How to Spot a Fake Labubu: The UK Buyer's Guide to Real vs Lafufu (2026)

If you've fallen for Labubu — the cheeky, sharp-toothed little monster from Pop Mart's The Monsters series — you're not alone. They've gone from niche designer toy to global obsession, spotted on the bags of Lisa from BLACKPINK, Rihanna, Dua Lipa and David Beckham. But that explosion in popularity has a downside: the market is now flooded with fakes, affectionately nicknamed "Lafufu" by collectors.

Here in the UK, the problem is real enough that Trading Standards teams have seized hundreds of counterfeit Labubu dolls at markets and events. Beyond wasting your money, fakes can be a genuine safety concern — counterfeit toys often skip the safety testing real ones go through, with parts that can detach.

The good news? Once you know what to look for, spotting a fake Labubu takes about 90 seconds. This guide walks you through every check, from the famous nine teeth to the QR code and the UK-specific safety markings most other guides forget.

Quick answer: the 60-second fake Labubu check

Short on time? Here are the fastest tells. We'll explain each one in detail below.

• Count the teeth — a real Labubu has exactly nine teeth. Not eight, not ten.
• Scan the QR code — it should lead straight to Pop Mart's official site, with no odd redirects.
• Check the feet — look for a sharp, clean "POP MART" stamp, not a blurry one.
• Inspect the box — genuine packaging is matte, sharply printed, with a holographic sticker.
• Question the price — if it's far below RRP and there's loads of stock, be suspicious.

If a figure passes all five, it's very likely genuine. If it fails even one, dig deeper before you buy.

1. The teeth: always count to nine

This is the single most famous Labubu authenticity check, and it's the easiest. Every genuine Labubu has exactly nine teeth. On a real figure, each tooth is distinct, evenly spaced and cleanly moulded.

Counterfeiters routinely get this wrong — fakes often have eight, ten, or an uneven, crooked set of "fangs" that look rushed. If your figure doesn't have precisely nine neat teeth, that's an immediate red flag.

A quick tip: the teeth on a real Labubu are part of a wider, characterful grin. Fakes frequently look slightly "off" — a flatter smile, messier paint around the mouth, or teeth that blur together. Trust your eyes here as much as your counting.

2. The face: paint, blush and expression

Pop Mart's quality control is strict, and it shows in the face. A genuine Labubu has a pale, peachy skin tone with soft, airbrushed blush on the cheeks — a natural-looking gradient rather than a hard blob of colour.

On fakes, the giveaways are:

• Glossy or overly bright colouring that looks cheap
• Smudged or runny paint, especially around the eyes and teeth
• A blank, lifeless expression — real Labubu eyes have depth and that signature mischievous spark
• Off-centre or warped features

Labubu's whole appeal is in that naughty-but-sweet expression. If the face looks wrong, it usually is.

3. The QR code and Pop Mart verification

Modern genuine Labubu figures (2024 releases onward) come with a QR code, usually on a holographic sticker on the box, and sometimes a second code on the figure's tag.

Here's how to use it properly:

• Scan the code with your phone.
• It should take you directly to Pop Mart's official website for verification.
• On the official page, you can enter the confirmation code (sometimes revealed by scratching off a panel on the packaging) to authenticate the figure.

The warning signs: a code that redirects to a non–Pop Mart website, loads a slow or imitation page, or simply doesn't scan. Be aware that sophisticated counterfeiters now copy a genuine QR code onto fakes — so if the code looks worn, pixelated, or leads anywhere other than Pop Mart's real domain, treat it as fake. Always check the URL.

4. The foot stamp and the hidden UV mark

Flip the figure over. Genuine Labubu figures have an embossed "POP MART" stamp with copyright (©) information moulded into the foot. On a real one, this stamp is sharp, deep and clearly readable. On a fake, it's typically shallow, blurry, smudged, or missing entirely.

Newer releases (post-2023) add a clever extra layer: a UV-reactive mark hidden on the foot that only appears under a UV/blacklight torch. On a genuine figure this mark is invisible to the naked eye until you shine UV light on it, often revealing a glowing Labubu silhouette, and the eyes and teeth may glow too.

