How Chinese kids' sizes work
In kids' rows, the size number is almost always a height. A garment labelled 100, 110 or 120 is designed for a child about that many centimetres tall, and the label may add a second figure for chest or a width code. Some sellers print an age as well, such as "3–4Y", but age ranges are looser than heights and vary from shop to shop. When both appear, trust the height.
The trouble is that a spreadsheet row seldom shows a chart. It gives a title, a price and a photo, so you need to find the seller's chart in the listing images. Then do the sum yourself: measure the child, compare with the chart and choose one size up if the child falls between two. Children outgrow clothes quickly, and a garment that is a little long in the sleeve is better than one that is tight on day one.
Keep a note of the 5-day exchange window. The return window in KakoBuy's help centre closes 120 hours after stock-in, so size has to be checked on day one. Our size sheet CSV works for children's garments too: measure a top that fits and compare it with the seller's numbers.
Order by the child's height in centimetres, and go one size up when in doubt.
Height-to-size table (approximate)
This table pairs the height-style labels on Chinese listings with rough ages. It is our approximation from common growth patterns, so it is useful for orientation but not for final sizing. Children differ widely, and a seller's own chart always overrides it.
| Label (height, cm) | Rough age | Typical use of the size |
|---|---|---|
| 66–80 | Baby, 6–18 months | Bodysuits, sleepsuits |
| 90 | 1.5–2 years | Toddler tees, joggers |
| 100 | About 3 years | Tees, hoodies, leggings |
| 110 | 4–5 years | Tees, trousers, light jackets |
| 120 | 6–7 years | School-age basics |
| 130 | 8–9 years | Hoodies, jeans |
| 140 | 10–11 years | Youth sizes |
| 150 | About 12 years | Close to small adult |
| 160 | 13–14 years | Often fits like adult XS |
Two practical notes. Shoes use a different system, with insole length in millimetres, so read the shoes page before ordering footwear for a child. And for the smallest sizes, check fabric labels for fibre content and any scratchy trims at the neck, as babies' skin is more sensitive than adults'. KakoBuy's inspectors read the size from the label and tag but do not check colour differences or tiny issues, so a close-up photo of the label is worth ¥2.
Use the table to pick a range, then confirm with the seller's chart before paying.
Drawstrings, small parts and the safety checks sellers skip
Children's products are regulated more tightly than adult goods, and a cheap marketplace listing is under no obligation to explain how it complies. We give only the general picture and name the regulators. The details change, so check the CPSC and European Commission pages before relying on this summary.
- Drawstrings and cords: regulators in the US (CPSC) and the EU treat cords at the neck and hood of children's clothing as a strangulation risk and restrict them. Prefer hoodies with elastic or no hood cord and zips without long pull tapes.
- Small parts: buttons, sequins, bows, decorative beads and detachable trim can come loose and be swallowed. Pull-test them yourself on arrival, and avoid heavily decorated items for babies.
- Flammability and chemicals: both markets have rules for children's textiles and toys. A listing is not proof of compliance.
- Labels: in the EU, toys should carry CE marking; US children's products are expected to meet CPSC requirements and may need a children's product certificate from the seller.
What does KakoBuy's QC cover? Inspectors look at appearance, model, colour, size and big damaged areas, per the help centre; they do not test function on electronics and they do not certify safety. Terms also put customs and restricted-goods risk on the user. That makes a seller's safety mark a claim you cannot verify from a warehouse photo. See our QC photo guide for what the photos can show. For babies and under-threes, buying from a local retailer is the more cautious choice, since returns and recalls are easier to handle at home.
Skip hood cords and loose trims on small children's clothes; no warehouse photo proves a toy is safe.
Battery toys and lines that accept them
A toy that lights up, plays music or moves runs on batteries, and batteries restrict shipping. KakoBuy's estimator labels its lines accordingly. For the US it lists the USPS Tax-Free Line (Battery Accepted) and a US Tax-Free (Actual Weight)-electrified line; for the UK and Germany it lists lines with "electrified" in the name; and EUB lines say "Batteries and Perfume Not Allowed". If a toy has a lithium cell, a removable battery pack or a built-in cell you charge by cable, you should expect to use a battery-accepting line, which can cost more than a plain parcel line. The electronics page goes through those lines.
Button cells deserve a separate warning for any child under school age: a swallowed coin-sized cell is an emergency. Look for toys that lock the battery door with a screw and avoid listings that are vague on battery type. A toy that arrives with loose spare cells in the bag is a reason to remove them before the child sees it.
Remember too that the warehouse does not try the toy; for electronics it only counts accessories and looks for visible damage. Test it yourself the day it arrives, inside the 5-day exchange window if you want an exchange to be possible.
Choose toys with a screwed battery door, and pick a battery-accepting line for anything that needs power.
