The New York Times testing found that clothing on some Labubu dolls contains cotton from Xinjiang, China. U.S. law bans Xinjiang cotton due to forced labor concerns. The discovery tests whether viral collectible toys face the same supply chain restrictions that apply to major manufacturers.
Labubi dolls became a global craze, with collectors paying hundreds for rare figurines. The dolls sell through Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company that went public in 2020. Pop Mart did not immediately respond to requests about the cotton sourcing.
The Xinjiang cotton ban, enacted in 2021, blocks imports of materials produced in the region unless companies prove they avoided forced labor. The rule applies broadly to clothing, textiles, and finished goods. Companies including Nike and Adidas reformatted supply chains to comply.
The test results raise questions about enforcement. Labubi dolls sell worldwide through retail stores and online platforms that also carry major brands. If the dolls violate the ban, it suggests enforcement gaps exist in smaller, trendy products that capture younger consumers.
Pop Mart sells Labubi through retailers in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. The company faces pressure to audit its supply chain or risk import blocks. The case demonstrates how forced labor rules increasingly affect niche consumer goods beyond traditional apparel.