I. Compliance with regulations and standards
Canadian toy safety standards:
Must comply with the Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) and Toy Regulations (SOR/2011-17)
Must meet ASTM F963 or ISO 8124 international safety standards
Pay special attention to requirements such as small parts, sharp edges, and chemical content
Label requirements:
Must have bilingual labels in English and French
Must indicate applicable age, safety warnings, and manufacturer information
Restriction marks for hazardous substances such as lead and phthalates
Certification requirements:
May need to provide a third-party test report (such as SGS, TÜV, etc.)
Some toys require prior approval from Health Canada
II. Packaging and transportation preparation
Packaging requirements:
Shockproof and moisture-proof packaging, especially for electronic toys
Ensure that the packaging can withstand long-distance sea or air transportation
Comply with ISPM15 standards Wooden packaging materials (fumigation treatment is required)
Transportation options:
Sea transport: low cost but long time (about 20-40 days), suitable for large quantities
Air transport: fast (3-7 days) but high cost, suitable for small quantities or urgent orders
Railway: China-Europe Express can be used as an alternative
Packing optimization:
Rational use of container space (20GP/40GP/40HQ)
Consider the seasonality of toys and arrange transportation plans in advance
III. Customs and document preparation
Necessary documents:
Commercial invoice (detailed description of goods, value, HS code)
Packing list
Bill of lading/airway bill
Certificate of origin (such as FORM E China-ASEAN Preferential Certificate of Origin)
Test report and declaration of conformity
HS code determination:
Toys are generally classified in Chapter 95 and must be accurately declared
Toys of different materials and types have different codes
Tariffs and taxes:
The import tariff on toys in Canada is generally 6.5% (depending on the HS code)
5% GST (Goods and Services Tax) must be paid
Some provinces also need to pay PST (Provincial Sales Tax)
IV. Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Transportation Insurance:
It is recommended to purchase full insurance (All Risks) Insurance
Clearly define the scope of insurance liability and deductible clauses
Temperature control:
Be careful to prevent freezing during winter transportation (especially toys containing batteries or liquids)
Be careful to prevent high temperatures and humidity in summer
Supply chain coordination:
Confirm the customs clearance agent with Canadian importers in advance
Understand the operating characteristics of major Canadian ports (Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal)
V. Special precautions
Toys containing batteries:
Lithium batteries must comply with UN38.3 testing requirements
Air transportation must comply with IATA dangerous goods transportation regulations
Seasonal factors:
Before Christmas is the peak period for toy imports, and shipments must be made 3-4 months in advance
Note that Canadian ports may have problems in winter Delays
Intellectual property protection:
Ensure that the toys do not infringe Canadian registered trademarks or patents
Prepare relevant authorization documents (such as authorized cartoon character toys)
Recall mechanism:
Understand the Canadian toy recall procedure
Establish a product traceability system
VI. Recommendations
Work with a freight forwarder familiar with the Canadian market
For the first export, consider a small batch trial order to test the market response
Regularly pay attention to Canadian regulatory updates (such as the phthalate restriction standards updated in 2023)
Consider setting up inventory in Canada to shorten delivery time
By following these points, you can ensure that toys are exported smoothly to the Canadian market while reducing compliance risks and transportation costs.