According to IMARC, the Indian toy market size is expected to reach US$ 4.4 billion by 2032. Let’s delve into potential further steps to invigorate the trade of Indian-made toys.

To regulate the imports and support toy exports, the Quality Control Order (QCO) was implemented from January 2021 that mandates selling of domestically produced or imported toys to comply with specific Indian Standards for safety.

These standards cover various safety aspects like prevention of sharp edges, small parts hazards, flammability and the migration of harmful chemicals. Moreover, the toys must carry the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification mark (ISI Mark).

The enforcement of these standards includes random checks and testing of toy consignments in NABL accredited laboratories.

Important policy steps, like making Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) approval necessary for selling toys and increasing the basic custom duty to 70%, have been crucial in boosting the production of toys made in India.

Government Initiatives to Boost Toy Exports

• Apart from increase in import duties and implementation QCO, the government has taken multiple steps to provide support for creating conducive manufacturing and export ecosystem for the toy industry, some of these are:
• The Government of India developed a comprehensive “National Action Plan” for Toys in 2020 to boost local manufacturing and incentivize toy and handicraft manufacturers to make India the next global hub of toys.
• The plan is implemented in collaboration with 14 Central Ministries/Departments, including Education, Textiles, Railways, Science and Technology and Information and Broadcasting.
• It contains 21 action points across four broad themes – Promoting Trade and Investment, Design and manufacturing of Toys in India, Promoting Indigenous Toys, and Toys as learning resource.
• Mandatory sample testing of each consignment and no permission for sale unless the quality testing is successful.
• In case of failure, the consignment is either sent back or destroyed at the cost of the importer.
• Special provisions are made by BIS to grant license to micro scale units manufacturing toys without testing facility for one year and not to insist on establishing in-house facility. On industry representation this relaxation has been extended for up to 3 years.
• In January 2024, BIS grated 1,454 licenses to domestic manufacturers and 36 licenses to foreign manufacturers for safety of toys.
• Under the recent Free Trade Agreements (FTA) including India-UAE Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and India-Australia Economy Cooperation and Trade Agreement Trade (ECTA), the partner countries are providing zero duty market access for exports of Indian toys.

Export Destinations

• HONG KONG
• UNITED STATES
• RUSSIA
• MEXICO
• UNITED KINGDOM
• CHINA
• GERMANY
• URUGUAY
• PARAGUAY
• POLAND

Companies Importing From India

• GFT GROUP LTD               
• FOREVER TRUE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED             
• DREAM INTERNATIONAL             
• TOYMIX              
• GF INDUSTRIAL LIMITED              
• DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING CO INC    
• SKY DRAGON TOYS LIMITED
• YU RONG COSMETICS PACKAGING LTD 
• PETSMART HOME OFFICE INC

Also Read This:

Business Start Up Process

STEP 1 :- Business Registration

Proprietorship Firm
MSME (Udyam Aadhar)

Partnership Firm
Deed
ROF (Registration of Firm)

LLP (Limited Liability Partnership)
Deed
CIN (Certificate of Incorporation)

Company
MOA
AOA
ROC

STEP 2 :- PAN

Proprietor – Individual (Self)
Partnership Firm – Firm’s Name
LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) – LLP’s Name
Company – Company’s Name

STEP :- 3 GST (Goods & Services Tax)

STEP :- 4 Bank Account (Current A/c)

STEP :- 5 IEC – Importer Exporter Code

STEP :- 6 RCMC – Registration with Export Promotional Bodies (EPC, CB, DA, Etc.)

STEP :- 7 Port Registration (Nearest Port where you source)

ICEGATE Registration

STEP:- 8 COC – Chamber of Commerce

DGFT Registration

STEP: -9 Others – If Any

Documents Mandatory For Export

Pre-Shipment

a. Proforma Invoice / Agreement / Contract
b. Letter of Credit

Post-Shipment

a. Commercial Invoice
b. Packing List
c. B/L / AWB / LR
d. Certificate of Origin
e. Insurance
f. Others (if any)