Fake Labubus: Counterfeit toys seized around the country
A warning has been issued about fake Labubu toys - which could prove dangerous to children.
Plushy, grinning Labubus have become one of the trends of the year, having arrived in the UK, from China-based retailer Pop Mart, which manufactures the genuine toys.
However, counterfeiters have started to produce copycat versions, and trading standards departments across the country, including in Hull, Manchester, Hertfordshire, Nottingham and Coventry, say they have seized hundreds of the toys from shops, and warned that many are likely to still be on sale. They say that the knock-off versions have small pieces which can easily become detached.
The dodgy dolls can be identified by a series of features that set them apart from the real thing, including:
- Packaging: Real Labubu boxes have a matt finish and muted colours, while fakes are often glossy and overly vibrant. Look for a holographic POP MART sticker and a QR code
- Teeth: Authentic Labubus have nine triangular teeth, resembling fangs. Fakes might have more or fewer teeth and may be less defined
- Mouth and expression: The shape and size of the mouth along with the overall expression can differ between real and fake Labubus. Authentic ones have a mischievous expression
- Quality: Real Labubus generally have higher quality fur, a well-blended blush on their cheeks applied by airbrush and embedded glossy eyes. Fakes might have uneven fur, odd colours, or wobbly limbs
- Foot detail: Newer Labubu editions have a UV-detectable seal on the right foot. Under UV light, you should see a silhouette of the specific Labubu model.
Hull’s head of public protection Rachel Stephenson said: “These fakes can seem appealing. They might be cheaper or more easily available than the real thing, which can be tempting when children are desperate to get their hands on one. However, it is simply not worth the risk.
“These counterfeit toys are poorly made and haven’t been subject to the same standards and checks as the real thing. They can easily come apart, posing a serious choking hazard for small children. Our Trading Standards team would urge all parents to check products carefully, and only purchase those they’re certain are genuine”.