Exporting plush and merchandise to the United States

The US regulates children’s products at federal level through the CPSC. A plush toy needs third-party testing at a CPSC-accepted lab, a Children’s Product Certificate issued by the importer and, since July 8, 2026, certificate data filed electronically at entry.

Checked 9 Nov 20269 requirements for plush4 sources

Get a quote for this market

At a glance

Import duty from Vietnam: Most toys (HTS 9503) have a 0% general rate. Additional US duties on Vietnam-origin goods have changed repeatedly since 2025: check the current rate for your HTS code.
Tax at import: No federal VAT; state sales tax applies when goods are sold.
Marks: No federal mark. Stuffed-toy law label with a registration number for Pennsylvania, Ohio and Massachusetts.
Key document: Children’s Product Certificate (CPC), eFiled with CBP since July 8, 2026.
Labels: English. Permanent tracking label on product and packaging.
Responsible party: The US importer certifies; the factory and its sourcing partner supply test reports and production data.

Easy to miss

ASTM F963-23 is mandatorySince April 20, 2024, under 16 CFR part 1250, tested at a CPSC-accepted lab.
eFiling at the borderCertificate data travels with the entry in ACE or by reference to the CPSC Product Registry.
Giveaway plush countsPromotional plush distributed in the US meets the same rules as plush sold in stores.
RetestingRuns longer than a year need periodic testing; a new factory or component means new testing.

Requirements by product

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

Plush & toys3 tests · 1 document · 5 labels

Test
ASTM F963 (16 CFR 1250)
The mandatory US toy safety standard: mechanical and physical hazards, flammability and heavy elements. Testing must be done by a CPSC-accepted third-party lab.
Test
CPSIA lead limits (16 CFR 1303)
Children’s products must stay within lead limits for the material (100 ppm) and for paint and surface coatings (90 ppm).
Test
CPSIA phthalates (16 CFR 1307)
Accessible plastic and vinyl parts of children’s toys are tested for restricted phthalates.
Document
Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)
The importer issues a CPC listing every rule that applies, based on passing third-party test reports.
Label
Permanent tracking label
Children’s products and their packaging carry permanent marks showing who made them, where and when, and the production batch.
Label
Choking-hazard warnings (FHSA)
Toys for ages 3 to 6 that contain small parts, small balls or marbles need the prescribed choking-hazard warning on the packaging.
Label
State stuffed-article laws
Some states, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Massachusetts, require a law label on stuffed products and, in some cases, registration of the manufacturer.
Label
California Proposition 65
Products sold in California need a warning if they expose users to listed chemicals; most brands test to stay below the levels that would require one.
Label
Country-of-origin marking (19 CFR 134)
Imported goods are marked legibly and permanently with the country of origin, for example "Made in Vietnam", on the product or its packaging.

Apparel1 test · 3 labels

Test
Clothing flammability (16 CFR 1610)
Clothing textiles must meet the federal flammability standard. For adult apparel, the importer issues a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC).
Label
Textile Act & Care Labeling Rule
Garments carry fiber content, country of origin, the dealer’s name or RN number, and permanent care instructions.
Label
California Proposition 65
Products sold in California need a warning if they expose users to listed chemicals; most brands test to stay below the levels that would require one.
Label
Country-of-origin marking (19 CFR 134)
Imported goods are marked legibly and permanently with the country of origin, for example "Made in Vietnam", on the product or its packaging.

Drinkware1 test · 2 labels

Test
FDA food-contact (21 CFR 174–186)
Materials that touch food or drink must be permitted for food contact; migration or extraction testing is done per material.
Label
California Proposition 65
Products sold in California need a warning if they expose users to listed chemicals; most brands test to stay below the levels that would require one.
Label
Country-of-origin marking (19 CFR 134)
Imported goods are marked legibly and permanently with the country of origin, for example "Made in Vietnam", on the product or its packaging.

Electronics5 tests · 1 document · 4 labels

Test
ASTM F963 (16 CFR 1250)
The mandatory US toy safety standard: mechanical and physical hazards, flammability and heavy elements. Testing must be done by a CPSC-accepted third-party lab.
Test
CPSIA lead limits (16 CFR 1303)
Children’s products must stay within lead limits for the material (100 ppm) and for paint and surface coatings (90 ppm).
Test
CPSIA phthalates (16 CFR 1307)
Accessible plastic and vinyl parts of children’s toys are tested for restricted phthalates.
Test
FCC Part 15
Electronics are tested for radio-frequency emissions; wireless products need FCC certification and the FCC ID on the label.
Test
Reese’s Law (16 CFR 1263)
Products that use button or coin cell batteries need a secured battery compartment, specific tests and warning labels.
Document
Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)
The importer issues a CPC listing every rule that applies, based on passing third-party test reports.
Label
Permanent tracking label
Children’s products and their packaging carry permanent marks showing who made them, where and when, and the production batch.
Label
Choking-hazard warnings (FHSA)
Toys for ages 3 to 6 that contain small parts, small balls or marbles need the prescribed choking-hazard warning on the packaging.
Label
California Proposition 65
Products sold in California need a warning if they expose users to listed chemicals; most brands test to stay below the levels that would require one.
Label
Country-of-origin marking (19 CFR 134)
Imported goods are marked legibly and permanently with the country of origin, for example "Made in Vietnam", on the product or its packaging.

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

Who issues the CPC for plush made in Vietnam?

The US importer, based on passing reports from a CPSC-accepted third-party lab. The certificate must be in English and contain seven required elements.

Is an EN 71 report enough for the US?

No. The US requires ASTM F963 and CPSIA testing. One test program can cover several markets if all of them are declared upfront.

What is the export MOQ for custom plush to the US?

Through Takara, 1,000 pieces per design, because testing is a fixed cost per design.

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 the United States?

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

Get a quote WhatsApp