A Hape International (Ningbo) Ltd workshop. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

Ningbo exported toys worth 1.89 billion yuan ($262.57 million) in the first two months of 2024, marking an increase of 32.3 percent compared to the previous year, as reported by Ningbo Customs.

Notably, exports to the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom all experienced growth rates exceeding 30 percent.

The rising popularity of Ningbo toys in overseas markets primarily stems from local businesses' consistent efforts to enhance the added value of their products. This has been achieved through the development of independent brands and the integration of cultural elements and creativity into their designs.

Mao Saifei, logistics manager of Hape International (Ningbo) Ltd, revealed that their company's toy exports exceeded 1.2 billion yuan during the first two months of this year, more than doubling compared to the same period last year. He credited this success to in-depth research aimed at aligning production and sales with customer demands, as well as the incorporation of more environmentally friendly materials into their independent brand development.

Hape is not the only company to have experienced a significant increase in sales over the same period; Zhejiang Paulinda Toy Manufacturing Co Ltd has also seen an upswing. Wei Guowen, the company's general manager, stated that in the face of intense market competition, they have chosen differentiation over price wars, thereby winning the favor of their customers.

Wei shared, "This year, I have traveled to Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and several other countries to expand our market. We are not only responding to Europe's demand for environmentally friendly products by developing new toy materials but also introducing more distinctive toys and peripherals based on our original IP."

In addition to the efforts of these companies, Ningbo Customs has played a crucial role in supporting the expansion of Ningbo's toy enterprises into international markets. Ying Yina, documentation manager of Ningbo Yinzhou Baiying International Trading Co Ltd, highlighted the assistance provided by Ningbo Customs officers, enabling companies to self-print certificates of origin, leading to more tax exemptions and significantly speeding up customs clearance.