Experts say they pose a risk to children
Potentially dangerous fake Labubu dolls have been seized in Bolton(Image: Bolton Council)
They’re the quirky fanged ‘monster elf’ dolls that seem to have become a ‘must-have’ toy overnight.
Labubu dolls are now hugely popular, with TikTok and Instagram flooded with content about the new viral dolls.
But not all ‘Labubus’ are made equal – and there are growing concerns about counterfeit goods flooding the market, which pose a risk to children.
Greater Manchester has seen a number of raids across stores in recent weeks, leading to dozens of fake Labubu dolls being taken from shelves.
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More than 100 dodgy dolls were found in shops across Oldham alone – while town hall chiefs in Bolton have also urged customers to look out for counterfeits.
The national Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) says thousands of counterfeit Labubu dolls have been seized up and down the country in recent weeks.
Counterfeit Labubu-style dolls seized in Lancashire(Image: Lancs Live)
In just one month, more than 2,000 fake Labubu dolls were seized from 13 stores in North Tyneside.
Trading standards teams in Humberside, North Somerset and Scotland have also seen significant numbers of fake dolls confiscated, with many discovered following tip-offs from concerned parents.
Kerry Nicol, external affairs manager at CTSI, said: “These dolls are fast becoming the latest must have craze, which is being amplified by social media influencers promoting and showcasing ‘unboxing’ of the products on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
“Supply and demand means that legitimate Labubu dolls are almost impossible to find.
“Parents understandably want to be able to get their hands on these toys for their children and rightly expect the toys they buy to be safe, but dangerous counterfeits are finding their way into the market, often being sold by third-party sellers on online marketplaces and from shops on the high street that have no regard for the safety of their customers.
“These fake products bypass the rigorous safety checks and compliance requirements the law demands, meaning they could contain choking hazards, toxic materials, or faulty components that put children at serious risk.
“Everyone involved in the supply chain – from manufacturers and fulfilment houses to sellers and marketplaces – should have a role to play in ensuring unsafe toys never reach the hands of children.”
One of the items seized in Oldham(Image: Oldham Council)
Genuine Pop Mart Labubu dolls have a distinctive elf-like design and include authenticity features such as a holographic POP MART sticker, a scannable QR code linking to the official Pop Mart website, and – on newer editions – a subtle UV stamp on one foot.
Signs of a fake include overly vibrant colours and an incorrect teeth count, with authentic Labubus having nine. These markers are commonly missing or poorly replicated on counterfeit versions.
CTSI says counterfeit Labubu dolls are poorly made and unsafe, with many containing small, detachable parts such as eyes, hands, and feet, which present a serious choking hazard to young children.
Loose stitching and exposed stuffing further increase the risk of suffocation to children.
These fakes often breach the UK’s Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, lacking CE or UKCA safety markings, importer details, and required safety warnings.
Without proper safety checks, they may also contain toxic substances such as lead, harmful dyes, or banned plasticisers.
According to CTSI, many of the fakes are being sold by third-party sellers, via online marketplaces and local shops, that are breaking the law.
Christine Heemskerk, CTSI lead officer for product safety, said: “Fake dolls are poorly made in unsafe manufacturing premises. Counterfeiters do not follow safety standards and are unlikely to have good factory controls in place.
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“A fake Labubu doll might contain hazardous chemicals in the plastic which can cause lifetime damage to a child’s organs.
“Small parts such as eyes could easily detach, posing a serious choking hazard for small children. Beware of putting your child at risk by buying cheap unsafe fakes.”
CTSI advises shoppers to:
- Inspect packaging carefully – check for a UKCA or CE mark, and make sure the product lists a UK-based importer or manufacturer. Warnings and usage instructions should be present.
- Look for authenticity markers – genuine Pop Mart Labubu dolls feature a holographic sticker, a scannable QR code linking to the official Pop Mart website, and (on newer editions) a UV stamp on one foot.
- Check the product’s appearance – overly vibrant colours, poor stitching, or the wrong number of teeth (authentic Labubus have nine) are signs of a fake.
- Be cautious of ‘bargains’ – counterfeit toys are often cheaper but may carry serious safety risks, including choking hazards and toxic materials.
- Buy from reputable retailers and avoid unfamiliar online vendors or third-party sellers on online marketplaces listings.
Jerry Burnie, head of toy safety at British Toy and Hobby Association, added: “Counterfeit toys are a significant risk as they are unlikely to meet the strict toy safety standards required of the legitimate toy maker.
“When shopping for branded items we would always recommend researching the toy brand and try to buy from the company directly or through a reputable retailer who you can easily return the product to.
“If you are buying online, particularly through an online marketplace, then include the name of the toy company in the search and compare the listing against the toy company’s own website.”
Anyone with concerns about counterfeit goods can call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.