Where to Find the Markings
Flip the figure upside down and examine the flat bottom of the base. All official Pop Mart Labubu figures have molded markings on the base — these are pressed into the plastic during manufacturing, not painted or printed. You will typically see copyright text, a series identifier, and sometimes a date or batch code.
The markings can be small and hard to read. Use your phone's flashlight at a low angle across the base — this creates shadows in the molded text that make it readable. Taking a photo with flash and then zooming in also works well for tiny text.
Step 1: Decode the Copyright Line
The copyright line tells you the licensor and manufacturer. Standard text includes: '© POPMART' or '© POP MART,' the artist credit (typically 'Kasing Lung' for Labubu designs), and sometimes 'All rights reserved.' This confirms it is an official Pop Mart product.
If you see different copyright text — another company name, no artist credit, or garbled text — the figure may be counterfeit or from a licensed third-party production. Compare the exact wording against known authentic examples for the series you think you have.
For indie studio figures like Voxelyo editions (Duck Bubu, Snow Wing Bubu, Angel Bubu, Pink Fang Bubu), base markings indicate the studio name and edition. These are distinct from Pop Mart markings and clearly identify the piece as a 3D printed edition.
Step 2: Identify the Series Name and Number
Most Labubu bases include a series identifier — either a series name (like 'The Monsters,' 'Have a Seat,' or 'Exciting Macaron') or a product code. Cross-reference this with Pop Mart's series catalog on their website or app to identify your exact series.
Some series use numerical codes instead of names. A number like 'PMF-XXX' is a Pop Mart internal product code. Search this code on the Pop Mart app or in collector databases like popmart.wiki to identify the series and specific figure within it.
Step 3: Read the Date and Batch Code
Production date codes vary by series. Some use a simple year format (e.g., '2024'), others use a year-month format ('2024-06'), and some use batch codes that require cross-referencing. The date tells you when the figure was manufactured, which narrows down the release window.
Earlier production runs within a series sometimes have slightly different quality or details compared to later runs. This matters for completionist collectors and can affect secondary market value for certain editions. First-run figures from popular series sometimes command a premium.
If there is no readable date code, estimate production date from the series release date. Pop Mart typically manufactures figures 2-4 months before retail release. A series that launched in March 2025 was likely produced in late 2024 or early 2025.
Using Markings for Secondary Market Transactions
When buying loose Labubu figures on the secondary market, always ask for a clear photo of the base. Legitimate sellers have no reason to refuse — base photos are standard for establishing edition and authenticity. If a seller cannot or will not provide a base photo, that is a red flag.
Compare the base markings against reference images from collector communities. Reddit, Discord, and Facebook groups maintain databases of authentic base stamps by series. A mismatched or missing base stamp is one of the clearest indicators of a counterfeit figure.
For your own figures, photograph the base of each one and keep the images in your collection tracking spreadsheet. This documentation proves edition and authenticity if you ever sell or trade, and helps insurance claims if your collection is damaged or stolen.