Buying Labubu from Official Pop Mart Shops
In person The easiest way to find Labubu dolls in person is to visit a Pop Mart store. Labubu dolls often sell out quickly, so try to get there as soon as possible after restock. Most stores restock Labubu dolls Friday mornings at 10 a.m. local time—although you may need to do a little recon to find out if that applies to your store. Check out Pop Mart’s “Find a Store” page to see if there’s a location close to you. Pop Mart also has “RoboShops,” which are similar to vending machines. These are often stocked with Labubu blind boxes. In the U.S., these are currently all located in New York and New Jersey, although more may be available in the future. You may also be able to find Labubu at local toy stores.
Pop Mart website or app The Pop Mart website is the most reliable way to find Labubu dolls—but it can still be hard to snag them, since they sell out quickly. The website usually restocks daily between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. PST. Try to log in around 15–20 minutes before the new stock drops, and keep refreshing until about an hour after restock starts. Pop Mart often adds more stock in 10–15 minute increments for about an hour. Some people find they have better luck shopping with the Pop Mart mobile app (available on iOS or Android) because it’s easier to click quickly, increasing your chances of getting a Labubu into your cart. Turn on notifications in the app so you’ll know as soon as there’s a new drop or restock.
PopNow via Pop Mart website Try scrolling through sets with the PopNow feature on the Pop Mart website or app. When a Labubu series becomes available, scroll left and right through the different sets. Each set will show a collection of boxes—the boxes will be colorful if they’re available or greyed out if they’re already reserved. Quickly add a box to your cart if you find one that’s still available. With PopNow, you can get hints about which Labubu is included in the blind box, and your selection will be revealed once you check out. Some collectors like knowing what they’ll get in advance, while others just appreciate that it’s sometimes easier to snag a doll this way.
Official Pop Mart storefronts Pop Mart has official pages on Amazon and AliExpress, and they sometimes sell Labubu dolls on TikTok Live. But the restock times on their storefronts can be inconsistent, so it can be hard to find Labubu in stock—you just have to keep checking and hope you catch a fresh drop. And competition can be really fierce on TikTok Live. The official Pop Mart pages are: Amazon AliExpress TikTok: @popmart_us and @popmartglobal
Buying Labubu from Resellers
Be cautious when buying Labubus from third-party resellers. Some retailers do carry Labubu (they’ve reportedly been found at Urban Outfitters, for instance). And there’s a big resale market for Labubus—collectors who end up with duplicates often sell them online, and some people buy sets of blind boxes specifically for reselling. But mark-ups can be high, and it’s hard to guarantee you’re getting the real thing. Popular sites for buying Labubu from resellers include: StockX: StockX verifies the items sold on the platform, making this a less risky choice than some online resale sites. Kicks Crew: Kicks Crew also authenticates products sold on their platform, and like StockX, they have a solid reputation. eBay: Use caution buying Labubu on eBay—check the seller’s satisfaction rating and feedback from buyers before you make a purchase. Amazon resellers: When you click “See All Buying Options” on a Labubu listing on Amazon, you may find Labubu from other sellers—but, like eBay, research the seller for the best chance of buying an authentic product. Online toy stores: Some online retailers offer Labubu. Do some research on the site—look for reviews online or ask around in Labubu communities on social media to see if others have successfully purchased authentic Labubu dolls before trusting an unknown retailer.
How to Know if a Labubu is Real
Scan the QR code on the box. Fake Labubus (often called Lafufus) are everywhere, and while some are obvious copies, others can be harder to distinguish. To know whether your Labubu is real or fake, start by checking the packaging. Real Labubus come in a box with a QR code (although early Labubus didn’t have a code). If you scan the code, it will take you to the Pop Mart website. Real Labubus also have an identity tag.
Check the details on the Labubu doll. First, count the teeth—authentic Labubus have 9 pointed teeth showing in their smile. Its face should be made of soft vinyl in a pale, matte peach with glossy eyes and soft blush, and its fur will be soft and seamless. The ears should point slightly inward. Check the Labubu’s feet: Look for a Pop Mart logo on the left foot, and use a black light to check for a stamp on the Labubu’s right foot. (Early Labubus do not have this UV stamp.)
Where did Labubus come from?
Labubus were originally storybook characters. They first appeared in a book series called The Monsters by artist Kasing Lung, who created the characters as a way to share his love of Nordic fairytales. The Labubus are kind-hearted, but frequently create havoc when they try to help. Lung also created the Labubu toys, which exploded in popularity in 2019 when he collaborated with Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company. Labubu dolls have vinyl faces and plush bodies, with toothy, mischievous grins (real Labubus have 9 teeth showing). Labubu dolls are often released in “blind boxes,” which means you don’t know exactly what you’re getting until you open the package. Blind box collections include “Exciting Macaron,” “Have a Seat,” “Big Into Energy,” Lazy Yoga,” “Fall in Wild,” “Wings of Fantasy,” and “Coca-Cola.”
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