I need to talk about the fakes. Because honestly, it's getting out of hand.
Every week, I get at least a dozen DMs on Instagram or emails at the shop. They all start the same way. "Hey, I got this for a great price, can you tell me if it's real?" And my heart sinks a little every time, because I know that 90% of the time, the answer is no. The rise of the fake labubu lafufu, a catch-all name the community has given these knockoffs, is a problem, and it's tricking a lot of new collectors.
As someone who runs PopNya and handles authentic LABUBU figures all day, I've made it my business to study the enemy. I've bought the fakes. I've held them. I've compared them side-by-side with the real deal. And I'm here to share what I've learned, from one collector to another. This isn't just about protecting your money; it's about protecting the art and the community.
The Box: Your First Clue Is Right in Your Hands
Before you even tear open that blind box, you can often spot a fake. The counterfeiters are getting better, but they almost always cut corners on the packaging. It's the most expensive part to replicate perfectly.
Pick up a box. A real LABUBU Pop Mart box has a specific feel. The cardboard is thick, sturdy, and has a premium matte or satin finish. The printing is razor-sharp. If there's foil stamping (like on the Macaron series), it's clean, reflective, and perfectly aligned.
Now, let's look at a pop mart fake labubu box. * The Cardboard: It feels flimsy. Cheaper. Sometimes it has a weird, glossy sheen all over, even on parts that should be matte. The corners might be poorly folded or already crushed. * The Print Quality: This is a big one. Look closely at the artwork of Kasing Lung. On a fake, the colors will be slightly off, either too saturated or washed out. The lines won't be as crisp. You might see pixelation or a blurry quality, especially on the small text. * The Seal: Real Pop Mart boxes are sealed with a clear, circular sticker or professionally shrink-wrapped. Fakes often have sloppy glue, a cheap-looking sticker, or a loose, crinkly shrink wrap that feels like a sandwich bag.
I once got a fake "Have a Seat" series box where the LABUBU on the front had a slightly green tint to its face. It was subtle, but next to a real one, it was glaring. The fakers don't have access to the original Pantone color codes, and it shows.
Unboxing the Lie: Figure vs. Figure
Okay, you've opened the box. You've torn the foil pouch. You have the figure in your hand. This is the moment of truth.
The Weight and Feel
This is something you only learn from experience, but it's the most reliable test. A real LABUBU has a satisfying density. The vinyl is smooth, high-quality, and cool to the touch. It doesn't feel like a cheap plastic toy from a dollar store.
The fakest labubu figures feel... Hollow. They're lighter. The plastic is often harder, more brittle, and has a greasy or overly shiny texture. Sometimes, they have a strong chemical smell right out of the bag, like a cheap beach ball. A real Pop Mart figure has a very neutral, almost non-existent smell.
The Paint Job: Where Fakes Fall Apart
This is my favorite part, because it's where the artistry of the real product shines. Pop Mart's quality control is generally excellent. On an authentic figure, you'll find: * Clean Lines: The separation between two colors is crisp. * Matte Finish: Most LABUBUs have a beautiful, soft matte finish on their bodies. It's not glossy or reflective. * Consistent Color: The color is even and opaque. No thin spots or weird splotches.
Fakes are a disaster in this department. Look for: * Sloppy Edges: Paint bleeding over the lines, especially around the eyes, teeth, and ears. * Wrong Finish: This is a huge tell. Fakes often use a cheap, glossy paint because it's easier to apply. If your LABUBU Macaron looks shiny like a candied apple, you have a problem. The real ones are almost entirely matte, as I've pointed out in my Honest Labubu Macaron Buyer's Guide. * Wrong Colors: This is especially obvious in popular series. The iconic pink of the Lychee Macaron, for example, is a very specific shade. Fakes are often a brighter, more generic "Barbie" pink. The same goes for the elusive Grape, a detail I cover in the Green Labubu Survival Guide. * Dust and Bumps: Fakes are often painted in non-sterile environments. You'll frequently find tiny specks of dust or hair sealed into the paint layer. Run your finger over the surface. A real LABUBU is smooth. A fake often feels gritty.
The Collector Card and NFC Chip
Every blind box comes with a collector card. On a real one, the cardstock is thick, the printing is sharp, and the corners are perfectly cut. Fake cards feel like flimsy business cards, with blurry images and off-center printing.
