How to Tell If a LABUBU Is Real: 7 Authenticity Checks

Knowing how to tell if a LABUBU is real requires more than counting teeth or scanning one QR code. Counterfeiters can copy obvious details, while authentic POP MART products can vary by series, format, market and production batch. The safest method is layered: verify the code through POP MART’s official service, identify the exact edition, then compare the packaging, card, sculpt, materials, stitching, hardware and seller history.

This seven-step guide applies to vinyl figures, vinyl-face plush pendants and fixed LABUBU products. For an even closer packaging analysis, use Ri-son’s LABUBU packaging and QR guide, then compare current items in the LABUBU & THE MONSTERS collection.

Who Is LABUBU and Why Are Fakes Common?

LABUBU belongs to THE MONSTERS, the character world created by artist Kasing Lung. Its pointed ears, wide grin and mischievous expression are recognizable, but the character now appears in many formats: small figures, vinyl plush pendants, larger dolls, collaborations, fixed releases and accessories. High demand and resale attention have encouraged counterfeit versions commonly called “Lafufu.”

The variety creates a trap. A genuine Have a Seat pendant should not be judged against Big into Energy as though the fur, tags, packaging and colors must be identical. First establish the full official product name and format; only then begin comparing details.

1. Use POP MART’s Official Verification Process

POP MART instructs customers to scratch the coating on the box label, reveal the verification code and submit it through the official authenticity service. Navigate from POP MART’s help page or carefully confirm the destination domain. A page that copies the POP MART logo is not necessarily official.

The result must also be interpreted correctly. POP MART recognizes genuine “first scan,” genuine “multiple scans” and genuine “exceeded maximum scan count” results. Multiple scans therefore do not automatically mean fake. However, an unusually high scan history on an item sold as untouched should prompt further checks because a genuine code can be copied onto counterfeit boxes.

2. Identify the Exact Series, Character and Format

Write down the series, character, release format and claimed condition. Is it a sealed random blind box, a whole set, an opened confirmed character, a fixed plush or a limited release? The card, package, material list and seals should correspond to that exact product.

For example, Ri-son’s ACTIVE LABUBU Have a Seat and LABUBU Big into Energy are both vinyl plush products, but they are separate series. 

3. Inspect the Box as a Complete Printing System

Check the series name, typography, artwork resolution, logo spacing, barcode, warning panels and specification text together. Blurry imagery, misspellings, inconsistent fonts, poorly aligned panels or information copied from another release are meaningful warning signs. One small color difference is weaker evidence because screens, lighting and regional packaging can vary.

Look for signs of reopening: double adhesive, torn paper fibers, residue, heat damage or crushed flaps that have been pressed back into place. An opened box is not automatically fake—confirmed-character sellers open boxes deliberately—but the condition should be disclosed honestly.

4. Compare the Card, Inner Bag and Labels

The character card should match the figure inside by exact series and design name. Compare image sharpness, finish, proportions and spelling. A convincing card alone cannot prove authenticity, but an incorrect card strongly weakens the seller’s claim.

Check the inner bag and textile labels against the same release rather than a viral photo from an unrelated series. Official packaging changes over time, so an older bag marking is not a universal rule. For plush, review care labels, tag placement and printed information without assuming every production run is identical.

5. Examine the Face, Ears, Teeth and Paint

Many classic LABUBU designs are associated with nine pointed teeth, but tooth count is not a complete authentication method. Counterfeiters know this rule, and different expressions or product formats may not present the mouth in exactly the same way.

Study the overall sculpt: ear length and symmetry, head-to-body ratio, face shape, eye placement, mouth depth, tooth definition and paint boundaries. Authentic pieces can have small factory variations, but several major proportion errors together are more concerning than a tiny paint mark.

6. Check Plush Construction, Materials and Hardware

For vinyl-face plush pendants, examine fur density and direction, stuffing balance, seam placement, embroidery, stitching and the join between vinyl and fabric. Inspect metal rings, clasps and decorative parts for rough edges, loose fittings or an obviously incorrect finish.

Strong chemical odor, sticky vinyl, brittle plastic, exposed glue and dramatically uneven construction are warnings. Still, a loose thread or slightly uneven fur can occur in legitimate mass production. Record the issue, compare official details and weigh all the evidence before reaching a conclusion.

7. Evaluate Price, Seller and Purchase History

A low price is not proof of a fake, but a price far below normal becomes risky when combined with stolen stock photos, pressure to pay outside a protected checkout, refusal to show the code, or unlimited quantities of rare secrets. Ask for current photos of the front and back of the box, label, card, inner packaging and item from several angles.

A receipt can support provenance, but it does not prove the photographed item is the one on that receipt. Use protected payment methods and save the listing and conversation until verification is complete. Ri-son’s ACTIVE LABUBU Secret Archive offers identified hidden editions; product options should still be read carefully before purchase.

Five LABUBU Authentication Myths

• “A working QR code guarantees authenticity.” False; genuine codes can be copied.
• “Multiple scans always mean fake.” False; POP MART lists genuine multiple-scan outcomes.
• “Nine teeth prove it is real.” False; teeth are only one sculpt detail.
• “Every genuine box is identical.” False; region, batch and format can change packaging.
• “An opened box must be counterfeit.” False; identified products are intentionally opened, but disclosure matters.

What to Do If You Suspect a Fake

1. Stop using suspicious QR destinations and do not enter payment or account credentials.
2. Keep the box, labels, card, inner bag and shipping package.
3. Photograph all panels and the item under neutral light.
4. Save the product listing, payment record and seller messages.
5. Contact the seller and POP MART customer support with evidence.
6. Open a marketplace or payment dispute before its deadline when appropriate.

Do not destroy or discard the product while a claim is being reviewed. A complete evidence trail is more useful than one close-up image of the teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to tell if a LABUBU is real?

Verify the code through POP MART, identify the exact edition, and compare packaging, card, sculpt, materials, stitching and seller history together.

Does a genuine QR result guarantee authenticity?

No. Genuine codes can be copied, so the physical product and packaging must also match.

Does “multiple scans” mean fake?

No. POP MART recognizes genuine multiple-scan results, although the history should prompt additional inspection.

How many teeth should a real LABUBU have?

Many classic designs have nine pointed teeth, but tooth count cannot authenticate every format or expression.

Can authentic LABUBU packaging differ?

Yes. Packaging can vary by series, format, market, batch and production period.

Authoritative Sources

• POP MART official authenticity instructions
• POP MART official verification service
• POP MART official FAQs
• POP MART returns guidance
• FTC phishing guidance
• FTC online-shopping guidance