How to Tell if Your Labubu is Fake

Let's face it - Labubu is adorable, weird, and kind of irresistible. With all the hype (and the rising prices), it's no surprise that fakes have popped up everywhere, making it harder to know if your Labubu is fake or the real deal. Whether you're new to collecting or just paranoid after a late-night impulse buy, this guide will walk you through how to tell if your Labubu is real or, well... a "Lafufu".

And if you’re looking for an even deeper dive into Labubu’s world, don’t miss my other post, The Complete Labubu Guide.

 

Image credit: Alibaba

Check the Cheeks

This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to spot a fake. An authentic Labubu figure always has a sweet little blush on its cheeks. It's a subtle, soft, and evenly placed detail that just blends in perfectly with the rest of the face. Fakes, on the other hand, might completely forget the blush, or they'll put it in a weird spot, either way too high or too low. Some knockoffs even use the wrong color—it's too red, too orange, or just doesn't look right at all. So, if the cheeks are missing that cute little flush or the placement seems off, that's a definite red flag.

Look at the Nose and Mouth

When you check out the face, pay close attention to the nose and mouth. A real Labubu's nose is a soft, triangular shape that's neither too sharp nor too round, and it's always the right color—usually a muted red or deep pink. Fakes often get lazy here, either painting the triangle sloppily or using a completely wrong shade. A cool little trick is that under UV light, a genuine Labubu nose will often glow softly and evenly.

Next, look at that signature smile. It should be slightly open, not too wide or too dark. If it looks like it's yelling, growling, or has some sort of vampire vibe, it's probably a counterfeit. Authentic Labubus also have exactly nine teeth, spaced naturally and varying in size and shape. The teeth shouldn't be perfectly even. They're molded and painted in a cool off-white color. If you see missing, extra, or misaligned teeth, that's a big sign of a fake.

10 teeth. Image credit: unauthorized-dingus on r/PopMartCollectors

Eyes Don’t Lie

One of the easiest giveaways is the eyes. Real Labubus have molded eyebrows, glossy, sculpted eyes that shine and look alive, while fakes usually have flat, painted ones that look dull—often with pupils that are too big, too small, or just off.

The plastic around the eyes looks way too hollow. Image credit: Ambitious_Nebula5806 on r/PopMartCollectors

Always check the eye shape and color against Pop Mart’s official photos—like if you see a pink Labubu with closed eyes, that’s a fake. The only closed-eye version is Zizi, and she has light purple fur.

Fur & Color Details

This one matters most for plushies, since fakes almost always get it wrong. Things to watch out for:

• Fur that feels rough or overly fuzzy
• Colors that look too dark, too orange, or way too pale
• Missing color gradients on spots like the belly or tail

If your plush looks washed-out or neon bright, chances are it’s not the real thing. Compare it with official Pop Mart photos or listings from trusted resellers.

Also keep in mind: the face should always be a soft, pale peach—not pink, yellow, or anything too bold.

Missing color gradients on the ears. Image credit: Local_Nobody7436 on r/PopMartCollectors

Don't Forget the Feet

The feet of a Labubu can tell you a lot. Many of the newer figures, like those from the "Have a Seat" series, have a cool little feature: a UV-reactive stamp on the right foot that shows a tiny silhouette of the figure's pose (e.g. standing or sitting). Fakes, on the other hand, might have a blurry or incorrect stamp, or sometimes none at all.

Now, for the left foot, you should see a clear Pop Mart logo either printed or embossed, plus Kasing Lung's copyright info in a nice, clear font. And here's a fun test: real Labubus' feet can usually turn all the way around, 360 degrees! If the feet feel hard and plastic-like or are glued in place and won't turn, you're likely holding a fake.

Get the Proportions Right

A lot of fakes just don’t "feel" right, and that’s because the proportions are all wrong. You can often tell a "Lafufu" just by looking at its shape. A genuine Labubu has a specific, chubby little body shape that’s part of its charm. Look for these key features:

• Big ears that stand tall
• A round, puffed-out belly
• A stubby little body
• Short legs and arms

If your Labubu looks too skinny, has droopy ears, or just seems oddly stretched out or bulky, that’s a big clue it might not be the real deal.

The proportions are way off. Image credit: pattifromelmira on r/labubu

 

Check the Tag

An official plush Labubu should always have a branded tag. It'll feature the Pop Mart or The Monsters logo along with other licensing information. If your doll is missing a tag entirely, that's not a good sign. When you do see one, the printing should be super clear and sharp, not smudged, and the font should be nice and thin.

Pro tip: Be aware that some Lafufus even try to copy the tags. Look closely, because the fonts, spacing, or logos on a counterfeit will often be just a little bit off.

