Up to 10 percent of children’s toys in the local markets being sold at low-priced stores known as “2 riyal shops” are imitations of the genuine product, importers and dealers told local media.

The volume of trade in the children’s toy market is estimated at SR1 billion with China being the key exporter according to a wholesale dealer.

He said that some 5 percent of the toys do not adhere to the required health and safety standards despite the efforts of customs officials and companies responsible for inspecting the imported commodities.

He noted that some entities smuggle inferior quality toys into the local market to make a lucrative profit while nearly 50 percent of the customers are unaware of the difference between the imitation and the genuine product. Moreover, they are only interested in the products for their low prices.

The demand for toys generally spikes during the middle and end of the year, notably with the end of the final exams and the approach of the annual summer vacation.

A dealer at Al-Husain Toys Co. said that China is the biggest exporter of toys to the Kingdom followed by Turkey and South Korea. He added that the Saudi market is flooded with fake or unserviceable toys which have entered the country illegally.

Kholoud Qadi, who works in the department entrusted with issuing conformity certificates to imports to the Kingdom, stressed the need to enlighten citizens about purchasing toys and to ensure that the toys carry the safety label of the GCC countries.