Exporting plush and merchandise to Canada

Toys sold in Canada must meet the Toys Regulations under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, with bilingual English and French labeling. Plush-covered stuffed toys are duty-free under Canada’s 2026 tariff.

Checked 9 Nov 20265 requirements for plush2 sources

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At a glance

Import duty from Vietnam: 0%: stuffed, plush-covered toys (9503.00.90.51) are free at the MFN rate (CBSA Customs Tariff 2026).
Tax at import: GST 5% collected at import; provincial taxes apply at sale.
Marks: No toy mark.
Key document: Test reports against the Toys Regulations, kept by the importer.
Labels: English and French.
Responsible party: The Canadian importer or seller.

Easy to miss

Bilingual labelsWarnings and required information appear in both English and French.
Lead and phthalatesSeparate regulations limit lead in surface coatings and phthalates in vinyl.
Textile labellingConsumer textile articles carry fiber content under the Textile Labelling Act.

Requirements by product

Pick your product. Indicative checklist from Takara’s market rule set; the accredited lab confirms the final scope.

Plush & toys3 tests · 2 labels

Test
Toys Regulations (SOR/2011-17)
Canada’s toy rules under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act: mechanical hazards, flammability, small parts and labeling.
Test
Lead & surface-coating regulations
Limits on lead in children’s products that can be mouthed and in paints and surface coatings.
Test
Phthalates Regulations (SOR/2016-188)
Restricted phthalates in the soft vinyl of toys and child-care articles.
Label
Bilingual labeling (English & French)
Consumer labels, warnings and instructions in both English and French; Québec applies its own French-language rules.
Label
Provincial stuffed-article rules
Some provinces, such as Québec, regulate stuffed articles and require a label showing the stuffing materials.

Apparel1 test · 2 labels

Test
Textile Flammability Regulations
Flammability requirements for consumer textile products, including clothing.
Label
Bilingual labeling (English & French)
Consumer labels, warnings and instructions in both English and French; Québec applies its own French-language rules.
Label
Textile Labelling Act
Fibre content in English and French and the dealer’s identity (name and address or CA number).

Drinkware1 test · 1 label

Test
Food and Drugs Act (packaging materials)
Food-contact materials must not transfer harmful substances to food; migration testing is commonly requested.
Label
Bilingual labeling (English & French)
Consumer labels, warnings and instructions in both English and French; Québec applies its own French-language rules.

Electronics4 tests · 1 label

Test
Toys Regulations (SOR/2011-17)
Canada’s toy rules under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act: mechanical hazards, flammability, small parts and labeling.
Test
Lead & surface-coating regulations
Limits on lead in children’s products that can be mouthed and in paints and surface coatings.
Test
Phthalates Regulations (SOR/2016-188)
Restricted phthalates in the soft vinyl of toys and child-care articles.
Test
ISED (ICES-003 / RSS) & electrical certification
EMC and radio rules from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, plus certification by an accredited body for mains-powered products.
Label
Bilingual labeling (English & French)
Consumer labels, warnings and instructions in both English and French; Québec applies its own French-language rules.

Selling through retailers or under license (2 more)

Audit
Retailer test protocol & factory audit
Major retailers usually set their own lab test protocol and require a social-compliance audit (for example amfori BSCI or Sedex SMETA) at the producing partner factory. These programs are generally practical for relatively large orders.
Audit
Licensor approvals & factory program
Licensors approve the concept, pre-production and final samples, and some (for example Disney FAMA) require production at an authorized partner factory. Authorized facilities are limited and generally practical for larger orders.

How Takara handles it

Declare the marketList every market and retailer at inquiry. It sets the tests and the eligible partner factories.
Design for testingComponents, colors and labels are chosen so testing stays clear and affordable.
Test before productionAccredited labs test the approved sample and risky components on production materials.
Label and documentMarks, local-language labels and your importer’s documents are ready before shipment.

Custom plush for export starts at 1,000 pieces per design, because testing is a fixed cost per design.

Questions

Is there Canadian duty on plush toys?

Stuffed, plush-covered toys under 9503.00.90.51 are free at the MFN rate. GST of 5% is collected at import.

Do labels need French?

Yes. Required toy labeling and warnings are bilingual, English and French.

Sources

Checked on 9 November 2026. General information, not legal or customs advice: confirm the rate for your exact tariff code and the requirements for your product with a customs broker or accredited lab.

Planning plush for Canada?

Send the design, quantity, age grade and sales channel. Takara replies within 3 business days with a quote that includes testing and documents.

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