And now, the NFC chip. Pop Mart introduced this to help with authenticity. You tap your phone to the figure's head, and it's supposed to verify it. So, is Labubu Pop Mart legit if the NFC works? Not necessarily.
Here's the scary part: counterfeiters have started making fakes with working NFC chips. They clone the signal from a real figure. So while a non-working NFC chip is a huge red flag, a working one is no longer a 100% guarantee of authenticity. It's a cat-and-mouse game. The fakers are adapting.
The Hallmark Question: Does Hallmark Sell Labubu?
I see this question pop up constantly. "I saw a LABUBU at Hallmark!" or "Is it safe to buy from there?"
Let's clear this up. Yes, Hallmark is an official, authorized retailer for Pop Mart in the United States. You can find legitimate Pop Mart products there, like Molly, Skullpanda, or Dimoo. So, technically, the answer to "does hallmark sell labubu" is... Sometimes, maybe, but probably not the one you're looking for.
Here's the reality from a seller's perspective: Hallmark gets general stock. They are not getting priority shipments of the ultra-hyped, instantly-sold-out series like the LABUBU Macarons or the latest crossover. The demand for LABUBU is so astronomical that Pop Mart's own stores and dedicated online retailers (like us!) can barely keep them in stock.
The chance of you walking into a random Hallmark and finding a chase LABUBU sitting on the shelf is practically zero. If you see someone online claiming they found a whole case of the latest hot series at Hallmark, be skeptical. It's far more likely you'll find older series or more widely available figures. They are a legit source for Pop Mart, but they are not the secret honey hole for rare LABUBUs.
Real Talk: My Honest Take as a Seller
Look, I get the temptation. You see a LABUBU Macaron chase figure selling for $200, and then you see a listing on a shady site for $30. It's easy to think, "It looks close enough, who cares?"
But it does matter.
First, the quality is just not there. That fake figure will feel cheap, the paint will chip, and it will never bring you the same joy as the real, beautifully crafted piece. It's the difference between a fine art print and a blurry photocopy.
Second, it hurts the artist. Kasing Lung poured his heart and soul into creating The Monsters. When you buy a fake, none of that money goes to him or the team at Pop Mart who bring his vision to life. You're funding criminals who steal intellectual property. It devalues the entire hobby and discourages artists from creating new, amazing things.
Third, it poisons the community. Fakes create distrust. They make trading and buying secondhand a minefield. I've had to break the news to so many people who were so excited about their new "find," and it's genuinely heartbreaking.
Buying a fake labubu lafufu isn't a "smart hack" to save money. It's supporting a system that undermines the very thing we love. The thrill of collecting, the joy of unboxing a real piece of art, you can't replicate that.
So, Where Can You Get the Real Thing?
This is the most important part. To avoid the heartbreak of a fake, you need to be smart about where you shop.
1. Official Pop Mart Stores: The absolute safest bet. Whether it's a physical store or their official website, you are guaranteed a real LABUBU Pop Mart figure. The downside? The hottest items sell out in seconds. 2. Authorized Retailers: These are stores (both online and physical) that have a direct account with Pop Mart. We at PopNya are a proud authorized retailer. We get our stock directly from the source. You can browse our LABUBU collection knowing that every single item is 100% authentic. Other trusted stores exist, but always do your homework. Look for a professional website and a clear statement about their authorized status. 3. Reputable Secondary Markets (With Caution): Platforms like StockX or established collector groups on Facebook can be good, but the risk is higher. Never, ever "deal" with someone in a DM without buyer protection. Pay with PayPal Goods & Services. Ask for detailed photos: the box, the card, the figure from all angles. If the price seems too good to be true, it is. A $150 chase figure is not going to be sold for $40 by a legitimate seller.
Avoid platforms like AliExpress, Temu, and Wish for hyped collectibles. While you can find legitimate things there, these sites are absolutely flooded with fakes, and it's not worth the gamble.
The world of LABUBU is magical. Kasing Lung's designs are full of wonder and personality. Don't let a cheap imitation spoil that magic for you. Be patient, buy smart, and support the real artists. The feeling of holding an authentic, perfect little monster in your hand is worth every penny.
Disclosure: PopNya may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page.
