If there’s a young child in your life, you’ve likely heard of ‘Labubu’ toys. This plush toy is all the rage in the U.S. in 2025; the toy is based on storybook characters created by artist Kasing Lung. The toys are trendy and sought-after, largely as a result of celebrity endorsements, social media trends, and the unique appeal of their design and scarcity. Children (and adult collectors) are ensorcelled by the “blind box” sales, where the purchaser gets to be surprised by which specific doll is inside, the aesthetic (described as “weird” and “cute”), and the limited availability of certain designs.
But, as is wont to happen with nearly any trend where people are willing to drop money on a flash-in-the-pan item—and will search endlessly to score one for their child—knockoffs are everywhere.
One factor driving Labubu’s cachet is being “in the know” enough to determine whether it is real or fake. But lots of consumers are more than happy to have a fake Labubu (also called a “Lafufu”… yes, really) to satisfy a child without having to shell out the big bucks for a coveted, but inexpensive, toy. There are also Lafufus purported to be authentic Labubus being sold off-market by private resellers, but they’re not, in fact, the real deal.
An authentic Labubu is made and sold by Chinese retailer Pop Mart. A blind box Labubu retails for $27.99, and a set of six is typically $167.64. However, there are exclusive or “rare” Labubus that can retail for hundreds of dollars. The high demand has led to resellers using eBay and other sites to sell the dolls for far higher than their original price.
But there’s a downside to the fake Labubus—namely, a recent warning that they pose a potentially fatal hazard to children.
Choking warning on fake Labubu toys
After receiving reports of fake Labubu dolls that break apart easily, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned this week about fake Labubus because they have parts that are small enough for a child to put in their mouth and block their airway. The CPSC identified multiple shipments of these knockoff Labubus entering the country from China.
The agency warns parents to buy only authentic Labubus to avoid injury or death to a child.
Although the U.S. has seized multiple shipments of counterfeit Lafufus and the U.K. has confiscated more than 2,000 Lafufus in the past month, knockoffs are still entering the country.
How do children choke on Lafufus?
A baby or young child has a narrower airway than an adult. This means they’re more susceptible to airway obstruction from a small object. An object that can easily fit into a child’s windpipe—like small toys or food—can cause a blockage. If the object is small enough to fit through the windpipe, it can become lodged, which prevents air from entering the lungs and causes choking. When the airway is completely blocked, the child could suffocate, suffer brain damage, or even die if not rescued promptly.
Parents must ensure that any toys for young children are age-appropriate and do not include small, detachable parts that could be swallowed.
CPSC Acting Chair Peter A. Feldman said, “These fake Labubu dolls are dangerous, illegal, and have no place in American homes. No parent should have to wonder if a toy will stop their child from breathing.”
How to know if your Labubu is real
- An authentic Pop Mart Labubu has a holographic Pop Mart sticker, a scannable QR code that links to the official Pop Mart site, and a subtle UV stamp on one foot.
- An authentic Labubu has nine teeth.
- Fakes often have very bright colors or the wrong number of teeth.
- Purchased only from a trusted store or online marketplace.
- An authentic Labubu should have safety labeling, such as choking hazard warnings and independent safety certification marks.
Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you’re purchasing a Labubu well under the retail price, or otherwise deeply discounted, it’s likely to be a fake.
These Lafufu dolls violate federal toy safety standards and represent a growing risk in the marketplace—especially during this collectible toy frenzy. The crackdown underscores the importance of regulation, enforcement, and consumer vigilance in protecting children from harmful counterfeit goods.