The Complete Buyer’s Checklist for Wholesale Chess Sets

Entering the chess set wholesale market is easier when you know exactly which chess boards, chess pieces, and packaging formats fit your channel. This checklist walks you through buyer decisions—target users, professional chess board sizing, materials, weighted vs. unweighted pieces, compliance, logistics, and after-sales—so your first PO lands smoothly.

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Target Users / Channels / Price Bands

Who will use your chess sets determines which chess board format, pieces, and accessories you should pick—and the price you can sustain.

Channel fit (quick map)

• Schools & Clubs: durable vinyl roll-up boards + plastic chess pieces (often weighted); magnetic travel chess sets for tutors/clubs. Entry to mid price.
• Education Retail / Museum Shops: giftable folding chess boards with tidy trays; light-weighted plastic or basic wood pieces. Mid price.
• Hobby / Tournament: professional chess boards (2.25″ squares) + 3.75″ king weighted plastic or club-wood pieces, spare queens. Mid to premium.
• Corporate / Gift: folding wood chess boards, polished wood pieces, custom logo on the set or bag. Premium.
• Travel / eCom Bundles: compact magnetic chess sets, zipper bags, slim cartons for courier. Entry to mid.

Price-band guidance (per set, EXW-style ranges vary by market)

• Entry: plastic pieces + vinyl or small magnetic board; simple box/bag.
• Mid: weighted plastic pieces + folding board; insert tray, spare queens.
• Premium: wood chess pieces + hinged wood board; lined tray, branded bag or sleeve.

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Size / Material / Weighted / Accessories

Choosing the right professional chess board size and piece spec keeps the look consistent and the CBM predictable across your chess set line.

Standard size pairings

• Tournament / Club: 3.75″ King + 2.25″ squares (professional chess board standard).
• School / Classroom: 3.0″ King + 2.0″ squares on vinyl roll-up or folding board.
• Travel / Compact: 2.5″ King + 1.5–1.75″ squares; magnetic folding board.

Practical fit rule

• Aim for square size ≈ 2 × King base diameter so chess pieces don’t crowd the board.

Board materials (choose for your set)

• Vinyl roll-up chess board: toughest for schools; lowest CBM; pairs with plastic pieces.
• Folding wood chess board: premium look; hinge quality matters; add corner protection in the set.
• Magnetic folding board: portable classroom or travel set; check magnet strength and piece weight.

Pieces & weighting

• Plastic unweighted: most economical chess set option, light for air/courier.
• Plastic weighted: “club feel” on any board; adds 20–40% weight per set.
• Wood pieces: higher unit cost and finish checks; match with a wood board for premium bundles.

Accessories that improve the set

• Spare queens (both colors) inside the chess set.
• Bags: drawstring or zip pouch for pieces; tote for board+pieces.
• Trays/Inserts: pulp or blister to keep chess pieces from rattling.
• Notation pad / rules leaflet: simple add-on that elevates the set.
• Add-ons: demo board for teachers, entry chess clock for clubs.

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Compliance / Logistics / After-Sales

Your first chess set wholesale purchase should clear compliance, land safely, and be supported by spares. Decide these points before you issue the PO.

Compliance (by set type and destination)

• Labels: age grading + warnings printed on the chess set box.
• Standards: children’s chess sets typically reference EN71/ASTM/CPSIA labeling; magnetic sets must respect relevant magnet guidelines.
• Traceability: barcode + batch/lot on the set and master carton.
• Materials: declare plastics/wood/paints/adhesives used in the set; confirm any EU REACH concerns if applicable.
  (Always confirm current rules with your lab/import broker; requirements vary by market and whether your chess set is sold to children.)

Logistics & packing (protect the set, lower cost)

• Master carton: standardize units/ctn so every chess set SKU shares the same CBM math.
• Mode: ocean for heavy wood boards; air/courier for compact vinyl/magnetic sets.
• Protection: corner guards for folding boards; bag pieces by color; include a small spare-parts pouch in at least one carton per batch.
• Carton markings: SKU, set name, piece colorway, quantity, and barcode to speed receiving.

After-sales / QC

• AQL & counts: define piece counts per chess set (32 + 2 spare queens) and hinge/finish checks on boards.
• Photo/Video QC: one set per colorway; show board surface, hinge, magnet hold (if magnetic), and piece seams.
• Spare policy: keep a replacement piece pack and 1–2 extra boards per 100 sets to avoid returns.
• Care sheet: include a short cleaning/handling note inside the set to reduce damage claims.

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Copy-Paste Buyer’s Checklist (put this in your PO/RFQ)

1) Product spec (per chess set)

• Board: □ Vinyl roll-up □ Folding wood □ Magnetic folding — size: __ squares: __
• Pieces: □ Plastic unweighted □ Plastic weighted □ Wood — King height: __ — spare queens: □ Yes □ No
• Accessories: □ Piece bag □ Board tote □ Insert tray □ Notation pad □ Rules leaflet □ Clock (optional)
• Branding: □ Box print □ Bag label □ Board logo (subtle)

2) Packaging

• Unit box size/weight: __ × __ × __ cm / __ kg (target)
• Master carton: __ units/ctn; __ × __ × __ cm; __ kg; stacking orientation: __
• Markings: SKU / barcode / colorway on chess set and master carton

3) Compliance

• Destination market(s): __
• Labels on set: age grade, warnings, tracking/batch, barcode
• Testing scope (if needed): EN71 / ASTM / CPSIA / others (list)
• Magnet declaration (if magnetic set): □ Provided

4) Logistics

• Incoterm: □ EXW □ FOB □ CIF □ DDP — Port: __
• Mode: □ Ocean □ Air □ Courier — split plan (if any): __
• Ready date window for chess sets: __ / __
• Palletization: □ Yes □ No — pallet pattern: __

5) QC & After-sales

• AQL: __ / special checks (hinge, magnet hold, piece seams)
• Photo/Video QC before ship: □ Yes □ No
• Spare policy: replacement pieces/boards per 100 sets: __
• Warranty/return handling for sets: __