Lots of people have been saying that there isn’t enough information around the changes to CPSC’s Small Parts Ban being shared on the Reddit pages, so I have attached the information I’ve shared on other social media platforms. I have spent a lot of time reading the documents provided by CPSC, so I am happy to answer any questions if anyone is unsure of anything.

CPSC’s Small Parts Ban 16 C.F.R. part 1501
Whilst the small parts ban that has been in place for many years was originally applicable to toys intended for use by children under 3, an amendment to Section 106 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) now requires all toys intended for children under 12 (some under 14) are compliant - 16 C.F.R. § 1250.2.

Compliance Small Parts Cylinder Test
Toy companies are required to submit all products for sale within the USA for compliance testing in line with with ASTM F963-23 at CPSC-approved labs. Any toy that can fully fit inside a small parts cylinder without force or compression at any orientation will no longer be able to be sold or imported into the USA.

Items that do not fit into the cylinder will be subject to a “use and abuse” tests of 16 CFR 1500.51 and 1500.52. Any small items that come loose through these tests will have to be tested using the small parts cylinder test as if it is a toy on its own. Each product has to be third-party tested, costing toy companies between $180 and $3,000 per product to produce a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC).

CPC Requirements
- A CPC is only valid for a particular product lot or batch tested. If any small change is made, retesting is required.

- CPCs must be electronically supplied via the CPSC eFiling system.

- Second-hand items being sold within the USA will be exempt. However, items with product recalls, such as Calico Critters bottles and dummies by Epoch, are illegal to re-sell and may get you banned from online marketplaces.

- At present, brand new items and many second-hand items that are not tested will be destroyed by U.S. Border and Customs Protection.

Internationally Imported Items from 8th July 2026

- Due to updates in customs reporting, HTS Codes must be supplied on customs forms detailing the exact toy category an item falls into. HTS Codes that are subject to compliance will automatically be flagged by customs systems (ACE).

- Whilst technically second-hand items in small, “normally-imported” quantities are meant to be exempt, if no CPC is provided, the item is detained for testing and destroyed if it fails. Therefore second-hand items will be affected.

- It is best to assume these rules will apply to all items, particularly if factory-sealed, regardless of production year.

Key Points for Consumers who Import
Using incorrect HTS Codes is illegal. Both accidental and intentional use of incorrect codes can count as customs fraud, resulting in delays, extra fees, and can carry criminal penalties. Be honest to remain compliant.

Until further information has been provided, the best practice is to not order Sylvanian Families from abroad and cancel any outstanding orders.

If you have a parcel already on the way, check with the seller if they will refund you if your item is destroyed. As customs compliance is the responsibility of the buyer, refunds will not be automatic from many companies.* *Most reputable retailers will have stopped allowing shipments to the USA until more information is provided, but individual sellers and smaller businesses may not be aware of the updated compliance regulations.

Implications for Calico Critters Releases
Any Calico Critters products for sale in the USA now have to be tested to ensure they meet compliance. This means there will be:
- no beads, buttons or gems on clothes
- no more newborn/infant figures
- replacing/removal of baby figures without wide heads (except for some keychains)
- the merging of multiple sets with less accessories & often no babies
- price rises to cover the cost of the compliance certification for each product.

The one small benefit is that the USA will now have a range of exclusive sets that cannot be bought elsewhere (albeit, with repeated use of some of the baby figures, particularly: Fennec foxes, Bubblebrook elephants, Highbranch giraffes, Willow deer, Outback koalas, and Dale sheep).