Counterfeit Labubu dolls seized in Portugal

Thousands of fake Labubu dolls have been seized in a Portuguese operation set up to crack down on removing products from the market that could be harmful to children.

The operation by Portugal's Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica (ASAE) focused on importers and distributors of toys and other products aimed at younger consumers, with a focus on large-volume commercial warehouses and large stores.

Around 35,000 of the fake versions of the highly collectable dolls and bag charms – designed by Dutch-Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and produced by Chinese toymaker Pop Mart – were seized in the clampdown, with 28 criminal proceedings launched for counterfeiting, imitation, and illegal use of trademarks, as well as misuse of the CE mark, failure to label in Portuguese, and failure to comply with the distributor's legal obligations, according to a statement from ASAE. Two arrests have been made.

The soft toys became a phenomenon after being worn by celebrities like Rihanna and Dua Lipa in TikTok reels, with some reports suggesting millions are sold every month. The authorities have warned that counterfeits have the potential to pose significant dangers to young children, such as chemical exposure and choking hazards.

Pop Mart has resorted to litigation to try to protect its brand, including a US federal lawsuit against 7-Eleven franchises selling 'Lafufu' fakes.