Guide to
Labubu Counterfeits
How to Spot a Fake Labubu (Lafufu)
Labubu’s soaring popularity has unfortunately led to a rise in counterfeit figures, affectionately (and frustratingly) known as Lafufus. These fakes are often passed off as authentic, with scammers charging premium prices for low-quality knockoffs. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back!
This guide will show you how to spot a fake Labubu, compare genuine vs. counterfeit features, and help ensure your collection stays 100% authentic.
Table of Contents
Known Counterfeits
As of this writing, the most commonly counterfeited Labubu items are:
Vinyl Plush Dolls
Vinyl Plush Pendants
You won’t typically see fake Wacky Mart figures or other blind box vinyl figures. Instead, popular items like the Big Into Energy Pendants and Wacky Mart Shrimp Earphone Cases are frequent targets.
How to Identify a Counterfeit Labubu
Spotting a lafufu varies depending on the series, but several red flags appear across the board:
QR Code on the Box
A genuine Pop Mart Labubu will have a QR code on the back of the box. When scanned, it should take you to a subdomain of popmart.com and display a partial verification code.
Scratch the area below the QR code to reveal the code.
Enter the last four digits into the site. It should confirm this is the first time the code has been verified.
If it says it’s been verified multiple times, or sends you to a suspicious site (i.e., papmart.com or popmort.com), it’s likely fake.
Labubu Tag and ID Card
The tag on a real labubu will include a QR code that links to Pop Mart’s website. While these can be faked, many lafufus omit the QR code on the tag entirely or use one with poor printing.
Genuine products have a well-printed identity card in pastel tones. Fakes typically feature cramped or missing text, blurry prints, or no identity card at all.
- Tags on the labubu are white with black text and should display a working QR code.
Authentic cards often feature pastel colors, clear printing, and polished layouts.
The Face and Eyes
One of the most obvious tells when comparing an authentic Labubu to a counterfeit (a “lafufu”) is the face. Real Labubu figures have a soft, matte vinyl finish that feels smooth to the touch. The paint lines are crisp and clean, with subtle airbrushed blush that blends naturally into the cheeks. Their signature eyes are slightly glossy, giving them a gentle shine that contrasts nicely against the matte skin. The eyes are also embedded into the vinyl, not just painted or loosely attached.
Another important feature is the teeth. There should be nine small, evenly spaced teeth with clean white paint. On a fake, these details are often messy: the eyes might be oversized or flat, the paint lines sloppy, and the blush either too dark or completely missing. Some fakes may only have six or seven teeth, or their teeth may be uneven or blurred.
If you’re unsure, always compare side-by-side with a confirmed, authentic figure. The differences become much clearer when viewed together.
Quick Overview – Authentic vs. Fake (Lafufu):
✅ Authentic Labubu
Matte vinyl face with soft texture
Glossy, embedded eyes
Crisp paint lines and gentle airbrushed blush
Nine small, well-painted teeth
🚫 Counterfeit Lafufu
Shiny or plasticky face
Flat, printed, or oversized eyes
Sloppy or missing blush
Uneven or incorrect number of teeth
The Blind Bag
Every authentic Labubu from Pop Mart comes in a specific style of blind bag depending on when it was released. Older releases use a classic white bag with printed artwork and “The Monsters” branding. The interior of these bags is matte silver, a detail often overlooked in fakes.
Counterfeit bags may appear similar at a glance, but the inside is usually shiny silver instead of matte. While this may sound like a small detail, it’s often a giveaway.
More recently, Pop Mart began transitioning to plastic drawstring bags as a new packaging method to combat counterfeits. These are now used for newer figures and pendants. Some newer pendants also include “Pop Mart” engraved on the keyring itself—another subtle detail most lafufus miss.
Quick recap:
- Older Labubus came in white tearable bags with a matte silver interior.
Lafufu bags often have a shiny silver interior, which is a major giveaway.
Newer Labubus now come in plastic drawstring bags to fight counterfeits.
Newer pendants will have “Pop Mart” engraved on the ring.
The Blind Box
The blind box is one of the most telling parts of an authentic Labubu package. Real boxes have a matte finish, clean design, and muted colors. Look for an official Pop Mart logo, a holographic QR code sticker with a 3D shimmer, and a full-length product information label in pastel tones. The printing should be high-quality with no blurry areas. Even the trash can symbol on the box should have a rounded arrow, not a square one.
Fakes often cut corners here. Their boxes might be shiny or textured, with off-tone or overly neon colors. The text can be cramped, low-res, or completely missing. Holographic stickers may be absent or poorly reproduced. A square arrow on the trash symbol is another common giveaway of a lafufu box.
A real box will have:
Matte, muted colors
Clean fonts and spacing
Clear Pop Mart logo
Holographic 3D sticker with QR code
A trash bin symbol with rounded arrow tips
Fakes often feature:
Neon or off-tone colors
Shiny packaging
Missing or pixelated logos
No holographic sticker
Trash bin with sharp arrow corners
Hands, Feet, and Head
The movement and texture of a Labubu’s limbs can be a major clue when it comes to spotting a fake. Genuine Labubu figures are made with quality materials, and while the heads may gently swivel, they shouldn’t spin freely or turn all the way around. The hands and feet are made from the same soft vinyl as the face, and they should feel securely attached.
In contrast, counterfeit lafufus often have rigid, plasticky limbs that feel hollow or loosely fitted. The heads on many fakes spin 360 degrees, which is a red flag—authentic Labubu heads don’t rotate that way. The feet and hands on fakes might also wobble or feel like they’re from an entirely different material, sometimes even showing visible seams or mold lines.
Authentic Labubu:
Feet and hands are soft, securely attached, and made of the same material as the face
Limited head movement
Counterfeit Lafufu:
Hard, plasticky limbs
Hands and feet that spin or wobble
Head that rotates 360°
A Few Final Notes
While most counterfeit Labubu figures are easy to spot once you know what to look for, there are a few exceptions and edge cases to keep in mind, especially when buying older plushes or secondhand.
First, it’s important to note that some early production Labubus did not include QR codes on their tags. Instead, they came with simple cloth tags without digital verification features. These older figures can still be authentic, but due to the increasing sophistication of counterfeiters, QR codes are now standard on nearly all new releases. If you’re buying an older Labubu without a code, it’s a good idea to verify other factors like packaging, material quality, and facial detailing.
Second, even real Labubus aren’t immune to the occasional minor factory defect. For instance, certain authentic figures from the Big Into Energy series, especially Hope (blue) and Serenity (green), have been known to have slightly uneven faces or paint inconsistencies. These are small-scale quality control issues and are not automatic signs of a fake.
Counterfeits, or lafufus, typically show far more obvious flaws: wobbly limbs, overly shiny materials, poor paint lines, or off-model colors. If you’re unsure, verify the figure across multiple markers such as the QR code, packaging, and facial features to get a more accurate sense of authenticity.
Quick Recap:
Older authentic Labubus may lack a QR code tag. Cloth tags were used in original releases.
Minor imperfections like paint dots or slightly uneven features do occur on real Labubus due to mass production. Don’t confuse these with full counterfeits.
Lafufus often have multiple flaws such as loose limbs, weird fur textures, or odd color tones.
How to Stay Safe
Always buy from trusted sources and check out our other guides:
- Where to Buy Authentic Labubu Figures
- Meet Labubu and the Monsters
