In reality, kids’ and baby products are among the most tightly regulated categories in global e-commerce. From safety testing and chemical restrictions to labelling rules and customs inspections, shipping toys, games and children’s clothing overseas can quickly become complex, costly and time-consuming if you’re not prepared.

In this guide, we break down the biggest international shipping challenges UK sellers face when exporting children’s products — and, more importantly, how to avoid them.

You’ll learn:

• How to navigate heavy and often confusing toy safety regulations
• How to reduce customs delays when shipping toys, games and puzzles
• Why labelling children’s products correctly is more important than you think

#Shipping toys or games internationally? Here’s what you need to know

Over time, wide variations in how children’s products are manufactured — and the materials used — have led governments worldwide to introduce strict safety and compliance standards. Products that fail to meet these requirements can face customs seizures, fines and forced returns, not to mention reputational damage.

Before throwing your toys out of the pram, let’s take a closer look at the key challenges UK e-commerce brands face — and how to stay one step ahead.

#1. Safety & compliance regulations

Children’s products are heavily regulated, and the rules vary significantly by country.

Common challenges include:

• Different safety standards by market
• The cost and complexity of testing and certification for multiple regions
• Chemical restrictions (lead, phthalates, BPA, cadmium, formaldehyde)
• Age grading rules — especially for products intended for children aged 0–3

Why this matters: A toy that’s perfectly legal in one country can be banned or seized in another.

#2. Customs delays and seizures

Customs authorities scrutinise children’s products far more closely than most other e-commerce categories.

Common triggers for delays include:

• Missing or incorrect HS Codes
• Incomplete or incorrect compliance documentation
• Missing country-of-origin labelling
• Incorrect age warnings or choking-hazard statements

Worst-case scenario: Your shipment is held, returned or destroyed — at your expense — leaving customers frustrated and margins eroded.

#3. Labelling and language requirements

Every country has its own labelling rules, and children’s products leave very little room for error.

Typical requirements include:

• Safety warnings and instructions in the local language
• Manufacturer or importer name and address
• Clear age-suitability markings
• Required safety marks (CE, UKCA, etc.)

For puzzles and games, this often also means:

• Fully translated rules and instructions
• Clear descriptions of skills and age suitability

All of this adds cost, time and complexity to packaging design — particularly for brands selling into multiple markets.

#4. Product size, weight and dimensional charges

Toys and games are often:

• Bulky but lightweight
• Awkwardly shaped
• Over-packaged (especially boxed games and sets)

This can result in:

• High dimensional weight charges
• Poor shipping cost efficiency
• Pressure to redesign packaging for international markets

#5. Fragility and damage in transit

Puzzles, games and toys often contain multiple small components — making them vulnerable during transit.

Common issues include:

• Missing pieces on arrival
• Crushed or damaged retail packaging
• Broken wooden or plastic parts

Returns due to a single missing piece can be brutal for margins and customer trust.

#The building blocks for shipping children’s products successfully

International shipping doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right preparation — and the right partner — shipping children’s products can be efficient, compliant and cost-effective.

What works in practice:

• Research safety and shipping regulations for each destination market
• Ensure all documentation is accurate and complete
• Flag upfront that children’s products require additional compliance documents
• Package items carefully to protect both the product and retail packaging
• Use DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) services wherever possible to avoid surprises for customers

#FAQs: International shipping for children’s products, clothing, toys & games

Do children’s toys need special documentation to ship internationally?

Yes. Most countries require compliance documentation for children’s toys and products, including safety testing certificates, conformity declarations, and correct HS codes. Missing or incorrect documents are one of the main causes of customs delays and seizures.

What’s the difference between CE, UKCA and other toy safety marks?

CE Marking applies to toys sold in the EU, while UKCA is required for the UK market. Other countries, such as the US, Canada and Australia, have their own safety frameworks and testing standards. A product compliant in one region may not automatically be compliant elsewhere.

Why are toys more likely to be delayed at customs?

Children’s products are classed as high-risk items due to safety concerns. Customs authorities routinely check age warnings, chemical compliance, labelling accuracy and documentation — making toys more likely to be inspected than general merchandise.

What is DDP shipping and why is it important for kids clothing and toys?

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping means all duties, taxes and fees are paid upfront. This avoids surprise charges for customers, reduces refused deliveries and improves the buying experience — particularly important when shipping regulated items like children’s toys.

How can UK e-commerce brands reduce shipping costs for toys and games?

Optimising packaging, using accurate HS codes, avoiding dimensional weight pitfalls and choosing the right international shipping service all help reduce costs. Working with a shipping partner experienced in children’s products – like SAMOS – can make a significant difference

Ship children’s toys internationally — without the compliance headaches Shipping children’s toys and games internationally comes with unique challenges — but with the right preparation and the right shipping partner, it doesn’t need to be complicated. From toy safety compliance and labelling requirements to customs clearance and DDP delivery, SAMOS helps UK e-commerce brands ship children’s products worldwide with confidence.

Talk to our international shipping experts today - We’ll review your products, destinations and compliance requirements — and build a shipping strategy that works for your business.

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