Parents: check every Labubu toy in your house right now — inspectors say counterfeits are falling apart and risking children’s lives
Sutton Council has issued a public safety warning after trading standards officers discovered a surge in counterfeit Labubu dolls that, officials say, are poorly made and could put young children at risk.
Sutton Council
Counterfeit Labubu
Trading Standards teams from Sutton and neighbouring Kingston report that between July and August 2025 they seized more than 230 suspected fake Labubu dolls. Hundreds more counterfeit units have been reported elsewhere in the UK, the council said, driven in part by the popularity of the collectible range.
“Sutton Council’s Trading Standards team is alerting residents to a rise in dangerous, counterfeit Labubu dolls,” the council said in a statement. “Fuelled by the brand’s online popularity, these fake toys pose serious safety risks, particularly for children.”
Labubu dolls, produced by the Chinese designer toy company Pop Mart, are small, elf-like collectibles characterised by vinyl faces, plush bodies, pointed ears, large eyes and a distinctive grin showing nine teeth. Genuine pieces sell from about £10–£40, while rare originals can fetch extremely high prices on the collectors’ market.
Trading Standards say the counterfeit versions they encountered show poor assembly and weak stitching, and are liable to shed small parts such as hands, feet and eyes — all obvious choking hazards for young children. Poor stuffing and weak joins further increase the risk that pieces will detach during play.
Officials also warned that many of the copies are made from unverified materials that have not been tested to UK toy-safety standards and therefore may contain harmful chemicals.
Counterfeiters often copy genuine packaging and add falsified safety marks to reassure buyers. The council cautioned that fake dolls frequently come from untraceable sellers and can bear misleading markings that suggest they meet regulatory checks when they do not.
Sutton Council urged parents and carers to buy only from reputable retailers and to be wary of purchases from unlicensed street sellers or unverified online sources.
Officials recommend the following checks before buying a Labubu doll:
Packaging authenticity: genuine Labubu dolls typically carry an official holographic sticker and a scannable QR code.
Stitching and joins: look for neat seams and secure attachments — loose stitching or poor glue joints are red flags.
Small parts: gentle tug at non-essential parts (ears, hands) — if pieces feel insecure, do not buy.
Source: avoid unknown online sellers and unlicensed stalls; prefer established toy shops or official brand stockists.
Smell and material finish: an unusually strong chemical smell or cheap, uneven materials can indicate counterfeits.
If you believe you have purchased a dangerous or counterfeit toy, Sutton Council advises:
Stop children playing with it immediately.
Report it to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0800 144 8848.
Keep any packaging and receipts as evidence; record where and when you bought the toy and the seller’s details.
If the toy shows signs of damage or parts coming off, dispose of it safely so it cannot be reused by other children.
Trading Standards warned businesses to carry out due diligence when sourcing stock. Practical steps include:
Buy only from legitimate suppliers and retain full invoices and traceability records.
Do not purchase from unknown sellers or social channels where provenance is unclear.
Remember that selling counterfeit or unsafe toys is a criminal offence.
The craze for designer blind-box collectibles has driven demand and created a lucrative market for fakes. While many bargain copies are bought innocently, the council stressed the safety implications: cheap knockoffs are not always manufactured to safety standards and can present immediate risks to young children.
Parents with concerns about other toys can contact their local Trading Standards office or Citizens Advice for advice on product safety and reporting unsafe items.
