Knowing how to spot a real Labubu has never been more important. Labubu’s huge popularity has led to a flood of fakes, nicknamed Lafufu, and some look convincing at first glance. A fake can cost you money, fall apart quickly and be worth nothing if you ever want to sell it. The good news is that a few simple checks will catch almost every fake. This guide explains nine of them, from counting the teeth to the UV light test.
Want to know what a fair price looks like? Our Labubu price guide explains what affects the cost of each series.
What is a Lafufu?
Lafufu is the nickname collectors use for fake Labubu figures. Fakes are sold online, at markets and sometimes by sellers who claim they are genuine. Some are obvious, with strange colours and messy stitching, but others copy the packaging and the figure closely. Because a real Labubu is made by Pop Mart under licence from its creator, Kasing Lung, any figure not made by Pop Mart is not a real Labubu.
9 checks to spot a real Labubu
1. Count the teeth
A real Labubu has exactly nine teeth in its grin. Fakes often have more or fewer, or teeth that are all the same size. On a real figure the teeth vary slightly in shape and look neat and evenly painted.
2. Scan the QR code
Newer real Labubu boxes have a QR code, usually on a holographic Pop Mart sticker, with a scratch-off area that reveals a unique code. Scanning it should take you to Pop Mart’s official verification page. If the code is blurry, missing or opens a strange website, be very careful.
3. Check the left foot stamp
Real Labubu figures have a clear Pop Mart logo on the bottom of the left foot, often with Kasing Lung’s name. On fakes the stamp may be blurry, missing, misspelled or the same colour as the foot, making it hard to read.
4. Do the UV light test
Newer real Labubu figures, from around 2024 onwards, have a hidden stamp on the bottom of the right foot that only appears under UV light. It shows a silhouette linked to the series, such as a seated Labubu for Have a Seat. Older series like Exciting Macaron may not have this stamp, so use it alongside the other checks.
5. Check that the feet turn
The feet of a real Labubu can rotate. Fakes often have stiff, hard plastic feet that do not turn or feel cheap.
6. Look at the box
Real boxes have a smooth, matte finish, sharp printing and correct spelling. Fakes often have glossy or uneven packaging, blurry text and spelling mistakes such as POP MRT. Check that the series name and design artwork match the product.
7. Check the contents
A real Labubu blind box usually includes an identity card for the figure and is sealed in a foil bag. Missing cards, loose figures or poor-quality inner packaging are warning signs.
8. Feel the quality
A real Labubu has neat stitching, soft plush and a smooth, matte vinyl face with clean paint. Fakes often have loose threads, rough fur, shiny faces and messy paint around the eyes and teeth.
9. Think about the price
If a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is. A real Labubu at far below the retail price, especially a popular or secret figure, is one of the biggest warning signs of a fake.
How Pop Mart verification works
On boxes with a QR code, you scratch off a small silver panel to reveal a unique code, then scan the QR code to open Pop Mart’s verification page and enter it. A genuine code usually shows that it is being checked for the first time. If the page says the code has already been checked many times, the box may have been opened, resold or copied, so ask the seller more questions.
Only scan codes on boxes you have bought or are buying in person. Some sellers will not let you scratch the panel before you pay, which is fair, but they should be happy to show you the sticker.
Real Labubu checklist
| Check | Real Labubu | Fake Lafufu |
|---|---|---|
| Teeth | Exactly nine | More or fewer, often uniform |
| QR code | Leads to Pop Mart verification | Missing, blurry or a strange site |
| Left foot | Clear Pop Mart stamp | Blurry, missing or misspelled |
| Right foot under UV | Series silhouette on newer figures | Nothing, or a faint shape |
| Feet | Rotate | Stiff |
| Box | Matte, sharp printing | Glossy, blurry, spelling errors |
| Face | Smooth matte vinyl, neat paint | Shiny, messy paint |
| Price | Close to retail or higher | Suspiciously low |
Checking a Labubu before you buy
If you are buying an opened Labubu from someone else, ask for clear photos before you pay. You want to see the face and teeth, both feet, the tag, the box and the identity card. If the seller will not provide them, walk away.
If you are buying sealed, check the box closely. Look at the QR sticker, the shrink wrap and the print quality. A sealed case from an established shop is the safest way to buy, because it has not been opened and resealed.
Checks by series
The right checks depend on when your Labubu was made. Early series such as Exciting Macaron usually do not have the UV stamp, so rely on the teeth, the left foot logo, the box and the quality of the figure. Later series such as Have a Seat and Big Into Energy add the UV silhouette on the right foot, which makes them easier to verify.
Collaborations add another layer, as they carry partner branding. Whatever the series, combine several checks rather than relying on a single one.
Where fakes are most common
Fake Labubu turn up most often in social media adverts that copy official shops, in marketplace listings with very low prices and on stalls at markets and fairs. Be especially careful around big releases, when demand is high and real stock is hard to find. If a seller cannot answer simple questions about the series or show clear photos, it is safer to walk away.
Where to buy a real Labubu
- Pop Mart’s official website and stores sell official releases, though drops often sell out fast.
- Established retailers that sell sealed products and offer clear contact details and returns.
- Avoid unknown sellers with prices far below retail, stock photos only or no returns policy.
Browse our sealed Labubu blind boxes, including the Big Into Energy sealed case, the Exciting Macaron sealed display case and the Coca-Cola Series sealed case.
What to do if you have bought a fake
- Contact the seller straight away and keep all messages, photos and receipts.
- Use buyer protection if you paid through a marketplace or by card.
- Report the listing to the platform where you bought it.
- Do not sell it on as real. Selling fakes as genuine is illegal and spreads the problem.
Why fake Labubu are a problem
Fake Labubu are not just a waste of money. They may not meet the safety standards that official toys must meet, which matters if they are given to children. They also hurt the artist and the official makers, and they make it harder for collectors to trust the second-hand market. Buying a real Labubu supports the creator and keeps the hobby fun for everyone.
Real Labubu and secret figures
Secret figures are the most copied, because they are worth the most. If someone offers a secret such as Chestnut Cocoa or ID at a low price, be extra careful and run through every check. Our secret Labubu guide shows the best-known secrets and the odds of finding one.
Real Labubu collaborations
Official collaborations, such as the Disney Mickey Family Together series and the Coca-Cola series, carry both Pop Mart and partner branding. Fakes of collaborations often get the partner logos slightly wrong, so compare them with official product images before buying.
Buying a real Labubu as a gift
If you are buying for someone else, a sealed box from a trusted shop is the easiest way to be sure it is genuine. Keep the receipt, leave the box sealed and include the identity card so the recipient can check it for themselves. A real Labubu makes a far better present than a fake, which may not last and could disappoint a keen collector.
Real Labubu FAQs
How many teeth does a real Labubu have?
Exactly nine.
Do all real Labubu glow under UV light?
No. Newer figures have a UV stamp on the right foot, but older series may not. Use the UV test with the other checks.
Where is the QR code on a real Labubu box?
It is usually on a holographic Pop Mart sticker on the box, with a scratch-off area for the code.
Is Lafufu a brand?
No. Lafufu is a nickname for fake Labubu figures.
Where can I check official Pop Mart products?
Official releases are listed on the official Pop Mart website.
