Zhuhai authorities seized 26,260 knockoff toys based on the popular Chinese character Labubu from a truck docked in the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) last month, in what Gongbei Customs described as their single largest seizure of counterfeit toys since the port’s 2018 opening.
According to a recent statement from the authority, Customs was alerted to the haul after noticing irregularities during an X-ray inspection of a cross-border truck. Officials immediately sought permission to conduct a manual check on the goods, and discovered boxloads of what initially appeared to be Labubu toys on 14 July.
While some of the figurines bore the official Pop Mart logo, others were left unlabelled. Customs designated these as counterfeit products based on a preliminary assessment.
[See more: Pop Mart has created a film studio to launch an animated Labubu series]
Later on, Gongbei authorities were able to confirm with the relevant copyright owners that the toys printed with the Pop Mart logo made unauthorised use of the brand.
July’s seizure was by no means unique. Gongbei Customs reported confiscating 20,599 imitation Labubu dolls and other similar products from three separate trucks at the HZMB checkpoint just a month prior, on 12 June.
Labubu’s surging popularity has resulted in fake versions of the plush monsters popping up across China and around the world. Beyond the copyright infringement aspect, the shoddy quality of these products can pose a danger to children, according to the US’ Consumer Product Safety Commission. “[We have] received reports of fake Labubu dolls that break apart easily, releasing small pieces that can become choking hazards,” the commission noted on its website.
Fake Labubus can be spotted by analysing a toy’s quality and elements of their packaging, such as QR codes and hologram stickers. Telltale signs of an imposter can include the number of teeth: genuine Labubus have nine, whereas fake ones tend to have eight or ten.
The insatiable demand for Labubu collectibles stems from factors including their unique and quirky design, endorsements from celebrities such as K-pop singer Lisa of Blackpink, and the surprise element that stems from their “blind box” packaging.
Eager to capitalise on the toy’s popularity, Hollywood studios have signalled their desire to produce a movie based on the Labubu character. Meanwhile, an animated TV series is also in the works, with Pop Mart already trademarking the title of an animated series called ‘Labubu and Friends’.
