Shantou Chenghai汕头澄海
Guangdong
In 2024, Chenghai district had 227 above-scale toy and creative-products companies with combined output of RMB 14.09 billion, about half of the district's large industrial firms. Local officials say it makes nearly 50% of China's plastic toys, supplied by tens of thousands of small factories and trading houses. Buyers come for building blocks, RC vehicles, educational and novelty toys, and the fast, low-cost copying of trending designs.
Plastic toysBuilding blocksRC and electronic toysCollectibles and gift items
Key figures
Buyer tips
- Much of Chenghai's supply runs through showrooms and trading companies rather than factories; ask for the manufacturer's business licence and mould ownership, and visit the injection-moulding floor before you place a private-label order.
- Budget for full safety testing before shipping: ASTM F963 and CPSIA (lead, phthalates, tracking labels, Children's Product Certificate) for the US, EN 71 parts 1-3, REACH and CE for the EU, plus battery and radio (FCC/RED) tests for RC and electronic toys.
- Design copying is widespread. Check that items, especially licensed characters and block sets similar to famous brands, are not infringing before you list them on Amazon or other marketplaces; takedowns and seized shipments are common.
- Stock items in showrooms often have low MOQs (a few cartons), but custom colours, packaging and moulds usually need 1,000-3,000+ units per SKU; peak production for Western holiday orders runs roughly June-September, so book early.
Wholesale markets
Trade fairs
- Shantou (Chenghai) International Toy and Gift Expo (汕头·澄海国际玩具礼品博览会), held in Chenghai each autumn; 23rd edition in October 2024
Typical ocean transit
| From | North Europe | US West Coast | US East Coast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen (Yantian/Shekou) | 35–4227–30 via Suez | 14–18 | 32–38 |
| Xiamen | 36–4128–29 via Suez | 15–19 | 32–37 |
Port-to-port, in days. Door-to-door adds inland haulage, customs and final delivery. Most Asia–North Europe services still sail around the Cape of Good Hope; the range assumes that routing. Some services are returning to Suez from September 2026, which shortens the trip to about the “via Suez” figure.
Related guides
- China Manufacturing Hubs: Which City Makes What (Cluster Map)
- Factory vs Trading Company in China: How to Tell and Which to Use
- Custom Packaging from China: Options, Printing, MOQs and Labels
- How to Negotiate MOQ with Chinese Suppliers
- CE, UKCA, FCC and CPC: Product Certifications for Imports from China
- How to Calculate Landed Cost When Importing from China
Other clusters in Guangdong
- Shenzhen — Consumer electronics
- Dongguan — Electronics manufacturing
- Foshan — Furniture (Lecong, Longjiang)
- Guzhen (Zhongshan) — Decorative lighting and chandeliers
- Guangzhou — Garments and fabrics
- Chaozhou — Sanitary ware (toilets, basins, smart toilets)
- Yangjiang — Kitchen knives and knife sets
- Jieyang — Stainless steel kitchenware and tableware