In 2023, the European Union experienced a decline in toy exports, while China remained the largest supplier of toys to the EU, accounting for 80% of imports, valued at €5.2 billion.
Overall, the EU imported €6.5 billion worth of toys from countries outside the bloc, marking a €2 billion drop from the previous year. China was the leading supplier, followed by Vietnam, which provided 6%, and the United Kingdom with 2%.
Germany received about 20% of these imports, while France and the Netherlands accounted for 16% and 14%, respectively. In the same year, the EU exported €2.3 billion in toys, reflecting a slight decrease of €0.2 billion from 2022.
Over half of these exports came from the Czech Republic, Germany, and Belgium. The UK was the largest destination for EU toy exports, receiving 30%, followed by Switzerland at 13% and the United States at 10%.
A recent study by Toy Industries of Europe found that 80% of toys bought from third-party sellers on online marketplaces failed to meet EU safety standards, with serious risks such as choking hazards and toxic chemicals.
In response to these concerns, the European Parliament supported a proposal in September aimed at improving toy safety in the EU market. The proposal focuses on reducing the number of unsafe toys and better protecting children from potential risks, including a ban on harmful chemicals.
