India has slapped a ban on import of toys from China.  Wheeled toys, dolls, stuffed toys, toy guns, wooden and metal toys, musical instruments, electric trains, puzzles and many other varieties of Chinese toys are popular all across India because these are cheap and easy to maintain.

Imposed from Friday, January 23, 2009, the ban notified by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, will remain valid for six months.

The notification did not give any reasons for the ban but it comes in the wake of concern safety of Chinese toys. Local media reports have said Chinese toys were found to be toxic.

Officials also said the ban order was a sequel to concern voiced by domestic toy industry over   cheap imports from China. There has been a surge in the import of handicraft and toys by Rs 1,000 crore during April -November 2008.

The Toys Manufacturers Association of India, however, said it is pleasantly surprised by the decision of the Commerce Ministry to prohibit shipments of cheap toys from China.

’We welcome the decision. It is good for the industry’, the Association President Raj Kumar said.

The ban may encourage smuggling of Chinese toys through the Nepal border.