--- title: "Exporting Plush to the United States: Rules, Duty, Labels | Takara" description: "What plush and merchandise made in Vietnam need to sell in the United States: toy safety rules, import duty and tax, required marks, labels and documents." url: https://takarahq.com/export/united-states lang: en last_updated: 2026-11-09 publisher: "Takara Corporation JSC (takarahq.com)" --- # 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 2026 9 requirements for plush 4 sources [Get a quote for this market](https://takarahq.com/contact) Selling somewhere else? - [USUnited States](https://takarahq.com/export/united-states) - [EUEuropean Union](https://takarahq.com/export/european-union) - [UKUnited Kingdom](https://takarahq.com/export/united-kingdom) - [JPJapan](https://takarahq.com/export/japan) - [KRSouth Korea](https://takarahq.com/export/south-korea) - [AUAustralia](https://takarahq.com/export/australia) - [CACanada](https://takarahq.com/export/canada) - [SGSingapore](https://takarahq.com/export/singapore) - [VNVietnam](https://takarahq.com/export/vietnam) ## 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 mandatory** Since April 20, 2024, under 16 CFR part 1250, tested at a CPSC-accepted lab. - **eFiling at the border** Certificate data travels with the entry in ACE or by reference to the CPSC Product Registry. - **Giveaway plush counts** Promotional plush distributed in the US meets the same rules as plush sold in stores. - **Retesting** Runs 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 & toys** 3 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. **Apparel** 1 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. **Drinkware** 1 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. **Electronics** 5 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 1. **Declare the market** List every market and retailer at inquiry. It sets the tests and the eligible partner factories. 2. **Design for testing** Components, colors and labels are chosen so testing stays clear and affordable. 3. **Test before production** Accredited labs test the approved sample and risky components on production materials. 4. **Label and document** Marks, 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. Read next [CPSIA for plush toys: testing, CPC and eFiling](https://takarahq.com/insights-cpsia-plush-toys-guide) [Plush made in Vietnam for US brands](https://takarahq.com/plush-manufacturer-for-us-brands) [Moving plush production from China to Vietnam](https://takarahq.com/insights-china-to-vietnam-plush) ## 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. 1. [CPSC, Children’s Product Certificate](https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Testing-Certification/Childrens-Product-Certificate) 2. [Federal Register, Certificates of Compliance final rule (Jan 8, 2025)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/08/2024-30826/certificates-of-compliance) 3. [eCFR, 16 CFR part 1250 (ASTM F963)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-II/subchapter-B/part-1250) 4. [USITC, Harmonized Tariff Schedule](https://hts.usitc.gov/) ## 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](https://takarahq.com/contact) [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/84906672348)