Warning over 'dangerous' fake Labubu dolls in Scotland

A warning has been issued over fake Labubu dolls, which present a choking hazard to young children, after a number were seized in Scotland.

The toy’s popularity began last year after K-Pop star Lisa from girl group Blackpink shared a photo of herself with one, with other celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa following suit.

Pop Mart, which makes the furry bag charms, announced in May that it would be pulling all of its Labubu plushies from its 16 UK stores for a month over safety concerns.

Toys seized from four premises in Aberdeen were found to have loose parts, posing a choking hazard to young children.

What are Labubu dolls?

Labubus are mischievous, wide-eyed dolls created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung
With their wild tufts of hair, sharp-toothed grins, and childlike charm, they straddle the line between cute and creepy
They are sold in a blind box so buyers don’t know which version they’ll get – fuelling a booming resale market
First popular across China and Southeast Asia, they’ve have sparked viral trends on TikTok and Instagram
For many, they’ve become more than a doll — Labubu is a fashion and lifestyle accessory

East Ayrshire Trading Standards also issued a warning on Tuesday, saying it was “aware of concerns of safety and counterfeiting”.

The products also do not have the required safety labelling, including a supplier in the UK or EU.

Labubu was created by designer Kasing Lung, and is also the name of the main character in the series of toys.

Trading standards manager Graeme Paton said: “Following the discovery of counterfeit toys, we want to alert consumers and particularly parents to be extra vigilant.

“These counterfeit toys can seem like a bargain compared with trying to source the genuine toy, especially when they are a much-sought-after item, but they are potentially dangerous.

“Counterfeit toys can potentially pose significant dangers to young children, such as chemical exposure and choking hazards.

“These products routinely lack proper safety testing, and we encourage anyone concerned about the safety of toys they’ve purchased to get in touch with us via Consumer Advice Scotland.”

Hazel Knowles, consumer project lead at Advice Direct Scotland, said: “We are concerned by the surge in fake Labubu toys flooding the Scottish market.

“These counterfeits are not only deceiving collectors and draining hard-earned money from families, but they’re also leaving children heartbroken.

“We urge consumers to be vigilant, buy only from trusted retailers and report suspected fakes. No child should be disappointed by a counterfeit toy made with inferior materials.

“We’ve had reports that the counterfeit goods are of very poor quality and are not made to last at all.”

One dad, who turned to Advice Direct Scotland for support, said: “After closer inspection, I noticed several discrepancies that indicated these products were not genuine.

“The packaging and branding differ from authentic Labubu collectables. I have also verified that the QR code on them does not go to the correct website of the manufacturer.”

Advice Direct Scotland say the telltale signs of a fake include overly vibrant colours, incorrect teeth count (authentic Labubus have exactly nine) and missing UV authenticity stamps introduced in 2024.

The counterfeit surge has been traced back to factories in China where production lines churn out thousands of knockoffs priced as low as £4 each.

Chinese authorities have recently shut down several plants and seized more than 20,000 fake Labubu toys in a single day.

Despite the crackdown, many of these fakes had already slipped through customs and into the hands of unsuspecting UK buyers.

Mrs Knowles added: “To be on the safe side, only purchase Labubu toys from verified retailers. If the deal looks too good to be true – it probably is.

“With Labubu mania showing no signs of slowing, collectors are being urged to stay vigilant.

“It’s like Pokémon in the ’90s but with shoddy counterfeits flooding the market. These fakes are all over the place now.”

Parents are being urged to check the toys’ packaging carefully for CE or UKCA mark and the name and address of the supplier in the UK or EU to show that the product complies with safety regulations.

Most will have warnings and instructions to ensure their safe use.

Customers should only buy from reputable sellers and consider the price; if it’s a lot cheaper than expected, it may be counterfeit.

Consumers can contact Consumer Advice Scotland on 0808 164 6000 and traders can contact Trading Standards at tradingstandards@aberdeencity.gov.uk.