How to tell if a Labubu is real or fake, with telltale signs to look out for

Multi-colored Labubu dolls jumping and sliding on rainbow surfaces in a space-like scene — (Image credit: Pop Mart)

Jump To:

1. Shop from official sources
2. Check the box
3. Check the doll

It's hard enough to get your hands on the TikTok-dominating toy without having to deal with frauds, so learning how to know if a Labubu is real or fake is essential.

This will definitely come in handy; ever since the cute monsters became a world-conquering phenomenon, the market has been absolutely buried in bootleg versions which masquerade as the real thing. And they're pretty convincing too, which makes it hard to sniff out frauds. That's why I've jotted down every tip I can think of to help you learn how to tell if a Labubu is real or fake (or, as fans say, a 'Lafufu'). Yes, scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated. But with the right advice, you can see through their facade and sidestep Lafufu larceny.

You'll find a full and in-depth explanation on doing so below, but if you want the TLDR, here are the headlines:

How to know if a Labubu is real: Shop from these official sources

Two Labubu dolls sat at a peach with sandcastles and tools — (Image credit: Pop Mart)

Listen, I know it's a bit obvious, but seriously: buying from an official source is by far the easiest way to ensure your Labubu isn't a counterfeit Lafufu. Although this does mean you'll butt up against stock issues, you won't have to worry about whether your doll is a fake.

You can either find an in-person store near you, or opt for one of the following:

Pop Mart's Amazon US / Amazon UK page
The official Pop Mart US / Pop Mart UK store

Basically, avoid shopping on third-party platforms such as eBay and AliExpress. You're almost certainly going to run into scammers trying to pull a fast one there, and the likelihood of getting a Lafufu goes way up.

How to know if a Labubu is real: Check that box

A Labubu doll in a hat in a garden, looking sideways — (Image credit: Pop Mart)

There are ways to identify a fake Labubu just by looking at the packaging (slightly different coloring, a lack of Pop Mart logos, spelling errors, that sort of thing), but there's one guaranteed method you should keep in mind above all else – watch for QR codes.

Official Labubu toys should have a QR code on the box unless they're particularly old, and this will take you to the Pop Mart store where you can type in a code revealed by scratching at a part of the packaging. This will then tell you exactly whether the doll is real or not.

While some scammers are starting to become clever and add QR codes of their own, they won't lead to the Pop Mart store. Checking the URL is a giveaway as a result.

How to know if a Labubu is real: Check the doll

A Labubu with a flower running past traffic lights in a lilac-colored world — (Image credit: Pop Mart)

If all else fails, there are some key giveaways as to whether your Labubu is real or fake – and it all comes down to how the doll looks. Here are the main things to watch out for:

Real dolls have 9 teeth: The biggest tell is that real Labubu toys have exactly nine teeth. If there are more or less, it's a fake.
Check the labels: The labels on Labubu dolls used to be a tan color, but now they're white. These also have a QR code. Meanwhile, the tag coming from its head (the one attached to the ring) should read 'The Monsters.' Watch out for misspelling.
Feet stamps: Real Labubu dolls have a distinctive Pop Mart stamp on the bottom of their left foot, and newer models bear a stamp that is only revealed under UV light on the bottom of their right foot.
The ears are quite long and close together: Another tell-tale sign of a fake Labubu are the ears. The genuine ones have almost bunny-like ears that are fairly long and close together. If you see one with cat or bear-style ears far apart from one another, that's a dead giveaway.
The face: Labubu dolls have a very specific coloration and blush. If it isn't that peachy shade, it probably isn't genuine.

Hopefully that helps you secure the real Labubu dolls! If you're looking for other advice on toys, why not check out the best Nerf blasters or the best water guns?

I've been writing about games in one form or another since 2012, but these days you'll find me managing GamesRadar+'s tabletop gaming and toy coverage (I spend my time here handling everything from board game reviews to the latest Lego news). I've also been obsessed with Warhammer since the 1990s, and love nothing more than running tabletop RPGs like D&D as a Dungeon Master.