How to check toys and collectibles

Why toy fakes matter

Popular designer figures and collectibles are copied quickly, and fake toys are not only a collecting problem. They skip the safety testing genuine toys go through, so paint, small parts and materials may not be safe for children.

Packaging and labels

• Printing on the box is sharp, with the right colours and no spelling mistakes
• The brand logo, licence details and the manufacturer's name and address are present
• Age warnings are printed, such as a small-parts warning on toys with small pieces
• Safety marks for the market where it is sold are shown, for example CE in the EU or UKCA in the UK
• Toys for children sold in the US carry tracking information, such as a batch or date code
• Security stickers or codes, where the brand uses them, open the brand's own website and not a lookalike address

The toy itself

• Paint lines are clean, with no smudges, overspray or missing details
• Mould lines are fine, without sharp leftover plastic along the edges
• Colours match official photos of that exact edition
• Proportions and facial details match the genuine figure
• Fabric, fur and stitching on plush figures are even and well finished
• There is no strong chemical smell

Designer figures and blind boxes

Plush designer figures such as Pop Mart's Labubu became so popular that fakes earned their own nickname. Details collectors check include the face, the feet and the box.

• The face: genuine Labubu figures have nine teeth, and the eyes and mouth are printed cleanly and symmetrically
• The feet and tags: logos and printed details on the soles and tags are sharp and correctly placed
• The box: official boxes have crisp printing and security features from the brand
• The price: a rare or sold-out figure offered cheaply, or in bulk, is a strong warning sign

Building bricks and trading cards

• Genuine LEGO bricks carry the LEGO logo on their studs, and pieces click together firmly with even colours
• Trading cards should have crisp print, the right card thickness and finish, and fonts that match genuine cards of the same set
• Under a loupe, genuine printed cards show a fine, regular dot pattern; fakes are often blurry or too smooth
• Holographic foils should match the pattern used in that set

Photos to take for a check

1. 1The front of the toy, with the face in focus
2. 2The side and the back
3. 3Tags, feet or base markings, close up
4. 4The box, front and back, including any codes and safety marks