2026 Safety Rules for Under-3 Toys: Parts, Edges, Cords

Where Is the Chenghai Toy Market?

The Chenghai toy market is in Chenghai District, Shantou City, Guangdong Province, China. It is not a single building but a cluster of thousands of factories, showrooms, and raw-material suppliers spread across roughly 345 square kilometers. If you fly into Shantou Waisha Airport (SWA), you are 20 minutes by taxi from the main toy zones. The region hosts more than 10,000 toy producers and supporting factories, covering mold making, injection molding, spray painting, electronic assembly, and printing. This density means you can find every type of toy — plastic, plush, educational, electronic — within a 40-minute drive. For a buyer, the advantage is speed: a prototype can go from concept to injection mold in days, not weeks, because the mold shop is next door.

What Toys Can You Source There?

Chenghai produces roughly 70% of China's plastic toys and a significant share of the world's toy cars, building blocks, baby rattles, bath toys, and musical instruments. Plush toys are more concentrated in Yiwu, but Chenghai factories also make stuffed items with plastic or electronic components. Educational toys — puzzles, stacking rings, shape sorters — are a specialty because the local supply chain for injection-molded parts and water-based paints is mature. If you need a certified small-parts-free rattle with a rounded edge and a short cord, Chenghai has dozens of factories that already produce that exact item for export to Europe and North America.

Category & MOQ Overview

How to Import From Chenghai (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Pre-qualify the factory. Ask for their current certifications — EN 71, ASTM F963, and specifically the small-parts cylinder test report (ASTM F963 4.6 or EN 71-1 8.2). Any factory that regularly exports under-3 toys should have these on file. Step 2: Request samples of existing products that match your category. Test those samples yourself with a small-parts cylinder (available for under $100) and a radius gauge. Step 3: Audit the production line. During the audit, check that no loose parts (screws, batteries, small wheels) are accessible before assembly. Verify that cords on any pull toy or necklace measure less than 22 cm when stretched. Step 4: Agree on a pre-shipment inspection by a third party such as SGS or Bureau Veritas. Step 5: Arrange sea freight from Shantou Port (direct container loading) or via Shenzhen/Yantian for larger volumes. The entire process, including mold development, typically takes 30–60 days from order confirmation to shipment.

How to Verify a Factory's Compliance With Under-3 Safety Rules

First, ask for the factory's in-house quality control records for small-parts testing, edge-radius measurement, and cord-length checks. A good factory will show you a log with daily readings. Second, inspect the molds: for under-3 toys, all edges must have a radius of at least 2 mm, which means the mold cavity itself must be designed with rounded corners. A factory that uses sharp-cornered molds cannot produce safe under-3 toys without post-processing. Third, check the cord attachment point. The cord must be securely anchored so it cannot be pulled out by a child. Look for double stitching or a welded joint on fabric cords, and a locked knot on elastic cords. Fourth, verify that the factory has a third-party certification for the specific product model, not just a generic factory certificate. EN 71 and ASTM F963 certifications are product-specific — the test report must list the exact model number you are buying.

FAQ

What is the maximum cord length allowed for a toy intended for a child under 3?

22 cm when the cord is fully extended. This applies to pull cords, necklaces, and any other flexible attachment.

Do Chenghai factories typically have EN 71 or ASTM F963 certifications?

Many export-oriented factories do, but always ask for the test report specific to your product model. A generic factory certificate is not enough.

Can I order under-3 toys with a MOQ of 200 units?

Rarely. Most Chenghai factories set MOQs between 500 and 3000 units for under-3 toys because the molds and certification testing cost the same regardless of quantity. Some factories may accept 200–500 for an existing mold.

What happens if my shipment fails a small-parts test at customs?

The shipment will be detained, and you may face fines or a recall. Always conduct a pre-shipment inspection with a third-party lab before loading.

How do I verify that a factory's edge radius meets the 2 mm requirement?

Request a radius gauge measurement report for the product. During an audit, use a radius gauge set (R1, R2, R3) to physically check edges on 10–20 random samples.

Are there special labeling requirements for under-3 toys from China?

Yes. The packaging must include an age warning ("Not suitable for children under 3") if small parts are present, plus the manufacturer's name and address, and the CE mark (for EU) or ASTM compliance statement (for US).

Request a Quote

Need help verifying a Chenghai factory's compliance with 2026 under-3 safety rules? We can connect you with pre-audited manufacturers or arrange a third-party inspection. Request a quote or factory audit by contacting our sourcing team.