What the CE mark on toys means

Short answer: no CE or UKCA mark means a shop legally cannot sell the toy, no matter how good its condition. This isn't the shop being fussy — it's UK product safety law under the Toy (Safety) Regulations 2011.

Where to look

The mark is usually printed or moulded directly onto the toy itself, or on a permanently attached label — not just on packaging you're likely to have thrown away. Check the underside of plastic toys, the base of soft toys' sewn-in labels, or the battery compartment of anything electronic.

CE vs UKCA

CE marking is the older EU standard; UKCA is the UK's post-Brexit equivalent. The UK government now recognises CE marking indefinitely for toys sold in Great Britain, so a shop can accept either mark — but always check with the specific shop, since individual policies can still be stricter than the legal minimum.

If the mark is missing, or the set's incomplete

• Vintage or handmade toys (pre-dating the marking requirement) are sometimes still accepted by specialist or vintage sellers — but not standard charity shops.
• Missing a piece rather than a mark? A jigsaw or game missing pieces is still a charity-shop no, but try Freecycle or a local "spares and repairs" Facebook group before writing it off.
• Genuinely broken hard plastic toys go in general waste unless your council accepts rigid plastic recycling — check Recycle Now for your nearest option.

Check the shops currently accepting toys before you set off.