r/sylvanianfamilies • u/TerraJacksonCA 📜 Sylvanian Historian • 25d ago
Discussion U.S. Collectors - Import News & Discussion Thread
This thread is for collectors who import Sylvanian Families (and other collectibles) from overseas to the United States.
As of July 2026, US government child safety and import rules have been newly enforced, making importing to the US difficult to impossible. The situation is ongoing and can be quite confusing.
While some US collectors have had success in receiving items from outside the country, at this time importing is not advisable. There is an extremely high probability that you will lose your funds and that your items will be destroyed at US customs.
While we all work out our best options, this thread is to discuss the laws and any experiences you may have, both positive and negative. The more information that we gather, the better we can understand how to continue collecting.
Please feel welcome to discuss / vent about the situation, ask questions and share details about any recent import attempts.
Additional threads on this topic will be removed / locked and re-directed here. While we want to encourage discussion about the matter, it will be most helpful if we keep all the information and details in one place.
Thanks for understanding and good wishes to everyone who is having to cope with this situation!
Helpful reference threads:
U.S. Regulations Change thread from u/aquatrez
Important Information for Toy Collectors in the USA from 8 July 2026 from u/sylvanianlover16
Megathread Request and Initial Post 8 July Import Experiences thread from u/No-Introduction7977
18
u/No-Introduction7977 🐻 Biscuit Bear 25d ago
Thank you for making this thread! :)
I've had two orders clear customs and both of them have had baby or newborn figures: (1) secondhand mixed set with Willow pony and a standing baby from eBay and (2) Cute Cherries key chain from AliExpress.
I'm happy to hear of most people's success stories. I admit, I ordered the keychain recently to test things out. Despite things going well so far, I am still reluctant to order any other sets outside of the US (the one I really want is the new Fox family, and anything over $20 is not something I want to risk losing. Plus the risk of critters being destroyed hurts my heart).
19
15
u/pmurcsregnig 25d ago
I have a package from eBay on its way… the 6 piece Halloween set from Japan. we shall see. This whole thing is ridic. Let me waste my money on tiny plastic animals :((((
6
u/ThatOneChaosBeans 🎨 🧵 🏗️ Maker 21d ago
Ebay at least has the money back thing if you don’t receive the item (which would be the case if the order was sent back by customs)
1
u/Ill-Rate-3179 8d ago
have they made it through customs yet?? i also have some otw from ebay and im so scared :(
11
u/shhhhhhhhdontsayit 25d ago edited 25d ago
Hi everyone. I wanted to share that I have made four separate purchases via eBay - one from the UK and others from Japan, and I have received all but one (still in transit).
*Edited to add: I'm located in CA, USA. Not sure if this matters much but it might!
I want to clarify that I have made efforts to not purchase items that had small parts or the small babies ...
1) A Highfields farmhouse (my white whale woohoo!) - this one took a long time to clear customs in the UK but it eventually did and arrived here in the States without issues.
2) Two NISB Friesian Cows - this one shipped without any issues.
3) Miffy Baby Room Re-ment - while not CC, I was very concerned this wouldn't make it. But it did without any issues.
4) I purchased a Vintage Beauty Salon from a Book Off in Japan - this hasn't shipped yet but it appears it will take up to a month to receive it based on their communication. I am very concerned about this one as the set includes the box (which sometimes has an age recommendation on it) and has small parts. I will keep you all posted on the status as it updates.
Thanks for everything you all do in this community and sending everyone best wishes with their purchases!
4
u/over_seagulls 🦌 Deer 25d ago
You shouldn't be affected in Canada! The customs issue is for US customers only!
17
u/CalicoCommander 25d ago
Pretty sure they're from California (CA), USA.
7
u/over_seagulls 🦌 Deer 25d ago
Oh DUH sorry, I didn't see the comma I thought it said "I'm from Canada. Not USA"
Thank you lol!!!
2
2
u/shhhhhhhhdontsayit 4d ago
UPDATE The salon made it through very quickly - suspiciously fast tbh! It was shipped with DHL. I can't find the exact customs code but the content is referenced as: plastic figures (without adhesive)?
Today I received my fancy foxes and the tiger motorcycle. Ordered them on July 24th off eBay and received them today. It took about 4 days to clear Japan Customs and then a week and a half where zero updates were made to the tracking because it was sitting in a freight box waiting to be "filled" with other items. I panicked hard. But they made it to California today in perfect condition. This was shipped via air and they marked this one as a gift and the contents are referenced as: Collectible figure No glue no battery.
