The Anatomy of a Labubu Blind Box
A standard Labubu blind box has three components: an outer cardboard sleeve printed with the series artwork, an inner cardboard tray that slides inside the sleeve, and a clear plastic clamshell or molded insert inside the tray that holds the figure in position. Some series also include a collector card that sits flat under or beside the plastic insert. Understanding this structure makes opening straightforward and damage-free.
The outer sleeve is glued closed at the top and bottom. Pop Mart seals the sleeve specifically so buyers cannot open and reseal it to check the variant inside — this is the 'blind' element of the blind box. Attempting to open the sleeve from the top or bottom by separating the glued seams is one of the most common ways people damage the packaging. The correct approach is to open from the side, where the tray slides out.
The collector card, if included, is usually positioned between the plastic insert and the inner tray floor. Handle it carefully — the card is thin and corners dent easily. If you plan to keep the card in mint condition, remove it before handling the figure, as reaching past the figure to retrieve the card often results in accidental contact with the paint.
Step-by-Step Opening Process
Step 1: Orient the box so you can see the bottom (the end usually not printed with the series number). Most Labubu blind boxes have a small text on the base identifying the series. Step 2: Look for the tray opening — usually on one of the long sides of the box, you'll see a slight gap or a pull tab where the inner tray begins. On many series, there's a small tab or notch at the bottom edge of the tray for gripping.
Step 3: Grip the tray edges (not the outer sleeve) with your thumb and index finger and slide the tray straight out. Apply even, gentle pressure — the tray should slide smoothly without force. If it resists, check that you're not gripping the outer sleeve instead of the inner tray. Step 4: Once the tray is clear of the sleeve, set the sleeve aside in a safe location (you'll want to keep it for storage or resale). Place the tray on a flat surface.
Step 5: Open the plastic clamshell or remove the plastic insert cover — this is usually a snap-fit or a peel-and-fold design. Lift the figure out by gripping the body, not the ears or accessories (the ears and small accessories are the most fragile attachment points). Step 6: Check beneath the figure for the collector card and remove it flat rather than at an angle to avoid bending.
Preserving the Box for Resale or Storage
If resale value matters to you, treat the box as carefully as the figure. Secondary market buyers consistently pay more for figures that come with complete, undamaged original packaging — the difference between a 'mint in box' figure and one sold 'figure only' can be 30-50% of value depending on the series. This means: don't tear the sleeve when opening, store the outer sleeve flat to prevent creasing, and keep the plastic insert inside the box rather than discarding it.
The most common box damage during opening is crease lines from pressing too hard on the outer sleeve while trying to extract the inner tray. To avoid this, place the box on a flat hard surface and use a pushing motion from the bottom of the tray rather than a squeezing-and-pulling motion from the sleeve sides. Some collectors use a butter knife or flat card as a lever at the tray opening to avoid hand pressure on the sleeve entirely.
For storage, keep the figure in its original box inside a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Stacking boxes on their sides rather than stacked flat reduces pressure on the bottom box's sleeve. If storing long-term, a small silica gel packet inside the box will absorb humidity and help prevent the vinyl from developing white oxidation spots over years of storage.
What to Do If You Get a Duplicate or Unwanted Variant
The blind box mechanic guarantees you'll occasionally get a variant you already own or don't particularly want. The collector community has well-established norms for handling duplicates: trading in online communities (Reddit's r/BlindBox, Pop Mart's own app trading feature, Discord servers), selling on resale platforms, or gifting to friends who are new to Labubu. Having a duplicate is not a problem — it's expected.
If trading duplicates, keeping the original box in good condition significantly improves your trading leverage. A duplicate in mint box is a more desirable trade than a loose figure, even if the figures are identical. Clean, undamaged packaging is a currency in collector trading communities.
Some collectors buy full cases of 12 to guarantee a complete set. A full case typically contains all regular variants once each and may or may not contain the hidden variant depending on the specific series ratio. Even when buying a case, the hidden figure is not guaranteed — its pull rate means some cases won't contain it. Buying a full case is an efficient way to complete the regular set; it's not a guarantee of the hidden.