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2w ago

Seattle Seizes 11,134 Fake Labubu Dolls as UK Raids Expand Over Safety Risks

Officials flag safety risks from counterfeits, urging buyers to verify authenticity.

Labubu plush dolls on September 2, 2025, in Hong Kong, China.
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Overview

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport intercepted 11,134 counterfeit Labubu dolls on Aug. 26 with a suggested retail value of $513,937.76.
  • The air-cargo shipment was falsely declared as “LED Bulb,” listed as originating from South Korea, and the dolls will be destroyed; no arrests have been announced.
  • UK Trading Standards teams have seized thousands from retailers, including more than 2,000 in North Tyneside, 600+ in North Somerset, 840 in Staffordshire, 588 in South Lanarkshire, and over 100 in Moray.
  • Regulators warn the knockoffs can break apart into small pieces and may contain harmful chemicals such as high levels of phthalates, posing choking and toxic-exposure risks to children.
  • Authorities advise buyers to look for holographic Pop Mart stickers, scannable QR codes, newer UV foot stamps, and CE or UKCA markings with supplier details, as scarcity and high resale values have fueled the counterfeit trade.