Quality of Materials

Even with their wild, messy look, real Labubu figures feel high-quality. Fakes, on the other hand, almost always cut corners.
Here’s what to watch out for:

• Cheap stitching: On a real Labubu plush, you shouldn't see visible stitches; the plump, fluffy fur should cover them. Fakes often have sloppy, exposed seams.
• Loose threads
• Hard, cheap plastic: Authentic Labubus are made of soft, high-quality vinyl.
• Excess glue: Check for stray bits of glue, especially around the face or where different parts connect.
• Off-balance figures: If your Labubu doll can't stand or sit properly, it's probably not legit.
• Flaked paint or rough spots: Real figures have smooth, even paint jobs.

A legit Labubu feels solid, well-made, and balanced in your hand.

The Packaging Test

The packaging itself is a huge clue. A real box has a smooth, matte finish with soft, muted colors and often has embossed text that you can feel. Fakes tend to be glossy, overly bright, or feel rough to the touch. Even the little icons on the box, like the trash can symbol, might be wrong—they'll have sharp corners instead of the proper rounded ones.

A genuine box also includes a holographic sticker and a QR code. When you scan this code, it should take you directly to the official Pop Mart anti-counterfeit website (like fwsy.popmart.com or m-gss.popmart.com). If the QR code is blurry or leads to a different site, it's likely a fake. But be careful—some scammers put fake figures in real boxes, so the QR code can't be trusted on its own.

An authentic Labubu comes in a sturdy, well-printed blind box. Inside a real Pop Mart Labubu blind box, you’ll find a few key things:

• The toy is in a sealed silver foil bag. This bag has a slightly textured matte feel on the inside and a glossy print on the outside.
• You'll get an ID card with the character's image and name. It should have a clear, sharp print and a premium feel.
• There should be a rectangular desiccant packet with clear logos and dark-colored print.

Fake packaging might have:

• Blurry or misaligned printing
• Spelling errors
• No foil bag or ID card
• Cheaper box material or bright, bold colors
• A blurry, faded desiccant packet or none at all

If you ordered a "new" Labubu and it came in a plastic bag with no box at all? Uh oh.

Seller Red Flags

If you're buying online, especially from marketplaces like Shopee, AliExpress, or eBay, you've got to be careful. Watch out for a few red flags:

• Listings with shady photos or ones that are just copied from other people.
• Sellers who avoid showing the packaging or close-up shots of the figure.
• Sellers with no reviews at all, or a bunch of sketchy-looking ones.

Always check the seller's ratings, and when you're in doubt, just stick to verified shops or Pop Mart's official stores to be safe.

Price Check Reality

Here’s a rough idea of how much you should expect to pay: 

• Blind box Labubu figures: $15–$18
• Vinyl face plush keychains: $28+
• Limited editions or collabs: $40–$300
• Mega Labubu (400%-1000% scale): $500–$1000

If someone’s selling a "rare limited Labubu plush" for $12? That’s probably not a deal… that’s a dupe.

Ask the Community

If you're not sure, don’t stress - there are tons of helpful collectors online. The r/PopMartCollectors subreddit is super friendly and will help ID anything you’re unsure about. People also share comparison pics, guides, and scam warnings regularly. You can also check out the mega threads on r/PopMartCollectors and r/labubu, where you can drop photos and get quick feedback.

Where You Buy Matters

Stick to trusted sources like:

• Pop Mart's official online store or physical shops
• Pop Mart’s Amazon, Tiktok or AliExpress official storefronts
• Resellers with verified authentication like StockX (where items are inspected before shipping)
• Legit retailers like Urban Outfitters, BoxLunch, or Hot Topic
• Trusted local toy stores or resellers with good collector reviews

Don’t be fooled by scammers who post as 3^rd party sellers on trusted websites like Walmart and Amazon.

Watch out for copycat websites posing as Pop Mart. Image credit: SunnyLVTHN on r/labubu

 

Got Scammed? Here’s What You Can Do

• File a dispute with your payment provider (e.g., PayPal or credit card)
• Use platform resolution tools (e.g., eBay's or Mercari’s buyer protection) and maybe get a refund or replacement depending on the policy
• Share your story in trusted fan groups to warn others

Quick Recap Checklist

Here’s a bite-sized checklist to run through:

• Cheeks have a soft, correctly placed blush.
• Nose and mouth colors look right and the teeth are a cool off-white with nine total.
• Eyes have depth and shine, not a flat, painted-on look.
• Body proportions are correct, with a chubby body and tall ears.
• Fur color and texture feel normal and aren't rough or too bright.
• Tags and logos are clean, sharp, and legitimate.
• Materials feel high-quality, with no loose threads, excess glue, or bad stitching.
• Feet have the correct logos and can move 360 degrees.
• Packaging is a matte finish with a holographic sticker and a functioning QR code.
• The price makes sense for the item's rarity.
• When in doubt, the online community agrees it looks real.

 

 

Final Thoughts

If you're ever in doubt, take a photo and compare it with Pop Mart's official images, or just post it to a collector group. The community has your back - and once you get familiar with the details, spotting a fake gets way easier.

 Happy collecting, and may your next Labubu be just as real and chaotic as it should be!