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France seizes over 50,000 counterfeit toys, Including thousands of fake “Labubu” dolls
French customs officials announced Thursday that they had seized nearly 56,000 counterfeit toys in the Paris region in September, including thousands of fake Labubu plush dolls, the viral Chinese figurines that have become a global sensation.
The seizures took place during targeted inspections of express freight and postal shipments, the customs service said in a statement. Officers in Combs-la-Ville (Seine-et-Marne) intercepted several pallets from Belgium containing 7,392 counterfeit plush toys and 8,624 fake packaging boxes in mid-September.
A few days later, their colleagues in Aulnay-sous-Bois (Seine-Saint-Denis) discovered another 7,700 plush dolls in a warehouse in La Courneuve. Investigators later traced the shipment to a business in Aubervilliers, where customs agents found an additional 29,000 counterfeit items, including imitations of other popular animation-themed products.
“Mystery boxes” phenomenon
Produced in limited quantities by the Chinese retail chain Pop Mart, Labubu dolls (pronounced La-boo-boo) are sold in “mystery boxes,” where buyers don’t know which model they will receive. The craze for these collectibles has sparked massive lines in Pop Mart’s more than 400 stores worldwide.
According to customs, plush toys inspired by popular characters — along with figurines, trading cards, keychains, and electronic accessories — are now among the most counterfeited products.
Authorities warn consumers to remain vigilant as year-end shopping seasons such as Black Friday and Christmas approach, noting that these counterfeit goods are poorly made, non-compliant with safety standards, and may pose risks to children.
Earlier this year, tens of thousands of fake Labubu dolls were already seized, including 25,000 stuffed toys found in a truck from the UK. In 2024 alone, French customs seized over 21 million counterfeit items, according to their annual report.
