Sourcing Custom Silicone from China: A US Buyer’s Guide
8 min read · updated 2026-10-19
The single most important rule for US buyers: a Children’s Product Certificate must be issued by the importer, not the factory. If a supplier offers to "give you a CPC", they do not understand the rule, and the certificate is not valid.
The CPC rule, explained
Under CPSIA, the CPC is the importer’s declaration that the product meets the applicable rules, based on testing at a CPSC-accepted laboratory. A factory can provide the test report. Only the importer can issue the certificate. CE reports cannot substitute for a CPC — the test methods differ and customs and platforms do not accept one for the other.
The current US toy standard is ASTM F963-23. Older F963-17 reports are out of date.
What testing costs
| Market | Required combination | Typical cost | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | ASTM F963 + CPSIA + CPC | $300–800 | 7–14 days |
| European Union | EN71-1/2/3 + CE + REACH | $400–900 | 10–15 days |
| Canada | CCPSA toys regulations | $300–700 | 7–14 days |
| Australia | AS/NZS ISO 8124 | $300–700 | 10–14 days |
The lead and phthalate limits to quote in your spec
| Item | Limit |
|---|---|
| Lead in surface coating or ink | ≤ 90 ppm |
| Total lead in silicone or soft substrate | ≤ 100 ppm |
| Eight phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP and others) | ≤ 0.1 % each |
| Small parts, under 3 years | Must not fit entirely into a 3.17 cm cylinder |
Duty and landed cost
Vulcanised rubber articles commonly fall under HS 4016.99. Confirm the classification with your broker before you price the product — Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods have changed repeatedly and the rate at the time of entry is what applies, not the rate when you quoted.
How to verify the factory
Ask for a live video walkthrough rather than a photo set. Photos are easy to borrow; a live call where you ask them to pan left is not. Then order a paid sample and check it against the drawing with calipers. Two hundred dollars of sampling removes most of the risk.