More merchandise has been imported into the U.S. based on Toy Story 3 than on any other film in the past 18 months, according to Panjiva calculations as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.  Panjiva, “the leading intelligence platform for global trading professionals,” studies import documents to determine the number of shipping containers containing various forms of merchandise that pass through U.S. ports.  In the case of licensed merchandise, that serves as a proxy for the total merchandise based on particular films, since only a small fraction of licensed goods is produced domestically.

A massive 724 shipping containers of Toy Story 3 merchandise were imported into the U.S., according to the report.  Iron Man 2 was second, with 474 containers; G.I. Joe:  The Rise of the Cobra was third with 403.  The rest of the top ten, in order, were Princess and the Frog, Ice Age;  Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Shrek Forever After, Monsters vs. Aliens, Avatar, How to Train Your Dragon, and Star Trek.

Both imports and domestically produced goods from the movies in the top ten have attracted controversy this month.  Teamsters and environmentalists leafleted showings of Toy Story 3 in over 20 cities last weekend protesting the sale of Toy Story toys made of PVC at Toys ‘r Us.  And 12 million Shrek Forever After glasses to be given away at McDonalds were recalled after cadmium was discovered in the glass.