Last month, two Chinese customs officers revealed a surprising seizure—not drugs or weapons, but suitcases stuffed with plush toys. The confiscated items included dozens of Pop Mart’s Labubu figures, the quirky, toothy collectibles that have ignited buying frenzies and even occasional fights among fans worldwide.
Even in China, where Pop Mart is headquartered and most Labubu toys are manufactured, these sought-after figures are hard to come by. A recent visit to a Pop Mart store in a busy Beijing shopping mall showed empty shelves where Labubus usually sell out within seconds, leaving only display models behind glass.
“It’s almost impossible to get a Labubu through official channels,” longtime fan Evelyn Lin said, describing the frenzy around these toys.
Due to their scarcity, fans have resorted to alternative methods to acquire Labubus, including purchasing from smugglers. Since April, Chinese customs have confiscated 462 Pop Mart toys, according to a review of multiple official announcements.
One seizure, highlighted on social media by China’s Customs Administration, noted that the toys were intended for resale profits and were confiscated legally. The posts did not clarify if the smugglers faced further penalties.
Labubu was created by Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung and has quietly gained a dedicated fan base since its 2015 launch. Recently, its popularity has soared, with celebrities such as Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and K-pop star Lisa from Blackpink sporting Labubu accessories. The toys have even appeared at major events like Paris Fashion Week.
According to Chinese state media Cover News, a blind box from the latest Labubu 3.0 collection, which originally sold for about 584 yuan ($81), now commands between 1,000 and 2,000 yuan ($139 to $278) on resale markets.
Pop Mart’s financial reports reveal a massive growth in profits, with global gross profit rising over 125% last year. Revenue in mainland China surpassed $1.09 billion, a 34% increase compared to 2023.
However, buying from resellers carries risks. Beijing resident and Labubu fan Kate Yang shared that her last two purchases from resale platforms were counterfeit.
“With official channels lacking stock, if you need a gift quickly, popular Labubus are almost impossible to find in time,” Yang said. “That leaves you no choice but to pay extra on resale sites.”
