How to spot a fake Labubu (Lafufu) in the UK

To spot a fake Labubu, scan the QR code on the tag and check the figure against what Pop Mart and Trading Standards describe: a holographic sticker, nine teeth and an engraved foot. As of October 2026, the surest check is where you bought it. Pop Mart says to buy from Pop Mart or its official retail partners. A "lafufu" is the nickname for a fake.

Why fake Labubu dolls are everywhere

Fake Labubu dolls were a national problem in the UK in 2025. In August 2025 the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) issued a national warning about dangerous fake Labubu dolls on the UK market. CTSI said its seizures followed tip-offs from concerned parents.

The word "lafufu" comes from buyers. It describes a counterfeit that looks close to the real toy. A listing that names the brand is not proof of anything, so check the toy itself.

If you are thinking of buying Labubu to resell, read our guide to reselling Labubu in the UK too. Authenticity is the first question a buyer asks.

The checks Pop Mart describes

Pop Mart told Good Morning America in August 2025 that it has stepped up security features in its 2024 releases. Those features are an engraved Pop Mart tag and the artist's name on the foot of the figure.

The tag carries a QR code. It links to Pop Mart's official website, where you enter a confirmation number to verify the toy. Scan the code with your own phone camera, not a link sent by the seller.

We could not find an anti-counterfeit page on Pop Mart's UK website or in its UK help centre when we checked on 19 October 2026. The guidance above comes from Pop Mart's statement to the press, so check the current process on the Pop Mart site or app before you rely on it.

Pop Mart also warned of a common trick: a seller puts a fake figure inside a genuine box and reseals it. A good-looking box does not prove the figure inside is real. The QR code on the tag and the markings on the figure are the checks that matter.

The physical checks Trading Standards gives

CTSI's August 2025 warning lists the features of a genuine Labubu. Use them as a checklist.

• Holographic sticker. A genuine pack has a holographic Pop Mart sticker.
• QR code. It must scan and link to the official Pop Mart website.
• UV stamp. CTSI says newer editions have a UV stamp on one foot.
• Nine teeth. Genuine Labubu figures have nine teeth. Fakes get the count wrong.
• Colours and stitching. Overly vibrant colours, poor stitching and exposed stuffing point to a fake.
• Price. Be wary of bargains. CTSI says cheap counterfeits can carry serious risks.

No single check is enough. A fake can pass one test, so run all of them. A figure that fails any one of them is a reason to stop and ask the seller questions.

Compare the figure with photos of the same series on Pop Mart's own website. The British Toy and Hobby Association, quoted in the CTSI warning, advises searching for the toy brand and comparing the listing with the company's website.

Why fake toys are a safety risk for children

Fake toys skip safety testing, and that is the main reason Trading Standards cares. CTSI lists these risks:

• Small detachable parts such as eyes, hands and feet are a choking risk.
• Loose stitching and exposed stuffing raise the risk of suffocation.
• Fakes can contain toxic substances such as lead, harmful dyes or banned plasticisers.

CTSI says counterfeits often breach the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. Genuine toys sold in the UK should carry a UKCA or CE mark, the details of a UK importer or manufacturer, and usage instructions and warnings. Check the packaging for all three. A pack with none of them is a reason not to give the toy to a young child.

If you are buying for a child, buy from a source you can return the toy to.

Where to buy genuine Labubu in the UK

The safest place to buy a genuine Labubu is Pop Mart itself. Its UK online store is at popmart.com/gb, and Pop Mart has its own physical stores. Check the website for the current store list before you travel, because we could not confirm a full UK store list at source. Our guide to where to buy Labubu in the UK lists the shops, machines and prices we could confirm.

Pop Mart's statement to Good Morning America names these official channels: its own stores, its app, Robo Shops, its official TikTok Shop, Amazon's official Pop Mart storefront and official booths at events. We did not confirm which of those operate in the UK as of October 2026, so look for the official Pop Mart storefront rather than a third-party seller.

CTSI advises buying directly from the company, or from a retailer where returns are easy. It also advises avoiding unfamiliar vendors and third-party marketplace sellers. That does not mean every marketplace listing is fake. It means you carry the risk of checking.

A price far below retail is a warning. A high price on a "rare" figure is a reason to check the QR code before you pay. We do not list prices here. Pop Mart's UK site shows current ones.

What to do if you bought a fake

If you bought a fake Labubu, you have rights, and you should act quickly. Citizens Advice, the UK consumer charity, sets out what to do.

• Ask the seller for a refund. Citizens Advice says you are entitled to a full refund within 30 days of paying for a fake item. Between 30 days and 6 months the seller can offer a genuine replacement, and if it cannot, it must refund you. Selling fakes is illegal, and a seller cannot refuse because the price was low.
• Debit card. Ask your bank to use the chargeback scheme.
• Credit card under £100. Ask your card company to use the chargeback scheme.
• Credit card from £100 to £30,000. Ask your card company to make a section 75 claim.
• PayPal. Report the dispute through PayPal's Resolution Centre within 180 days of paying.

For marketplace purchases, Citizens Advice does not cover marketplaces on that page. Use the platform's own dispute process and keep every message and photo. Do not sell the fake on. Selling a counterfeit makes you the seller in the problem.

Trading Standards investigates and prosecutes sellers, but it cannot get your money back. You do not have to report a seller, though Citizens Advice says doing so can stop others buying fakes. For advice, call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 in England and Wales.

Common questions

How can I tell if my Labubu is real?

Scan the QR code on the tag and complete the verification on Pop Mart's website. Then check the holographic sticker, nine teeth, the engraved foot markings and neat stitching. If any check fails, treat the figure as suspect.

What is a lafufu?

A lafufu is the nickname for a fake Labubu. It copies the look of the character but is not made or approved by Pop Mart. The name is not a brand.

Is a fake Labubu dangerous for children?

Trading Standards says fakes can have detachable parts that cause choking, loose stuffing and toxic materials. They skip the safety testing that genuine toys go through. Check for a UKCA or CE mark and UK importer details before giving one to a child.

Where is the safest place to buy a real Labubu in the UK?

Buy from Pop Mart's own UK website or its own stores. Pop Mart says to shop directly from it and its official retail partners. Avoid unfamiliar sellers.

Can I get my money back for a fake Labubu?

Yes. Citizens Advice says you are entitled to a full refund within 30 days of paying for a fake. You can also ask your bank or card company for a chargeback, or make a section 75 claim on a credit card purchase of £100 to £30,000.

Where this fits

Our guides to how to spot fake Pokémon cards and how to spot fake trainers in the UK cover the same habits for other collectibles: buy from the source, test more than once and keep your proof of purchase. If you plan to sell, reselling Labubu in the UK covers fees, tax and where to list.

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