the toy you’re selling needs to be safety checked to meet European standards, appropriately tagged to allow for traceability, and have the CE mark along with any applicable instructions or warnings.
Find the Commodity Code
You must make sure your items comply with the UK commodity codes. Commodity Codes are crucial to your cargo since if your items are wrongly labelled, UK Customs may delay or stop your shipment.
Go to the UK Government Trade Tariff to find the correct commodity code for the Chinese import toys you are looking to purchase. You can investigate commodity codes as well as VAT and duty rates at the UK Government Trade Tariff. Commodity codes are crucial for categorizing your imported goods so you can:
- Check to see whether any duty reliefs are available.
- Complete declarations serve as an alternative to paperwork.
- Ascertain whether you must pay any VAT or duty fees.
Find EORI Number
You will need to obtain an Economic Operator Registration Identification number (EORI). The EORI number is used by UK customs to keep track of every imported and exported commodity. All enterprises in the United Kingdom are required to have an EORI once trade goods import from China to the UK. If you use a freight or trip forwarder, you must also provide an EORI form.
Register CHIEF
Importers, exporters, and freight forwarders can electronically enter customs data into the Customs Handling Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system, calculate payable duties and taxes, and mechanically check for errors. CHIEF also recognizes that consignments require the product or documentation inspection, allowing for quicker entrance for low-risk goods.
If your freight forwarder is handling your cargo for you, they should be covered, but if you’re handling this yourself, be sure you register with CHIEF and declare the goods.
Pay the VAT
You can confirm the VAT and Duty that apply to your toy as well as the amount you must pay once you have created the commodity code. If your business is registered for VAT, you will be able to claim the VAT, but you will still have to pay it when you enter the UK.
Licence
After finding your product commodity code, it’s important to confirm whether your product would require a license before importing it into the UK. If you determine that a license is required, you may need to apply for the appropriate license and give customs a copy of the original license.
UKCA Mark Compliant
Toys that are imported from China to the UK should be safe for consumers. UKCA mark guarantees compliance with UK legislation regarding safety and quality. Various products may generate different regulations.
Due to the involved nature and requirement for extensive laboratory testing to ensure product adjustment, it might be difficult for businesses to plan for this multiple times.
As a result, third-party quality assurance companies or sourcing agents are available to help with the whole range of needs, from product testing to shipping inspections and labelling. Sourcing agents enable an effective approach to the supply chain, removing the danger that the goods will not pass inspections or comply with the laws.
A sourcing agent can help you find the best toy suppliers in China. If you’re moving forward with hiring a sourcing agent, you should strive to conduct a thorough investigation of sourcing agents and ensure that you hire an honest one.
It is always wise to travel with a sourcing company rather than an individual because firms might be registered whereas an individual may not.
Toys are products that are used by children under 14 years of age. Hence many products still don’t come under the toy category. For example, sports equipment, decorative pieces for festivals, aquatic equipment, a puzzle with more than 500 pieces, etc. Hence check the toy list properly when planning to import from China to the UK.
Before releasing a toy on the market, a manufacturer must do a security evaluation that addresses both implicit and explicit dangers, including physical, mechanical, flammability, chemical, electrical, hygiene, and radioactive threats. The kind of chemicals that is used to make toys and the maximum concentrations allowed are extremely strict requirements. Hence it is always wise to hire a sourcing agent that not only finds you the right supplier, but also helps in inspecting products adhering to country rules and regulations.
