The Official Authentication Method: Pop Mart App Scan
Pop Mart introduced embedded authentication codes starting in 2023. Every authentic Labubu figure comes with either a printed QR code or an NFC chip inside the packaging — not on the outer box, but on an inner card or the figure's base. To verify: download the official Pop Mart app (available on iOS and Android), navigate to the authentication section, and scan or tap the code.
A genuine figure will display the series name, the specific figure variant, and production batch information. A fake, clone, or tampered figure will either show no result, show an error, or (in more sophisticated fakes) show a code that's already been registered to a different sale.
If the code shows 'already verified' on a figure you're buying new, that's a red flag — it may indicate the inner packaging was swapped, the code was photocopied, or the figure was previously opened and repackaged.
6 Physical Checks to Run Before Scanning
Check 1 — Outer box print quality. Pop Mart uses high-resolution printing on all packaging. Text should be crisp with no pixelation. The logo and series name should align perfectly. Fakes often have slightly blurred text or misaligned elements.
Check 2 — Box weight and material. Authentic boxes use heavy-weight cardboard with a matte finish on the outer surface. Fakes typically use thinner cardboard that feels lighter and less rigid.
Check 3 — Interior foam cutout. The foam insert molded to fit the figure should match the figure's shape precisely with no gaps or misalignment. Fakes frequently have poorly-fitting inserts.
Check 4 — Eye detail. Labubu's eyes on genuine figures have depth — a layered, slightly glossy finish that gives them dimension. Fake eyes look flat and opaque, often with pupil placement that doesn't match the original design.
Check 5 — Ear seam quality. On fluffy-ear versions, the seam where fabric meets vinyl should be tight and barely visible. Fakes typically have visible, uneven seams with excess material.
Check 6 — Teeth sharpness. The signature teeth are rounded and proportional on originals. Fakes often make them larger, more pointed, or with uneven paint application.
Buying from Verified Sources Eliminates the Problem
The cleanest way to avoid authentication concerns is buying from verified retailers like Pop Mart's official site or authorized resellers such as Voxelyo, where each figure goes through authenticity verification before fulfillment.
On secondary marketplaces (eBay, StockX, Facebook Marketplace), always ask the seller for a photo of the interior code before purchase, and confirm they'll allow an app scan after delivery. Reputable sellers in the collector community have no reason to refuse this request.
Prices significantly below market value are the earliest warning sign. An authentic Labubu figure from a popular series rarely sells below the original retail price in secondary markets. Suspiciously low prices almost always indicate a replica.