Customs Opening

What is a Customs Opening?

A customs opening is a limited-time window when a fantasy toy maker opens their production queue to accept new custom or made-to-order orders from buyers.

Why Do Makers Limit Custom Orders?

Unlike mass manufacturers who can scale production infinitely, most fantasy toy makers are solo artisans or small teams. Every made-to-order piece requires individual attention: mixing pigment, pouring silicone, monitoring curing, demolding, trimming, and quality inspection. If a maker accepted unlimited custom orders continuously, the queue would grow unmanageable and TAT would balloon to unacceptable lengths.

The solution is the customs opening: a controlled intake system where the maker accepts a fixed number of orders during a specific window, then closes their queue to work through the batch before opening again.

How Do Customs Openings Work?

A typical customs opening follows a predictable pattern. The maker announces the opening date and time on their social media, newsletter, and Discord server -- usually 1 to 2 weeks in advance. They specify how many order slots are available, which models are open for customs, and any restrictions on options or complexity. When the window opens, buyers rush to submit their configurations and secure a slot.

Popular makers can fill all available slots within minutes. Some use a first-come, first-served system where you simply place your order as fast as possible. Others use a lottery or waitlist system to give everyone a fair chance regardless of timezone or internet speed.

What Happens Between Openings?

When the customs queue is closed, your options are limited to ready-to-ship inventory from drops, seconds sales, or the secondary BST market. Many collectors join Discord servers or email lists specifically to receive advance notification of upcoming customs openings so they can plan ahead and be ready when the window arrives.

Some makers close customs for extended periods -- months at a time -- while they work through large backlogs, develop new models, or take personal breaks. The community generally respects these closures, understanding that sustainable production schedules lead to better products.

How Should You Prepare for an Opening?

Smart buyers prepare before the opening goes live. Browse the maker's model catalog and decide exactly what you want. Review their swatch gallery for colorway options. Understand their firmness levels and consider ordering firmness samples in advance. Have your payment method ready and your shipping address saved in the shop system.

The more decisions you make beforehand, the faster you can complete your order when the window opens. In a customs opening that fills in 5 minutes, the difference between securing your slot and missing out can come down to how quickly you can navigate the checkout process.

How Do Customs Differ from Drops?

Customs openings and drops serve different buyer needs. Customs give you full control over specifications but require patience through the production TAT. Drops give you instant shipping on unique pieces but with no customization. Most active collectors participate in both, building a collection that blends their personal custom orders with exciting one-off finds from drops.