Buying trampolines and climbing frames from China
Before ordering, agree the intended ages and use, obtain a model-specific installation plan, check anchoring and fall protection, and require an assembly trial using packed production goods. Confirm replacement safety parts by part code and compatibility. These checks can be coordinated in China by Cambridge China Bridge.
Define the users and the exact model
State whether the equipment is for a domestic garden or a shared, commercial or public setting. Ask for the intended ages, user abilities, permitted user weight, simultaneous users and supervision instructions. Have a competent product safety specialist identify the applicable assessment and testing for that use and destination. A supplier’s description of equipment as suitable for children is too vague to approve.
For toys supplied in Great Britain, safety must account for intended and foreseeable use, bearing in mind children’s behaviour. Match the assessment and reports to the actual frame, net, padding, climbing attachments and fixings being ordered. Ask the supplier to explain the basis for the age range. Our toy safety guide covers the wider importer checks.
Get an installation plan, including anchoring
Request a dimensioned layout showing the assembled footprint, surrounding clear space, overhead clearance, access route and movement of swings or other attachments. Compare it with the proposed garden, including fences, walls, branches, paths and nearby equipment. Ask the supplier to distinguish the equipment dimensions from the total installation area. Hold approval if the required space is unclear.
Ask which ground conditions the anchoring design supports and what installation work it needs. Confirm the anchor type, position, fixing method and whether the kit is included. Obtain instructions for checking anchors and for wind, storms and seasonal storage. Do not accept generic ground stakes as evidence that the chosen model suits the site; resolve unsuitable ground with the supplier and installer.
Check fall protection as a complete system
For a trampoline, inspect the enclosure net, entrance closure, attachment points, pole padding and coverage over springs and frame edges. Ask how gaps between the mat, padding and net are controlled. Request evidence for the supplied combination, including outdoor ageing of safety materials. A photograph of a net does not establish the performance of the assembled enclosure.
For a climbing frame, request the fall-height information and surfacing specification for every play area, including slide exits and swing movement. Ask for the required surface extent, installation method, drainage and maintenance. Have the proposed surface checked against that specification rather than assuming lawn is adequate. Include checks for trapping gaps, protruding fixings and clothing snag points in the product assessment.
Require assembly evidence from packed goods
Arrange an assembly trial using inspector-selected packed production goods and the instructions supplied to customers. Record unpacking, the parts inventory, assembly sequence, tools, awkward steps and final safety checks. Photograph critical joints, anchors, padding and enclosure attachments. Ask the assembler to record missing parts, ambiguous diagrams and opportunities to fit a component incorrectly. Our assembly instructions guide explains how to structure the trial.
For toys supplied in Great Britain, information about hazards, risks and avoiding them must be marked in English and be clearly visible, legible, understandable and accurate. Check the English instructions against the supplied model. Use a laboratory for safety performance evidence; assembly video supports the review but cannot establish everything a safety test examines.
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Agree replacement parts before releasing the order
Create a replacement safety-parts list covering nets, padding, entrance closures, suspension components, anchors, structural connectors and relevant fixings. Record part codes, drawings, materials and compatible model revisions. Ask how customers will identify and obtain the correct part, what stock will be held and what happens if production stops. Obtain replacement instructions and clear criteria for taking worn or damaged equipment out of use.
Approve a replacement sample for fit and function, and require review before changes to safety components or their materials. Tie shipment release to resolved assembly findings, matching safety evidence, complete retail packs and an agreed replacement-parts arrangement. Use our pre-payment checklist for the wider payment and shipment checks.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check the age range on a Chinese trampoline?
Ask for the basis of the age range, user weight, permitted users and supervision instructions. Match these to the exact model’s safety assessment and reports before approving labels or sales copy.
How much garden space does a climbing frame need?
Obtain the model’s dimensioned installation plan. Check the footprint, clear space, overhead clearance, moving attachments and fall-surfacing area against the actual site.
Is grass enough under a climbing frame?
Do not assume it is. Obtain the fall-height information and surfacing specification, then have the proposed ground checked for suitability, installation and maintenance.
What spare parts should I agree before buying a trampoline?
Agree compatible nets, padding, entrance closures, suspension parts, anchors and fixings by part code. Confirm stock, ordering arrangements, replacement instructions and support if the model is discontinued.