Exporting plush and merchandise to Japan

Plush for children under 6 is usually a “designated toy” under the Food Sanitation Act: every commercial import is notified to a quarantine station. Toys for children under 3 made or imported from December 25, 2025 also need the child PSC mark. Duty on toys is zero.

Checked 9 Nov 20263 requirements for plush3 sources

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At a glance

Import duty from Vietnam: 0%: HS 9503.00 is duty-free at the general and EPA rates (Japan Customs, April 2026).
Tax at import: Import consumption tax 10%.
Marks: Child PSC mark for under-3 toys (from Dec 25, 2025); ST mark voluntary, often asked by retailers.
Key document: Import notification to the quarantine station at every import of designated toys.
Labels: Japanese: age, warnings, importer details; clear country of origin.
Responsible party: The importer in Japan, with materials documentation from the manufacturer.

Easy to miss

Colorants matterDyed fabrics and threads must pass the colorant migration test unless listed colorants are used.
Phthalates and coatingsDBP, DEHP and BBP ≤ 0.1% in plasticized parts; cadmium, lead and arsenic limits in coatings.
Keychains are excludedKeychain and strap plush, and plush too large to mouth, are not designated toys.
Needle detectionJapanese buyers commonly require metal detection of sewn goods before shipment.

Requirements by product

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

Plush & toys2 tests · 1 label

Test
ST Mark (Japan Toy Association)
Voluntary toy safety standard, but widely expected by Japanese retailers. Covers mechanical, flammability and chemical tests.
Test
Food Sanitation Act (designated toys)
Toys that infants under 6 may put in their mouth must meet material specifications, including limits on heavy metals and certain phthalates.
Label
Child PSC mark (Consumer Product Safety Act, infant toys)
Toys for children under 3 made or imported from December 25, 2025 must meet the national technical standard (small parts, cords, suffocation, sharp edges), carry the target age and warnings in Japanese, and show the round child PSC mark. The manufacturer or importer files a business notification with METI and keeps inspection records.

Apparel1 test · 1 label

Test
Act on Household Products Containing Harmful Substances
Limits on formaldehyde (strictest for textiles for infants under 24 months) and certain azo dyes.
Label
Household Goods Quality Labeling Act
Fibre composition, care symbols (JIS L 0001) and the labeler’s name and contact, in Japanese.

Drinkware1 test

Test
Food Sanitation Act (food-contact apparatus)
Material and migration specifications for food-contact items, including the positive list for synthetic resins.

Electronics4 tests · 1 label

Test
ST Mark (Japan Toy Association)
Voluntary toy safety standard, but widely expected by Japanese retailers. Covers mechanical, flammability and chemical tests.
Test
Food Sanitation Act (designated toys)
Toys that infants under 6 may put in their mouth must meet material specifications, including limits on heavy metals and certain phthalates.
Test
PSE (Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act)
In-scope electrical products, including mains-powered items and lithium-ion batteries, need conformity checks and the PSE mark.
Test
Radio Act technical conformity (Giteki)
Wireless products such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi need technical conformity certification and the Giteki mark.
Label
Child PSC mark (Consumer Product Safety Act, infant toys)
Toys for children under 3 made or imported from December 25, 2025 must meet the national technical standard (small parts, cords, suffocation, sharp edges), carry the target age and warnings in Japanese, and show the round child PSC mark. The manufacturer or importer files a business notification with METI and keeps inspection records.

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 plush covered by Japan’s Food Sanitation Act?

Most plush for children under 6 is an “animal toy” or “doll”, both designated toys. Large plush, keychains and phone straps are excluded.

What is Japan’s duty on plush from Vietnam?

Zero: HS 9503.00 is duty-free. Import consumption tax of 10% applies.

Is the ST mark mandatory?

No, but many Japanese retailers ask for it. The child PSC mark is mandatory for under-3 toys.

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 Japan?

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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