Halton Trading Standards has raised concerns about counterfeit Labubu dolls, which are in high demand this Christmas.
The dolls, originally created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and now sold by Pop Mart, feature round, furry bodies, oversized eyes, and a wide grin with nine sharp teeth.
Jerry Burnie, head of toy safety at the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA), said: “Counterfeit toys are a significant risk as they are unlikely to meet the strict toy safety standards required of the legitimate toy maker.
“When shopping for branded items we would always recommend researching the toy brand and try to buy from the company directly or through a reputable retailer who you can easily return the product to.
“If you are buying online, particularly through an online marketplace, then include the name of the toy company in the search and compare the listing against the toy company’s own website.”
The Chartered Institute of Trading Standards has confirmed that thousands of unsafe counterfeit Labubu dolls have already been seized across the UK.
Officials say these fake dolls are poorly made and pose a serious risk to children, with detachable parts like eyes, hands, and feet that could cause choking.
Loose stitching and exposed stuffing also present a suffocation hazard.
The counterfeit dolls often lack legally required safety information, including CE or UKCA markings, importer details, and safety warnings.
Without proper testing, they may contain toxic chemicals such as lead or harmful dyes.
A spokesman for Halton Trading Standards said: “We are urging parents to be wary of where they buy their Labubu dolls from and, while price is normally a good indicator of a counterfeit product, because of their popularity some counterfeit dolls are selling for the same price as the genuine products.”
Genuine Pop Mart dolls can be identified by a holographic POP MART sticker, a QR code linking to the official website, and, on newer models, a UV stamp on one foot.
Counterfeit versions often have overly bright colours and the wrong number of teeth.
Anyone with information about the sale of counterfeit toys can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.