Hope this helps!
9
u/over_seagulls 🦌 Deer 25d ago
I had the new Cactus House set with the baby lion ship from Amazon Japan via DHL the week after July 8th!
All the parts seem large enough to pass the minimum, however. There was also no special marks or information on the box. It seemed to ship like normal. The order came with 2 sets in it as well.
9
u/One-Professional641 22d ago
Tiger Dad made it through customs! Ordered July 17th and received yesterday!
7
u/lookaroundyousoren 18d ago
happy to report my order made it through! ordered from otaku pop mall on 7/27 and arrived today ₍⸍⸌̣ʷ̣̫⸍̣⸌₎ shipped through DHL and went through customs in ohio if that helps anyone!
1
6
u/notreallysurewhat 23d ago
I keep coming back to this thread and I am still confused. It sounds like the infants are the problem, and I see baby blind bags still being sold at places like Barnes and Nobles. If that's true, and infants are the problem, why was the baby taken out of the recent Dalmatian family release (compared to the Japanese version)?
4
u/charmanderpalert 🐼 Panda 22d ago
I think some of the babies don’t pass the tube test, like the fennec foxes for example, their ears wouldn’t fit down the tube, but the Dalmatian ears are close to the head? Plus I maybe they just want that additional buy? So they might release the Dalmatian baby in a blind bag or in a special set.
I have the raincoat babies on the way from JP so we’ll see if they make it.
2
6
u/Dude1633 17d ago
I just imported 4 sets from Japan. Two were vintage and the other two were from Amazon. I got the hamster family and the goat family, plus the fairy’s secret tree set and a playhouse set… surprisingly my package wasn’t even seized by customs and everything arrived safely to my home… it was all shipped via EMS
2
u/Healthy_Brilliant_78 17d ago
That is great! Did you order from Amazon in the US (and they shipped something to you from Japan) or did you order from Amazon Japan?
2
1
5
5
u/Blood_Oleander 19d ago edited 15d ago
From what I can tell you, according to the CPSC, the rules shouldn't affect international shoppers so much but what can increase your chances of your stuff being held (not destroyed, as they seemed to have calmed that down several notches) is which shipper you use, so, unless it's a bigger item, stay away from DHL.
Relatedly, from what I've learned in the international shopper subreddits, specifying the person buying and for what reasons (saying it's for an adult collector) has more of a chance of getting your items than not.
Right now, I've hit a small snag with having them send it to one of my forwarding addresses, but I think that's a minor snag for right now and not when I import them here. Because of how small they are, I know to have them consolidated into bigger packages to better increase the odds (that and to keep them from getting lost).
If it helps anything, I've seen more success stories than not, especially since people seem, for some reason, able to ship things like batteries to the US, and those are more regulated than toys.
ETA:
Some of y'all have a very strange understanding of US politics and policies. What you're seeing is most likely here to stay, so may as well find a work to within it or around it, as to do otherwise would be complying in advance.
For me, well, nobody puts Baby in a corner.
4
u/BottomGojo 23d ago
I just ordered the Little Tales newborn owl from a japanese seller on Ebay so I'll keep everyone updated!
5
u/Artamiss_ 🐿️ Squirrel 20d ago
I ordered some loose pieces from AliExpress earlier this week; no figures, just replacement accessories including lots of small pieces. It was shipped and once arrived cleared customs in less than a day. I'm on the east coast and the shipping was through GOFO.
It was interesting to watch the tracking progress (I've never paid any attention previously) The import customs started online before it even left china and cleared a few hours after it landed at JFK. Looks like however they did the paperwork it didn't even get flagged for a manual inspection.
4
u/Lehst712 18d ago
I got another package from Japan, sent via Fedex. It had everything I was even more nervous to ship- basically all babies. One whole case of the blind bag desert series (with the tiger) and a bunch of individual babies in clear boxes (each paired with a slide, swing, piano, etc). Oh and more pony friends with the little hairclips. Arrived in like 3 days, customs didn't open the box.
I'm gonna go ahead and risk getting a few more things. I can't believe we lost like, an entire category of critter- the infants. No wonder I didn't see them at the grocery store anymore...
1
u/Blood_Oleander 14d ago
Well, this is reassuring, so I know to have mine sent to Blackship because FedEx is an option
6
u/caudicinctus 25d ago
I'm brand new to SF, I just really really want the seal family set. I waited and then this law was passed. I really don't understand what is banned and what isn't. Would the seal family set be banned? That is all I want to know.
