Pop Mart's Digital Authentication System
Starting in 2023, Pop Mart moved to a digital authentication system for Labubu and other premium figures. Inside each blind box package — typically on the inner packaging layer or the figure's base — there is either a QR code or an NFC chip. Scanning this with the Pop Mart app confirms the figure's authenticity, series, and production details.
This approach is more secure than paper COAs because codes are registered in Pop Mart's database and tied to a specific production run. A paper certificate can be photocopied; an NFC chip cannot be easily cloned without specialized equipment.
What the Authentication Code Shows
When you scan a valid code, the Pop Mart app displays: the series name (e.g., 'The Monsters'), the specific figure name within that series, the production batch identifier, and confirmation that the item is an authentic Pop Mart product. For numbered limited editions, the edition number may also be recorded.
If the code shows 'already verified,' it means someone has already scanned this specific code — which can happen if the figure was previously opened and repackaged, or if the code was copied from one package to another. For new purchases, a 'first scan' result is what you want to see.
Special Editions and Numbered Certificates
Some high-value special editions — particularly artist collaborations and convention exclusives — do include numbered physical documentation inside the packaging in addition to the digital authentication. These are exception, not the rule, and typically accompany figures priced $50+ at retail.
If you're purchasing a high-value secondary market figure and the seller claims it includes a numbered certificate, verify this against known documentation for that specific release. Some fakes include counterfeit certificates — the digital scan verification remains the most reliable check.
For resale purposes, having the original inner packaging (which contains the QR code or NFC chip) is the equivalent of a COA. Selling a figure without original packaging and code intact lowers buyer confidence and secondary market value.