How Much Does a Real Labubu Doll Cost: What Most People Get Wrong

How Much Does a Real Labubu Doll Cost: What Most People Get Wrong

You've probably seen them everywhere—strapped to the backpacks of K-pop stars, dangling from celebrity keychains, or staring at you with those mischievous, nine-toothed grins from a glass display case. Labubu is everywhere. But if you're looking to actually buy one, you've likely noticed the prices are all over the place. One site says $15, another says $200, and then you see a news headline about one selling for the price of a Tesla. It's confusing. Honestly, it's a bit of a minefield.

The short answer? A standard, real Labubu doll costs about $15 to $28 at retail. But—and this is a big "but"—actually getting one for that price is where things get tricky.

The Retail Reality: What You Should Pay

If you walk into a POP MART store today, you aren't going to spend a fortune. For the latest "Labubu 3.0" Norse Mythology series or the "Wings of Fortune" vinyl plush, you’re looking at a base price. In mainland China, they usually retail for around ¥99 (about $13.50 USD). However, if you’re buying in the United States or Europe, that price jumps.

Recent tariff shifts and shipping costs have pushed the U.S. retail price to roughly $28 per blind box. It’s a jump from the $22 price point we saw last year.

  • Standard Blind Boxes: $15 – $28
  • Vinyl Plush Hangings (Macarons): $25 – $40
  • Mega Labubu 400%: $150 – $300
  • Mega Labubu 1000%: $800 – $2,000+ (if you can find them)

The catch? They are almost always "Out of Stock." This scarcity is exactly what feeds the secondary market monster.

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Why Does a $20 Toy Sell for $300?

Basically, it comes down to the "Secret" or "Chase" figures. Every blind box series has one rare character that only appears once in every 72 or 144 boxes. If you pull the "Chestnut Cocoa" secret from the Macaron series, you didn't just buy a toy; you essentially won a mini-lottery.

On platforms like StockX or Xianyu, these secret variants easily command a 700% price premium. A "Chestnut Cocoa" pendant that retailed for $20 frequently sells for $135 to $160.

Then there are the "mega" versions. In June 2025, a life-sized mint green Labubu—standing over four feet tall—shattered records at a Beijing auction, selling for over $170,000. That's not a typo. For the ultra-rich collectors, Labubu has moved from "cute toy" to "fine art investment."

Regional Price Gaps Are Real

Where you live matters. If you have a friend in Bangkok or Shanghai, ask them to check the local POP MART.

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In Thailand, the "Labubu fever" reached such a peak that prices actually started to stabilize recently as the market became saturated. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the lack of physical flagship stores means many collectors are forced to use resellers, which instantly adds a 30-50% markup just for a "common" figure.

  1. China: Cheapest ($13 - $15)
  2. Japan: Mid-range ($15 - $19)
  3. USA/Europe: Most expensive retail ($28+)

Spotting the "Lafufu": How to Avoid Fakes

Because the demand is so high, the market is flooded with "Lafufus"—the community's name for fakes. If you see a Labubu for $8 on a random social media ad, it's fake. Period.

Real Labubus have exactly nine teeth. Not eight, not ten. The eyes should be glossy and embedded deep into the vinyl, not just painted on the surface. Also, check the feet. Authentic POP MART figures usually have a logo embossed on the bottom, and some newer series even have a hidden logo that only appears under UV light.

The box is another dead giveaway. Real packaging is matte and feels high-end with crisp printing. Fakes often have glossy, blurry boxes that look like they were printed on a home inkjet.

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Is the Hype Fading?

As of early 2026, we’re starting to see a slight cool-down. Speculative prices on common figures have dropped by about 24% from their 2025 peak. This is actually good news for you. It means you might finally be able to find a "Have a Seat" plush for closer to its original price rather than paying triple-digit "hype tax."

Analysts at Morgan Stanley noted that while the "resale premium" is narrowing, the brand itself is still strong because POP MART is shifting production to Vietnam to keep costs down.

What You Should Do Next

If you're ready to buy, don't just click the first link on eBay. Start by checking the official POP MART website or their Global AliExpress store to see if a restock is coming. If you must go the resale route, use a platform with authentication services like SNKRDUNK or StockX.

Always verify the QR code on the back of the box immediately upon arrival. This code should take you to a popmart.com domain for verification—if it sends you to a weird, generic-looking site, you’ve been scammed.

Stick to verified sellers and remember: if the price feels too good to be true, those nine teeth are probably just a dream.