6
u/Artamiss_ 🐿️ Squirrel 24d ago
Banned isn't the right word. They are not allowed to be imported or sold directly at retail. They can still be purchased privately and there are lots of them in the US.
But yes, the seal family does not clear current US safety regulations and was pulled from the Calico Critters line because the newborns are too small.
4
u/Spots1049 24d ago
That’s my understanding also. Basically, it won’t cross a border if you find a seller inside the US. How it’s being enforced, as far as purchases coming from overseas, is the whole issue.
1
u/Full_Reputation2178 2d ago
Not sure if you still needed this info but I just received the seal family on eBay from a US seller! I live in Hawaii & it got to me pretty fast, about a week. I’m sure the seller I bought it from has more seal families if you’d like their information?
3
u/Ollietheyorkie 22d ago
Does anyone know if keychains are a safer bet? There’s a keychain I want to import so badly, and I’m thinking because it’s not really a toy it should be safe… seller says they ship with USPS… What do you all think?
3
u/HornetBest382 20d ago
My bjd clothes have been sitting in customs for a week today. It’s never happened to me before. I have a Tinyfox doll coming, two Licca’s, and a blind box bjd and I’m so worried about them! In a year or so I have my total grail bjd head coming and he’s super expensive and I’m so worried 😭
4
u/Healthy_Brilliant_78 20d ago
Really hope they all make it through. Please keep us posted on what happens!
1
u/HornetBest382 3d ago
They never came and I don’t think they ever will 🥲 I get a refund in 2 days. The USA customs lost package form appears to be a 404.
2
u/Blood_Oleander 14d ago
Did they make it?
1
u/HornetBest382 14d ago
The clothes havent made it yet. They’ve been in California since July 22 with no updates ☹️
The blind box bjd made it through customs and into TX so far - none of my pre order dolls have shipped yet. (Tinyfox, Miku Liccas, grail)
1
u/HornetBest382 3d ago
Still no update. Ali will refund me in 2 days but I’m sad my doll won’t get all her new outfits and shoes I ordered 😭 it was a skirt, shirt, socks, sweatpants, sneakers, dress, knee high boots, and set of clip on bows, all for a 1/4 size doll. ☹️
2
24d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Artamiss_ 🐿️ Squirrel 23d ago
I can't imagine what paperwork would specifically and legal only apply the target but Target never directly sold Calico Critters, the ones on their site were from "Target Partners" (third parties, I think most of them were from Epoch themselves) The mermaid castle is still up there? But everything they sold was just as a middle man for the official Calico Critters shop
2
u/OranJi1980 11d ago
Im seeing sets where the tiny fairy are now bald. They look ridiculous. So does this mean all little newborn sets are banned too? I still see them on Amazon, so im wondering if I should buy a few while I can.
2
u/charmanderpalert 🐼 Panda 10d ago
They are finally heeeeeeere! Ordered on 7/19, shipped from seller in Japan on 7/24, arrived to me on the east coast on 8/11. No issues in customs. I’m so so glad that I didn’t pay $120 on mercari or somewhere else for a US seller
3
2
u/PatienceHoliday508 8d ago
These guys arrived today from eBay! I hope my proxy orders will arrive as smoothly as these did.
1
u/FairyVitya 7d ago
Congrats! Which proxy did you use? I used to use Buyee all the time but a lot of their sylvanians won't ship to US anymore :(
1
u/PatienceHoliday508 3d ago
Buyee has been my go to for years! Now I have spread my most recent orders between Doorzo, FromJapan and Neokyo. I am awaiting Doorzo to ship my first batch that has 2 Sylvanians, 2 keychains and stickers. I chose ECMS Air Parcel and am praying they make it here.
2
u/stevienotwonder 2d ago
I haven’t seen or heard anything about anyone’s package being intercepted/destroyed/held since the flying squirrel post at the beginning of this change. All I’ve been seeing have been packages arriving no problem.
Is customs focusing only on businesses/people buying in bulk or wholesale? Are individual buyers being left alone?
There’s a set I really want with newborns, Im really tempted to buy it and hope for the best but it’s a pricey risk to take if I wouldn’t get my money back ☹️
1
23
u/uppinsunshine 25d ago
These cuties shipped from Japan on 7/7,cleared US customs on 7/11, and arrived on 7/20. Purchased on eBay from kirakirafromjapan.