🧸 Fashion, beauty and toys
HS Code for Soft Toys in India: Teddy Bears, Plush Toys and BIS
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for soft toys (import)
9503 00
Plush and stuffed toys are toys under heading 9503, even though they're made of fabric. The last two digits depend on electronic features.
Soft toys look like a textile product. They're stitched fabric with polyester filling, often made in the same factories that make cushions and bags. So it's no surprise that suppliers and even some CHAs reach for a textile code.
Importers often ask me whether a teddy bear is a toy or a "made-up textile article". For customs, the answer is clear. For BIS, the answer matters even more.
The usual HS code: 9503 00
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 95 | Toys, games and sports requisites |
| Heading | 9503 | Wheeled toys, dolls, other toys, scale models, puzzles |
| Subheading | 9503 00 | All of the above (one subheading) |
| Tariff item | 9503 00 xx | Split in India's tariff, mainly electronic vs non-electronic toys, and parts |
Heading 9503 covers toys of any material. A teddy bear, a plush unicorn or a stuffed cartoon character is designed to be played with by children, and that decides the heading. The fabric is just what it's made from.
The last two digits depend mainly on whether the toy has electronic functions. A plain plush toy and a soft toy that sings when you press its paw usually end up on different lines.
Why not 6307 90 (other made-up textile articles)?
This is the mix-up I see most with soft toys. Because they're sewn from fabric, 6307 90 looks logical. But the Section XI notes (textiles) exclude toys of Chapter 95. If it's a toy, it leaves the textile chapters completely.
Watch the grey areas though:
- Cushions shaped like animals that are mainly for décor may be argued as cushions (9404), not toys.
- Pet toys are not covered by 9503, because the heading is for toys for children and people, not animals.
- Christmas plush decorations like a Santa for the tree can go to 9505 (festive articles).
What decides the final code
- Electronic features: sound boxes, lights, movement or app connection move it toward the electronic toys line.
- Main purpose: play (9503) vs décor cushion (9404) vs festive decoration (9505).
- Who it's for: children's toy vs pet toy.
- Parts: loose plush skins or filling imported separately for local stuffing may sit on a different line.
Not sure which line your soft toys falls under?
Describe it or snap a photo. EximSetu asks the 2–4 questions that change the code, then gives the 8-digit HS code with reasoning, the duty in rupees and the compliance checklist.
Check my soft toys →How import duty is worked out
Duty is calculated on the assessable value (CIF in rupees): Basic Customs Duty, then the Social Welfare Surcharge on that duty, then IGST on the total. Toy duties have been raised a lot in recent Budgets, and electronic and non-electronic toys may carry different IGST, so check the current rate for your exact line on the day you file.
The quickest way is a lookup for your exact soft toy, or the free import duty calculator.
Compliance checklist for soft toys
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS Toys QCO (ISI mark) | 🔴 Mandatory | Soft toys for children under 14 are covered by the Toys (Quality Control) Order. The manufacturer needs a BIS licence and the toy must carry the ISI mark. Testing is to the IS 9873 series, which includes flammability and small-parts checks. |
| IS 15644 (electric toys) | 🟠 Check | Only if the soft toy has a sound box, lights or any battery-operated function. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer name and address, MRP, net quantity, month and year of import and customer care details on the pack or tag. |
| Plastic packaging EPR | 🟠 Check | If your toys come in plastic bags or blister packs, check EPR registration with CPCB. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Declaring 6307 90 or another textile code for what is clearly a children's toy.
- Buying from a cushion or bag factory that has no BIS toy licence.
- Ignoring small parts. Plastic eyes and noses that come off easily are a common reason soft toys fail testing.
- Mixing toys and pet toys in one shipment with one code.
My advice
Soft toys are a lovely product to sell, but the factory matters more than the design. Make sure the supplier holds a BIS licence for toys before you finalise anything. If your toy has a sound module or lights, check the exact code with a lookup, because that one detail can change the line.
Get the exact code and duty for your soft toys
Every variant is different. Answer 2–4 questions and get the 8-digit code with reasoning, duty in rupees and the compliance checklist in minutes.
Check my soft toys free →Written by
16 years of experience in global logistics
Built EximSetu after 16 years in global logistics, watching shipments get held, reassessed or delayed because of a wrong HS code or a missed compliance step. Every guide here is written from that experience, for the people who actually move cargo.
Frequently asked questions
▸What is the HS code for soft toys in India?
Soft toys and teddy bears fall under heading 9503 00 as toys. India splits it into 8-digit lines, mainly for electronic and non-electronic toys.
▸Are soft toys classified as textiles under Chapter 63?
No. The textile chapters exclude toys of Chapter 95. A stuffed toy made for children to play with is classified under 9503, not 6307.
▸Do imported soft toys need BIS certification?
Yes. Soft toys for children under 14 are covered by the Toys (Quality Control) Order and must carry the ISI mark under a BIS licence.
▸What is the HS code for pet soft toys?
Pet toys are not covered by 9503, which is for toys used by people. They are usually classified by material, so check the exact product with a lookup.
Related HS codes
🧸 Full guide: Importing Toys into India: HS Codes, Duty and Mandatory BIS Certification →This page is general information, not legal advice. The usual code can change with the exact product, and rates and rules change by notification. Always confirm for your exact product with your customs broker or the official notification.