Labubu Box Real vs Fake: What Most People Get Wrong

Look, I get it. You just dropped a decent chunk of change on a "Have a Seat" or a "Macaron" series Labubu, and now you’re staring at the box with a sinking feeling in your gut. Maybe the color looks a bit too... neon? Or the cardboard feels like it came off a cereal box?

Honestly, the counterfeit market for Pop Mart is getting terrifyingly good. We aren't just dealing with "Lafufus" that have five teeth anymore. We're dealing with "super fakes" that even some seasoned collectors struggle to call out.

If you're trying to figure out if your Labubu box real vs fake situation is a win or a total scam, you've got to look past the surface. In 2026, the scammers have figured out how to replicate the weight, the smell, and even the "first-time scan" message on some shady third-party sites.

The Box: Where Most Fakes Trip Up

Basically, the first thing you should do is run your thumb across the box. A genuine Pop Mart box—especially the updated 2026 minimalist redesign—uses FSC-certified paperboard. It has this specific matte, soft-touch finish. It feels premium.

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Fakes? They’re usually glossy. If it’s reflecting your ceiling light like a polished mirror, it's a huge red flag.

The "Trash Can" Secret

Check the bottom of the box. You’ll see the little "don't throw this in the trash" symbol. On a real box, the arrows in that symbol have rounded corners. Counterfeiters almost always miss this and use a standard icon with sharp, square corners. It’s a tiny detail, but it’s a classic "tell" because the people making the fakes aren't using the original high-res design files from Kasing Lung’s team.

Color Saturation

Real boxes have muted, sophisticated pastel tones. Think "dusty rose" or "moss green." Fakes tend to be way too vibrant. If the pink on the box looks like Barbie's dream house, it’s probably a dud.

The QR Code Trap (Don't Get Fooled)

You've probably heard that the QR code is the ultimate proof. Well, sort of.

Lately, scammers have been using a trick called "box-swapping." They take a real, authentic box, pull out the genuine Labubu, and stuff a high-quality fake inside before resealing it. So, your phone tells you the box is "100% Authentic," but the doll inside is a cheap imitation.

Verify the URL

When you scan that code, don't just look for a green checkmark. Look at the URL. - Authentic URLs: m-gss.popmart.com or fwsy.popmart.com.

• Fake URLs: Anything that looks like popmart-verify.net or pop-mart.com.co.

Also, if the page takes forever to load or looks slightly pixelated, close it. It’s a phishing site designed to make you think you’re safe.

Anatomy of a Real Labubu: The 9-Teeth Rule

Once you open that box, the truth usually comes out. Grab a magnifying glass—I'm serious.

1. The Teeth: Every standard Labubu has exactly nine teeth. Count them. If there are eight or ten, it's a fake. But even if there are nine, look at where they start. On a real one, the teeth grow directly out of the "gum line" (the blue or brown line of the mouth) with no gap. Fakes often have a messy gap or paint that bleeds onto the face.
2. The Nose: Take a UV light (a blacklight). The nose of an authentic Labubu will glow like Rudolph. Most fakes don't use fluorescent paint because it costs more.
3. The Foot Stamp: Flip it over. The right foot of newer models (2024–2026) has a hidden UV stamp. Under blacklight, you should see a clear silhouette of the character. If it’s a blurry blob or completely blank, you’ve been scammed.

The Feel of the Fur

Authentic Labubus feel like a high-end plush toy. The fur is soft, consistent, and doesn't shed when you give it a light tug.

Fakes? They feel "plasticky" or "crunchy." Sometimes the stitching is so tight it makes the Labubu look like it’s had a bad facelift. The ears should also point slightly inward. If they’re sticking straight up like a rabbit or pointing outward, that’s not the Labubu charm—that’s a factory error from a knockoff shop.

What to Do if You Bought a Fake

It sucks. It really does. But if you’ve realized your Labubu box real vs fake check ended in a "fake" result, you have options.

• Document everything: Take photos of the square-cornered trash can icon, the blurry QR code, and the lack of a UV stamp on the foot.
• Chargeback: If you bought it through a credit card or PayPal, open a dispute immediately. Use the "Counterfeit Goods" reason.
• Report the seller: Whether it’s eBay, TikTok Shop, or a random Instagram "collector," report them. It helps keep the community clean.

If you want to be 100% safe next time, stick to official Pop Mart flagship stores or Roboshops. The secondary market is a minefield, and while the "deal" might look good, the disappointment of a "Lafufu" isn't worth the $10 you saved.

Next steps for you:

• Grab a UV flashlight (you can find them cheap online) and check the right foot for that hidden silhouette.
• Carefully compare the "A" in the "POP MART" logo on your box to official photos; the triangle inside the "A" should be large and crisp, not a tiny dot.
• Check the inner foil bag; it should be matte, not shiny like a bag of potato chips.