Pop Mart Warns of Unsafe Fake ‘Labubu’ Dolls

Counterfeit “Labubu” dolls are surging online and in corner shops, and they’re not just knockoffs—they’re a safety risk. Consumer watchdogs have seized thousands of fakes in recent weeks, warning that many lack legally required safety labels and may contain loose parts or even toxic materials. Pop Mart—the company behind the viral nine-toothed, elf-eared plush—has urged buyers and retailers to treat authenticity as a child-safety issue, not a collector quibble. The backdrop is a perfect storm: limited supply, celebrity-driven hype, and fast-moving gray-market sellers. That combination has invited counterfeits with bright colors, bad stitching, and no meaningful testing—exactly the sort of shortcuts that can turn a cute collectible into a choking hazard.

There are practical tells. Genuine Labubus include a POP MART holographic sticker, scannable QR code to Pop Mart’s site, and—on newer runs—a UV stamp on one foot. Real units also ship with correct trademarks, artist attribution, and, in markets like the U.K., CE/UKCA safety marks and importer details. Fakes often miss those basics, and some even get the character wrong (authentic Labubus have nine teeth). Be wary of lookalikes labeled “Lafufu,” deep discounts on social ads, and marketplace listings with mismatched packaging or spelling errors. If you’re buying, stick to official Pop Mart channels and authorized partners; if you’re a retailer, audit your shelves and demand documentation from distributors. When in doubt, don’t sell it—and don’t bring it home.

Enforcement is ramping up alongside education. Trading standards teams in multiple regions have confiscated suspect inventory, while Pop Mart has begun legal action against alleged counterfeit sellers, signaling a broader crackdown on unsafe copycats. Collectors, meanwhile, can help: report suspicious listings, verify tags before gifting to kids, and avoid impulse purchases from pop-up vendors. The Labubu craze isn’t slowing, but neither is scrutiny. Authenticity protects brand trust—but more importantly, it protects small hands that will tug, chew, and test every seam.