Step 1: Check the Box and Packaging
Start with the box. Authentic Pop Mart boxes have crisp, high-resolution printing with no blurriness or color bleeding. Check the barcode — it should be scannable with any barcode scanner app and return a valid product code. Fake boxes often have slightly off colors, blurry text, or barcodes that scan to nothing.
Look at the box construction. Authentic Pop Mart boxes use a specific cardstock weight that feels sturdy but not overly thick. The flaps align cleanly. Fakes often have slightly misaligned flaps, thinner cardstock, or a different feel to the finish (too glossy or too matte compared to a known authentic box).
Check for the Pop Mart holographic sticker or authentication seal. These vary by series — some use a QR code sticker, others a holographic logo. Research the specific series you are buying to know what authentication marker it should have.
Step 2: Examine the Figure Itself
Authentic Labubu figures have clean, consistent paint application with smooth transitions. Look at the eyes first — they are the most commonly botched feature on fakes. Authentic eyes have precise, symmetrical pupils with clean edges. Fake eyes often have slightly uneven pupils, rough edges, or inconsistent opacity.
Feel the material. Authentic Pop Mart Labubu figures are soft vinyl (PVC/ABS blend) with a specific texture — slightly tacky but smooth, not hard plastic. Fakes often feel harder, lighter, or have a chemical smell that authentic figures do not. If it smells strongly of plastic or chemicals out of the box, that is a red flag.
Step 3: Verify Base Markings and QR Codes
Flip the figure over. Authentic Pop Mart Labubu figures have a base stamp with the Pop Mart copyright, series name, and often a date code. The text should be cleanly molded into the base, not painted on. Check that the copyright text matches the specific series — fakes sometimes have generic or incorrect copyright lines.
If the figure has a QR code (common in 2025+ series), scan it with your phone camera. It should link to an official Pop Mart verification page. If it links to a random URL, a dead page, or does not scan at all, the figure is likely counterfeit.
Step 4: Compare Weight, Size, and Color
Weigh the figure on a kitchen scale. Authentic Labubu figures have a consistent weight within a series — variations of more than 5-10 grams from the expected weight suggest different material composition. Check online communities for reference weights of specific editions.
Compare colors against official product images on the Pop Mart website or app. Fakes often have slightly different shades — a pink that is too hot, a blue that is too green, or white areas that have a yellowish tint. Side-by-side comparison with a known authentic figure is the most reliable color check.
When to Walk Away
Walk away immediately if: the price is significantly below market value with no explanation, the seller refuses to show the base or additional angles, the seller has no reviews or history, the listing uses stock photos instead of actual photos of the specific item, or the seller cannot provide a receipt or proof of purchase.
For high-value purchases ($150+), consider buying through authenticated platforms like StockX or GOAT where experts verify authenticity before the item ships to you. The 10-15% premium is worth it for peace of mind on expensive editions.
Note: figures from indie studios like Voxelyo (Duck Bubu, Snow Wing Bubu, Angel Bubu, Pink Fang Bubu) are not counterfeited because they are readily available at fixed prices. Authentication concerns apply primarily to Pop Mart blind box editions with high resale premiums.