How to spot a fake Labubu: Your ultimate guide to identifying Lafufus

With their wide eyes and signature grin, Labubus manage to look creepy and mischievous all at once, which might explain why they’ve become the latest plush craze that has both adults and children rushing out to get their hands on one.

From your favourite content creators to A-list stars like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Lizzo, everyone has fallen in love with these quirky creatures from “The Monsters” series by artist Kasing Lung.

Each figure strikes the perfect balance between adorable and chaotic, with detailed designs and clever packaging that collectors simply can’t resist.

And no, they’re not just toys, they’re little works of art, sparking joy and inspiring serious collecting. 

Just ask tennis superstar Naomi Osaka, whose love for Labubu is so strong that it inspired her own US Open collection featuring the characters.

It’s proof that these little guys have gone far beyond the art toy world, cementing their place in mainstream pop culture.

However, just like your Guccis and Louis Vuittons, it was inevitable that fakes were going to find their way into the market.

Dubbed “Lafufus,” knock-offs are getting trickier to tell apart from the real thing.

So whether you’re a die-hard collector or just want one as a cute accessory for your bag, be careful. You don’t want to drop serious cash on a dud.

So, we've put together your ultimate, easy-to-follow guide to ensuring your Labubu is not a Lafufu.

The packaging

Before you even get to the figure, you have to scrutinise the box. This is often the first red flag.

Finish and colour: A real Labubu box has a smooth, matte finish with colours that are muted, almost soft. Fake boxes often have a shiny, textured feel and overly bright, almost garish colours.  

Holographic sticker and QR code: Look for a high-quality, 3D holographic sticker that clearly says "POP MART." This sticker should also have a QR code. When you scan the QR code, it should take you directly to Pop Mart's official anti-counterfeiting verification page. 

If the code is blurry, misaligned, or sends you to some random, weird website, step away from the box. Some fakes might not even bother with a QR code.

Small details: Keep an eye out for tiny imperfections on fakes. For instance, an authentic box might have a trash can symbol on the back with rounded corners on the arrow, while fakes might have sharp, square corners.

Inner packaging: Genuine Labubus usually comes with a desiccant packet that has a clear, dark logo and an identity card with soft, pastel tones. 

Fakes often skimp on these or have really low-quality prints. 

The figure itself

Now, this is where you really have to take note because this is where most of the telltale signs hide.

THE TEETH

Nine is the magic number! This is perhaps the most famous and reliable giveaway. A real Labubu has exactly nine teeth. 

These teeth vary in shape and size; they grow clearly from the blue line, and each one has distinct gaps. 

Fakes almost always mess this up. You'll see more or fewer teeth, or they'll be poorly painted without any spacing. 

FACE AND FEATURES

An authentic Labubu's face will have a smooth, matte finish. The paint lines are super crisp, the eyes are glossy and often look embedded, and any blush is airbrushed on softly and blends beautifully. 

Fake Labubus often have sloppy paint jobs, unpolished features, and harsh, dark blush that looks painted on. 

The eyes might be flat, painted circles without that glossy, 3D effect.  

If you're looking at a plush Labubu, all you have to do is feel the fur. Genuine plushies have soft, fluffy fur and really neat, seamless stitching. 

Fakes typically use coarse, cheap materials with obvious stitches and threads coming loose.

 THE FEET

Don't forget to flip that little monster over because the feet hold crucial clues.

Pop Mart logo and copyright: Authentic figures almost always have the "POP MART" logo, sometimes Kasing Lung's name, and copyright info embossed or printed on the bottom of one of the feet. 

This should be clear, sharp, and spelt correctly. 

On fakes, these marks might be missing, blurry, or badly spelt.  

The UV light test: This is a fantastic modern trick for the newer Labubu series. 

Grab a UV (black) light and shine it on the bottom of the right foot. 

A small, clear silhouette of the Labubu figure should magically appear.

Fakes either won't have this, or it will be a messy, blurry mark instead of a distinct silhouette.

Material and feel: Real Labubu feet are made from the same high-quality vinyl as the face, feeling soft and flexible with that familiar matte finish. 

Fakes might feel hard, plasticky, or even look like a slightly different colour or gloss. 

THE EARS

Last but not least, give those adorable little ears a good look.

Shape and spacing: Labubu's ears are long, almost bunny-like, and usually point slightly inward. They're also typically spaced relatively close together. 

Fake Labubus often have ears that are too far apart, stick straight up, or just have an odd, unnatural shape that doesn't quite match the iconic look.  

Stitching: Genuine ears will have clean, often hidden seams. 

Fake plushies will likely have messy stitches, loose threads, or sparse, low-quality embroidery.

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