MORE THAN $500,000 IN COUNTERFEIT LABUBU DOLLS SEIZED AT SEATTLE AIRPORT. (PHOTO).

 More than $500,000 in counterfeit Labubu dolls seized at Seattle airport, CBP reports

Authorities at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport intercepted a shipment of counterfeit Labubu dolls last week with a retail value exceeding $500,000, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

CBP officers inspecting air cargo seized 11,134 dolls, with a suggested retail price of $513,937.76. The shipment, labeled deceptively as “LED Bulb” and originating from South Korea, was confiscated on Aug. 26 for violating federal law against unlawful imports and intellectual property infringement. The counterfeit dolls are slated for destruction, and while no arrests have been made, authorities have not ruled out future action.

Fake Labubu dolls, sometimes referred to as “Lafufus,” have raised safety concerns, with community councils warning that poorly made copies could pose choking hazards and contain harmful chemicals. The original dolls are produced by Pop Mart and feature characters from “The Monsters” series, inspired by a Nordic mythology-themed picture book trilogy created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. Pop Mart launched Labubu vinyl collectibles in “blind box” packaging, which conceals the specific version of the doll until opened.

Labubu recently gained attention at the U.S. Open in New York City, where tennis star Naomi Osaka showcased custom dolls modeled after iconic players such as Billie Jean King. Collectible thefts have also occurred, including a case this month in La Puente, California, where a store lost its inventory to burglars.

Counterfeit goods are a major issue in the U.S., with a 2020 Library of Congress report estimating they surpass the value of the illicit drug trade. Most counterfeit items, approximately 80%, originate from China. CBP officials continue to monitor for fake collectibles and other illegal imports. Brian Humphrey, CBP’s Seattle operations director, praised officers for their work and jokingly noted the agency is still on the lookout for a rumored 24-karat gold Labubu.