Not drugs or gold, Chinese officials uncover cuddly Labubu toy smuggling
Chinese customs officers recently made an unusual discovery, finding dozens of Pop Mart's popular Labubu toys hidden in suitcases and being smuggled for resale.
Far from drugs or weapons, these quirky and popular toys are now part of a growing illegal resale market.
The plush characters, created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung, have become a hot trend not just in China but across the globe, thanks in part to celebrity endorsements from Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Blackpink's Lisa.
Some were even spotted at Paris Fashion Week.
The toys' scarcity is fuelling desperation among fans. During a recent visit by CNN to a Pop Mart store in a busy Beijing mall, not a single Labubu was found on sale — only display models remained under lock and key.
'They're sold out in seconds,' said Evelyn Lin, a long-time fan. 'It's almost impossible to get a Labubu via the official channels.'
That scarcity has pushed many into the arms of smugglers and resellers. According to a CNN tally of official notices, Chinese customs authorities have confiscated 462 Pop Mart toys since April. In one post, China's customs administration confirmed the toys were intended 'for profit by resale' and were seized in accordance with the law.
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However, it did not confirm if any legal charges had been filed against the individuals involved.
Labubus, known for their bunny-shaped bodies and mischievous elf-like faces, with sharp pointy teeth, now retail for extremely high prices on second-hand platforms. One blind box from the latest Labubu 3.0 collection, initially priced at 584 yuan (£64), is reportedly reselling for between 1,000 and 2,000 yuan (£110–£220), according to Chinese state media.
Pop Mart itself is thriving, as the company's latest financials show global gross profit more than doubled last year, and its revenue in mainland China surged to over $1.09 billion, a 34% increase from the year before.
But with skyrocketing demand comes risk. Beijing resident Kate Yang, an avid collector, says she's been duped twice after purchasing what turned out to be fake Labubus online.
'Because they are not available on official platforms, if you're in a rush to get a gift for a friend, you just can't manage to get the popular ones in time,' Yang explained. 'You can only pay extra to buy from resale platforms.'
As Pop Mart's most famous creature continues to charm fans around the world, the lengths people are willing to go to get their hands on one may be the most surreal chapter yet in Labubu's wild rise.
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