Planning around growth and timing
Children's wardrobes have a deadline that adult hauls do not: the child keeps growing while the parcel travels. Add the stages from KakoBuy's help pages. Taobao sellers ship within 3 to 7 days, the parcel reaches the Xiamen warehouse in 1 to 7 working days depending on the seller's region, and the parcel then ships within 24 hours of submission, followed by the line's transit time, such as 7 to 13 days on the USPS Tax-Free Line. In total that is roughly two to four weeks from a calm order to a doorstep, and it is longer around events when sellers are busy.
For a child who grows quickly, that gap justifies a size up from today's measurement, not the current fit. For seasonal items, order a month ahead. Free storage of 100 days lets you hold early arrivals and submit one combined parcel, but do not leave it to the last week: items not submitted after the free period move to a paid cooling-off stage.
Order one size up and a month early, because the child will be bigger on arrival day.
Light-parcel cost example: three tees and a pair of trousers
Kids' garments weigh little, which makes a good use of the lowest price bracket. Take a hypothetical order of three children's tees at ¥30 each (100 g each) and one pair of trousers at ¥40 (150 g): 450 g and ¥130 of goods, about $18.20 at ¥1 ≈ $0.14. A ¥8 declaration adds $1.12. Official estimator lines for 500 g, read on 12 October 2026 with no dimensions:
| Destination | Line (transit as listed) | Shipping, 500 g | Goods + ¥8 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | UK HG dedicated line PT, listed at 7 to 19 days | $9.84 | $19.32 | $29.16 |
| Canada | Canada HD Line, listed at 7 to 18 days | $13.60 | $19.32 | $32.92 |
| Germany | Europe DHL Line, Express, listed at 8 to 12 days | $15.90 | $19.32 | $35.22 + €3 |
| Spain | Spain CTT Line, listed at 7 to 15 days | $18.40 | $19.32 | $37.72 + €3 |
| United States | USPS Tax-Free Line, listed at 7 to 13 days | $20.95 | $19.32 | $40.27 |
The parcel has 50 g of headroom below the 500 g quote, so one more light piece costs nothing extra in shipping, though remember that socks and underwear cannot be returned. Sending the same goods as two separate parcels would pay the minimum twice: for the UK, 2 × $9.84 = $19.68 instead of $9.84. Batching into one parcel and letting the free storage period (100 days) do its work is the main saving. Use the storage page for the dates. EU buyers see KakoBuy's €3 parcel charge added at checkout, per its notice of 23 June 2026. US buyers choosing a non-tax-free route clear customs themselves; see the USA page. If you would like help picking a row, our WhatsApp QR is on the contact page, and you pay per order, not in advance.
Kids' parcels are light, so fill the bracket and avoid sending two small parcels when one will do.
Questions buyers ask
What size should I order if a listing says 110 or 120?
Those numbers are usually the height of the child in centimetres, so 110 suits a child about 110 cm tall. Measure your child barefoot against a wall, then compare with the seller's chart and choose the next size up if the child is between sizes. Our table below links heights to rough ages, but it is approximate and sellers differ.
Are drawstrings on children's hoodies a problem?
They can be. Safety regulators in the US and the EU treat cords at the neck and hood of children's clothing as a strangulation hazard, and rules limit them. KakoBuy's QC does not check compliance with those rules. Look for hoodies with no hood drawstring, or ask for a close-up of the neck and waist cords through a ¥2 personalised photo.
Do toys from a KakoBuy spreadsheet meet EU or US safety rules?
You cannot assume it. The EU expects CE marking under the Toy Safety Directive, and the US expects toys to meet CPSC requirements. A mark shown on a listing is the seller's claim, not a test result. KakoBuy's QC covers appearance, quantity and size, and its terms leave customs risk with the buyer. For young children, buy toys from local retailers.
Can I return children's clothes if they don't fit?
Within limits. KakoBuy takes return or exchange requests for 5 days (120 hours) from stock-in, provided the seller accepts returns and the item is resalable; the first of each type per calendar month is free. Underwear and socks are excluded, as are items with tags removed. Check the fit on the day the warehouse photos arrive.
How much does a small kids' parcel cost to ship?
KakoBuy's estimator showed 500 g at $9.84 to the UK, $13.60 to Canada, $15.90 to Germany, $18.40 to Spain and $20.95 to the US on 12 October 2026. A 450 g parcel of three tees and one pair of trousers fits that bracket. Splitting it into two parcels would pay the minimum twice.
Can I send battery-powered toys through KakoBuy?
Only on lines that accept batteries. KakoBuy's estimator lists lines such as USPS Tax-Free Line (Battery Accepted) for the US, and others named electrified, while EUB lines say batteries are not allowed. Button cells are also a swallowing risk for small children, so read the listing for a secured battery compartment before ordering.