One important honesty note: collectors and even official guidance sometimes disagree on which foot carries the standard stamp versus the UV mark, and it can vary between releases. So don't treat "left foot vs right foot" as a hard rule. The reliable principle is this: a real Labubu has a clean, sharp embossed stamp, and most newer ones have a UV mark that's invisible until lit. If you can already see the "hidden" mark in normal light, or it shows the wrong pose, that points to a fake.

5. The packaging, box and Pop Card

Genuine Pop Mart packaging is genuinely high quality, and it's hard to fake convincingly:

• Matte finish, soft pastel artwork, and perfectly aligned, sharp printing
• An embossed Pop Mart logo you can feel with a fingernail — tilt the box in the light and you'll see subtle raised texture
• A 3D holographic sticker with real depth and shine (fakes look flat or "squashed")
• The Pop Mart logo printed in red — fakes sometimes use black or grey ink
• No spelling mistakes — counterfeits have been spotted with "Popm Mart" and similar errors
• The correct collector card (Pop Card) inside, featuring the character's name, artwork and Pop Mart branding on a textured, vividly printed card

Be especially careful with one common scam: counterfeiters reuse genuine empty boxes, swap in a fake figure, and reseal them. So never rely on the box alone — always check the figure itself against the points above, and inspect seals and inserts carefully.

6. UK buyers: check the safety markings

This is the bit most guides miss, and it matters if you're buying in Britain. Legally sold toys in the UK must carry a UKCA or CE mark, and genuine imported products should list a UK importer's name and address.

Counterfeit Labubu dolls seized by UK Trading Standards have repeatedly been found without these markings — alongside toxic plastics, harmful dyes and parts that detach easily. So the presence of a UKCA/CE mark and a UK supplier address is a reassuring sign. On its own it isn't proof (markings can be faked too), but combined with the checks above it adds real confidence — and its complete absence is a serious warning.

7. The price (and the seller)

If a deal looks too good to be true, it almost always is. Pop Mart controls supply tightly, and genuine Labubu — especially sought-after series — hold their value. A few practical rules:

• Be suspicious of prices far below RRP, particularly when a seller has large quantities in stock. Real Labubu is hard to get; nobody has a table full of cheap genuine ones.
• On marketplaces, avoid sellers who won't provide close-up photos of the teeth, feet, QR code and packaging.
• Check seller ratings and reviews, and favour sellers who clearly state whether an item is genuine Pop Mart.

Real vs fake Labubu: quick comparison

The simplest way to never get a fake

Honestly? The easiest way to avoid a Lafufu is to buy from a source you trust so you don't have to play detective at all.

At Labubu UK, we're upfront about exactly what we sell. Our genuine Pop Mart figures are clearly labelled as such and sourced through official Pop Mart channels, so you can buy real collectibles with confidence. We also stock a separate range of affordable Labubu-style plush, keychains and accessories for fans who want the look without the collector price tag — and we're always clear about which is which, so you know precisely what you're getting before you check out.

That transparency is the whole point: whether you want a verified Pop Mart collectible or a budget-friendly Labubu-style charm, you should never have to wonder whether you've been sold a fake.

Shop genuine Labubu & Labubu-style collectibles →

Frequently asked questions

How many teeth does a real Labubu have? Exactly nine. Any other number — or an uneven, crooked set — indicates a fake.

What is a Lafufu? "Lafufu" is the nickname collectors use for a fake or counterfeit Labubu. They range from obvious knock-offs to convincing copies that fool even experienced buyers.

How do I check a Labubu QR code? Scan it with your phone. A genuine code leads straight to Pop Mart's official website, where you can enter a confirmation code to verify the figure. If it redirects elsewhere or won't scan, be cautious.

Are cheap Labubu always fake? Not always — but a price far below RRP, especially with lots of stock available, is one of the strongest warning signs. Genuine Labubu is deliberately limited and rarely heavily discounted.

Is it illegal to sell fake Labubu in the UK? Yes. Selling counterfeit goods is illegal, and UK Trading Standards has seized fake Labubu dolls and pursued enforcement action against sellers.