United Kingdom authorities say fake Labubu dolls now make up 90 percent of the £3.5 million worth of counterfeit toys seized at the country’s borders this year.
Labubu, a quirky monster character created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, became a global craze after a partnership with toy company Pop Mart. Though mainly marketed as collectibles for adults and even labelled on some boxes as suitable only for those above 15 years, the dolls have become very popular with children.
The UK’s Intellectual Property Office disclosed that almost three out of four seized toys failed safety checks. Officials warned that the counterfeits contained dangerous chemicals and choking hazards.
“These products have bypassed every safety check the law requires, which is why we’re working with our partners to keep these dangerous fakes out of UK homes,” Helen Barnham, the IPO’s deputy director of enforcement, said.
She added: “Child safety must come first, so we’re urging parents – please don’t let your child be the tester.”
Out of 259,000 fake toys seized by the IPO in 2025, about 236,000 were counterfeit Labubus. Nearly half of those who bought them reported problems ranging from toys breaking quickly, unsafe labels, offensive chemical smells, and even children falling sick.
To tackle the trend, the IPO has launched a campaign tagged “Fake Toys, Real Harms” to educate the public on the risks. According to the agency, seven in ten people who bought fake toys said they did so because of the lower price, while only 27 percent considered safety before buying.
Real Labubu dolls are in high demand and resell online for hundreds of pounds. The craze grew so intense that Pop Mart had to suspend sales across its 16 UK stores in May after reports of customers fighting to buy them. The toys are now sold only through an online lottery system.
Experts warn that counterfeiters are targeting many other popular toys, not just Labubu. They advised buyers to check for signs of authenticity such as matt-finish boxes with muted colours, a holographic Pop Mart sticker, a QR code, and the signature nine fang-like teeth. Genuine dolls also come with higher-quality fur, airbrushed blush, glossy embedded eyes, and firm but movable limbs. Newer editions have a UV-detectable seal on the right foot, which shows the model’s silhouette when checked under UV light.
