UK Authorities Seize Hundreds of Thousands of Counterfeit Toys in 2025 Crackdown
In 2025, the UK Home Office and Border Force seized roughly 260,000 counterfeit toys at the border, with counterfeit Labubu toys constituting about 90% of these seizures. Approximately 240,000 fake Labubu toys were intercepted, and authorities found that around 75% of these copies failed to meet safety standards.
Other seized counterfeit products included Jellycats, PlayStation controllers, Disney merchandise, and Pokémon figurines. Many of these items were destroyed due to containing banned chemicals, posing choking hazards, or having unsafe wiring.
Police and Trading Standards have conducted raids targeting shops and warehouses selling counterfeit goods, resulting in arrests linked to modern slavery in some cases.
Consumers are being warned to be cautious of deals that appear too good to be true and to verify the credibility of unfamiliar sellers. Authorities advise that if a product or seller feels suspicious, it is best not to proceed with a purchase.
While buying counterfeit items is not illegal, selling such goods can lead to severe penalties including up to 10 years in prison and unlimited fines. This crackdown aims to protect children from unsafe products and safeguard legitimate businesses from unfair competition.
