Creative CommonsFake Labubu dolls are flooding into the United Kingdom, with the collectibles accounting for nearly 90% of all counterfeit toys stopped at the border.
According to the UK Home Office, the government department responsible for law and immigration, officials have intercepted around £3.5 million (roughly $4.3 million) worth of counterfeit toys this year, and the vast majority were Labubu knock-offs.
Labubu, a goblin-like character created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, has become a global collectible craze through Pop Mart drops, where limited-edition figures often sell out instantly and resell for hundreds of dollars.
Unsplash.com: David KristiantoThe UK Intellectual Property Office, which handles trademarks and copyright, warned that the seized toys often fail basic safety checks. Many contain toxic chemicals, pose choking hazards, or are made with cheap materials that break apart easily and give off strong odors.
The agency has launched a campaign called “Fake Toys, Real Harm” to warn people about the risks. A survey found that 70% of buyers of counterfeit toys said the lower price was their main reason for purchasing, while only 27% considered safety.
Officials are urging collectors and parents to only buy from official or trusted retailers. They also cautioned that the spike in fake Labubu dolls could be the start of a wider trend, with counterfeiters likely to target other in-demand collectibles next.
To know if your Labubu is real or not, check the right foot under a UV light. If it’s real, you’ll see a small silhouette of the Labubu you have.