Let’s Talk About Those Tempting Online Deals
If you don't receive newsletters from NABAS supplier member Go International, you'll have missed out on some very important information on product sourcing plus the implications of inflating balloons provided by your customers. George Oustayiannis has very kindly given us permission to use the content from his newsletter as we feel it is a really important read for all our members.
If you have any questions, please do contact either info@nabas.co.uk or george@gointernational.co.uk.
Tempting Online Deals: Are They Too Good to Be True?
You’ve seen them, balloons and party supplies on Temu, AliExpress, Shein, even eBay and Amazon, at prices that seem too good to be true. And we all LOVE a bargain right?
But here’s what most people don’t realise: that “bargain” could cost you far more than you think!
The Hidden Cost of Cheap Imports
One UK importer was fined over £35,000 for selling unsafe toys containing toxic chemicals. And the same rules apply to balloons and party goods.
Because when you buy directly from a seller outside the UK, even through Amazon or eBay, you become the importer. That means the full legal responsibility for product safety, compliance, and certification now sits on your shoulders. The buck doesn’t stop with the seller, it stops with you.
And this isn’t just about red tape or paperwork. It’s about protecting children’s health and your business’s reputation.
The Real Dangers of Cheap Balloons
Cheap latex balloons can contain dangerous levels of nitrosamines and carcinogenic chemicals that are heavily restricted in the UK. Some imported balloons have been found with up to nine times the legal limit. These aren’t theoretical risks, they’re real chemical hazards. Question…. Have you ever seen a child put a balloon in their mouth?
Foil Balloons Aren’t Exempt
Latex isn’t the only concern either. Foil balloons aren’t exempt from scrutiny.
Have you ever checked whether the inks and coatings used are compliant with UK regulations? Many low-cost imports use pigments and metallic inks that may contain banned substances, including lead and other heavy metals.
When products like these end up in children’s hands, the consequences can go far beyond a simple business mistake, they can become a serious health and safety issue.
Fake Compliance Marks: A Serious Warning
Then there’s the issue of compliance marks. You might see a “CE” symbol and assume the product is safe — but not all CE marks are genuine. Many overseas manufacturers use a fake CE logo that actually stands for China Export. It looks almost identical to the real European mark but means nothing, and offers zero safety assurance.
Since Brexit, the official UK compliance mark is UKCA (United Kingdom Conformity Assessed). If the seller can’t provide a genuine Declaration of Conformity, you’re legally responsible if anything goes wrong, from customer complaints to Trading Standards investigations.
Yes, you can apply for a UKCA mark yourself, we’ve done it here at GO and as a guideline, it can cost anywhere from a few hundred pounds to £5,000 depending on the tests required.
⚠️ When Customers Bring Their Own Balloons
Now, here’s where many decorators get caught out. If a customer brings you balloons they’ve bought online, from Temu, AliExpress, or any unverified seller and you agree to inflate them, you become part of the supply chain.
Under UK product safety law, anyone who supplies or prepares a product for use shares responsibility for its safety. That means if that balloon bursts, leaks chemical residue, or causes injury, you can still be held partly liable, because you handled and supplied it in a “ready-to-use” form.
This risk skyrockets if the balloon: Has no CE or UKCA mark. Was imported directly from outside the UK (making the customer the importer). Lacks compliance documentation such as EN 71-3 for chemical safety.
In other words, if you didn’t supply it and can’t prove its compliance, don’t inflate it.
Politely explain that for safety, insurance, and professional standards, you can only use verified, compliant products.
Protect Your Business and Customers
That’s why serious, professional businesses don’t gamble with compliance. They buy from trusted UK wholesalers, like GO International, who take on that legal responsibility for you.
The manufacturers we partner with ensure every balloon meets strict UK safety standards before it ever reaches your hands.
So before you click “Buy Now” to save a few pounds, or agree to inflate a customer’s cheap online find, ask yourself: Is that tiny saving worth risking your reputation, your business, or worse, the safety of a child?
Buy smart. Buy safe. Protect your clients, your reputation, and your future.
Until next time, wishing you health, happiness and success in all you do.
George Oustayiannis
Director, GO International
Co-Director, The Balloon Academy
