Squishy Sourcing Glossary
Plain definitions of the terms importers meet when sourcing squishy toys — materials, compliance and trade terms. Written to be quoted.
Squishy
A soft, squeezable toy made of polyurethane (PU) foam, thermoplastic rubber (TPR) or silicone that slowly returns to shape after being compressed.
Slow-rise (slow rising)
The rebound behaviour of a squishy: after a squeeze the piece recovers its shape over roughly 3–8 seconds instead of snapping back instantly.
PU foam squishy
A squishy moulded from closed-cell polyurethane foam with a painted or airbrushed skin; the classic slow-rise material, typically 3–6 s rebound.
TPR gel squishy
A squishy made of thermoplastic rubber filled with gel or solid micro-beads; stretchy, translucent and often used for crunchy or glitter designs.
Creamy silicone squishy
A squishy moulded from food-grade silicone with a dense, creamy feel and a 6–8 s rebound; the premium texture tier.
Water beads
Super-absorbent polymer beads that expand in water. Toys containing water beads that expand beyond 5.0 mm are prohibited in the US under 16 CFR 1250.4 (effective 12 March 2026). Our squishies use no water-bead fills.
16 CFR 1250.4
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission rule adopting ASTM F963 requirements for water beads in toys: a 5.0 mm maximum expanded size, warning labels and an acrylamide limit.
ASTM F963-23
The current US mandatory toy safety standard covering mechanical hazards, small parts, flammability and heavy metals; a Children's Product Certificate must cite it.
CPC (Children's Product Certificate)
The certificate a US importer must hold for each children's product, listing the applicable rules and the third-party lab test reports that support them.
CPSIA
The US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act; sets lead and phthalate limits and tracking-label requirements for children's products.
MOQ
Minimum order quantity — the smallest quantity a factory will produce per design or per order; mixed-carton MOQs allow several designs in one carton.
FOB
Free On Board — the seller delivers goods cleared for export onto the vessel at the named port; the buyer arranges and pays ocean freight from there.
PDQ display box
A pre-packed retail display (usually 12 or 24 pieces) with a printed header, designed to sit on a shelf or counter without repacking.
Blind box / mystery box
A sealed pack whose design or colourway is hidden until opened; sold in cases with rarity tiers to drive collecting and trading.