The toy industry is growing rapidly, and manufacturers continue to meet consumer demands by constantly designing new gadgets. Recently, a sensory toy called Push Bubble, also referred to as Pop It, Bubble Pop, or Fidget Toy, has appeared on the market. Its main feature is its anti-stress effect, which makes it suitable for both kids and adults. What is this new toy, and what are the requirements for importing Push Bubble from China?
What exactly is Push Bubble?
Push Bubble is a flat, silicone toy that comes in different shapes and colors. It’s covered in raised bumps that mimic the texture of bubble wrap. Pressing the bumps is supposed to have a relaxing and stress-relieving effect, and focusing on the repeated activity calms the user down and develops sensory experience in children. Due to its properties, it’s also suitable for kids on the autism spectrum or with ADHD.
Push Bubble from China
Special attention should be paid to toy manufacturing regions such as the cities of Shantou, Dongguan, Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong Province. A wide range of toys, including push bubble, can also be found in Yiwu and Ningbo in Zhejiang Province.
Push Bubble on Alibaba
If you cannot travel to China at the moment, there are ways to find contractors remotely without having to travel to the mentioned manufacturing regions. A lot of push bubble toy suppliers can be found on Alibaba, as well as other B2B platforms. Before you start working with a company, it’s a good idea to verify its credibility, especially when it comes to products that are in high demand.
What requirements must the Push Bubble meet?
Before importing goods from China, you should first familiarise yourself with the European Union market requirements. Meeting all the specified obligations is essential for further import and distribution. If you fail to do so, you may be fined, and your products refused or withdrawn from the market. What are the requirements for importing Push Bubble from China?
Import to the European Union – Toy Directive and CE marking
As the Push Bubble is a product also intended for children, it falls under the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. This means it has to obtain a CE mark. Additionally, the Push Bubble has to be compliant with the relevant harmonized standards, which vary according to the toy’s function and purpose. Each such product has to be verified in terms of safety standards in accordance with the mentioned regulations.
After conducting tests on the toy, a report is drawn up, which allows the certification body to issue a CE certificate of conformity. These documents authorize the manufacturer to issue a declaration of conformity and affix the CE mark on toys. The conformity verification process must be selected based on requirements related to individual harmonized standards. Please note that the lack of a CE mark and proper documentation will prevent customs clearance, which is necessary for the further distribution of goods.
Other marks
In addition to the CE marking, toy products must also have other symbols informing the consumer about the specifics of their use. These are supposed to warn against improper use of the product. An example of such a warning sign is the “not suitable for children under three years of age” mark. Such information indicates that the toy should not be used by children under three years old, as it may endanger their health.
Import to the US – Children’s Product Certificate
As for importing toys to the United States, they have to meet the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). On this basis, the items for kids need to be tested before placing on the US market. Goods that comply with regulations obtain a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC), which is mandatory if an importer plans to sell the toys in the United States.
Additional information
Like other toys, the Push Bubble must also have a type designation, batch, line or model number, and other identifying information. Make sure also to include information such as:
- Personal information
- Registered name or trademark
- Contact addresses of the manufacturer and importer
If it’s impossible to put these directly on the toy, they should be placed on the packaging or in an attached document.
Importing Push Bubble from China
The Push Bubble is an increasingly popular novelty in the toy market. Thanks to its anti-stress properties, it’s suitable for both children and adults. Keep in mind that while importing toys is very profitable, it comes with many responsibilities that need to be taken care of. Importers interested in the Push Bubble and other toys have to familiarize themselves with all the necessary requirements on their market.