Importing toys from China to Australia? This Perth-focused 2026 guide breaks down ACCC mandatory safety standards, age grading, button-battery rules, landed costs and how to vet a toy factory.
Last updated: 19 June 2026
In short: To import toys from China to Australia you must meet the ACCC's mandatory safety standards — especially the small-parts (choking) rule for toys aimed at children under three, button-battery safety standards, and clear age grading. Beyond safety, budget for GST, freight, and supplier verification. A Perth eCommerce seller can typically land a compliant first toy order within 8–12 weeks. The biggest risk isn't cost; it's a safety recall, so compliance comes first.
Yes — importing toys from China is completely legal, and China makes the vast majority of the world's toys. The catch is that toys are one of the most heavily regulated consumer categories in Australia because they're used by children. The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) enforces mandatory safety standards, and selling a non-compliant toy can trigger a recall, fines, and serious liability.
So the question isn't really "can I import toys" — it's "can I prove my toys are safe and compliant". That distinction is what separates a thriving Perth toy brand from one that loses a container at the border.
Australia has several mandatory safety standards for toys, and which ones apply depends on the toy and the age group. The key ones to know:
Many Australian importers ask their factory to test against the international ISO 8124 / EN 71 toy safety series as a baseline, then confirm the specific Australian mandatory requirements on top. Always get the test reports in writing before production, not after.
Age grading is critical and often underestimated. The age label on a toy isn't marketing — it determines which mandatory standards apply. A toy graded "3+" is exempt from the under-three small-parts rule, but if you grade a small-part toy as "3+" purely to dodge the standard while clearly marketing it to toddlers, the ACCC can still take action.
Get your age grading right at the design stage, make it visible on packaging, and keep it consistent across your listings. For a Perth seller running Amazon and Shopify, mismatched age labels across channels are a common and avoidable compliance trap.
Toys are often light but bulky, so freight (charged on volume) matters more than for dense products. Here's a simplified worked example for a Perth seller importing 1,000 plush-and-plastic activity toys:
Cost itemAmount (AUD)1,000 units @ $4.50 FOB$4,500Sea freight (LCL, Ningbo to Fremantle)$1,100Safety testing (ISO 8124 / AU standards)~$600Customs duty (0% under ChAFTA, verify code)$0GST (10% on landed value)~$620Approx. total landed~$7,420
That's about $7.42/unit landed. At a $24.95 retail price, the margin supports marketing and returns — but notice how testing and freight, not the unit price, drive the real cost. The figures are illustrative; price your specific order, especially as a stronger AUD in 2026 is easing landed costs for WA importers.
Toy factories cluster around Guangdong (Shantou's Chenghai district is the global toy capital) and parts of Zhejiang. Look for suppliers experienced in exporting to regulated markets like Australia, the EU, and the US — they'll already understand EN 71 and ISO 8124. Ask for recent third-party test reports, order samples, and arrange a factory audit before paying a deposit.
Red flags include suppliers who can't produce test reports, who push back on age-grading requirements, or who quote prices well below the market. A sourcing partner with bilingual teams on the ground in China can vet the factory, manage testing, and protect you from a costly recall.
You need evidence that each product meets the applicable mandatory standards. In practice that means testing each design (and re-testing if the design changes), not literally every unit. Keep test reports on file in case the ACCC asks.
Yes. Some toys are banned outright — for example certain small high-powered magnets and non-compliant projectile toys. Check the ACCC's banned products list before committing to a product.
Many toys attract 0% duty under the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement, but you must confirm the correct tariff classification. GST of 10% still applies on the landed value.
With a verified supplier, plan for roughly 2–4 weeks for samples and testing, 4–6 weeks for production, and 3–4 weeks for sea freight to Fremantle — about 8–12 weeks for a first order.
As the Australian importer you are treated as the supplier under Australian Consumer Law, so liability sits with you — not the overseas factory. That's why upfront verification and testing are non-negotiable.
At Epic Sourcing, we've sourced over 20,000 products for 300+ happy clients, with average savings around 77% and bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam. We help Perth toy and eCommerce brands vet factories, manage safety testing, nail age grading and labelling, and ship compliant stock to your door. Launching a beauty range too? Read our guide to importing cosmetics and skincare from China. Ready to import toys without the recall risk? Give us a bell and book a discovery call.
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