Labubu fakes snatch high premiums amid strong demand – reports

Fake blind boxes of Pop Mart's (9992) Labubu figurines reportedly cost just a few yuan to produce but are shipped overseas and sold for over US$20 (HK$156) each, according to mainland media.

The knockoff versions even often face shortages due to high demand, as Labubu's popularity has fueled a surge in counterfeit sales on e-commerce platforms, the report said.

Experts cited in the report said that while stronger enforcement against counterfeiting is needed in China, official producers must also address the imbalance between supply and demand. 

High prices and limited availability of authentic products create opportunities for scalpers and counterfeiters to exploit the gap, the report said.

One expert further suggested that popular intellectual properties like Labubu could consider adopting non-fungible token-style digital collectibles to better protect against counterfeiting.

STAFF REPORTER