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Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Chinese customs seize over 40,000 fake Labubu toys
The counterfeit products uncovered in Guangdong province included blind-box toys and plush figures. PHOTO: WECHAT/CHINA CUSTOMS In Guangdong province, 20,599 suspected counterfeit products were uncovered during three separate inspections. PHOTO: WECHAT/CHINA CUSTOMS BEIJING - Chinese customs authorities have recently intercepted over 40,000 counterfeit Labubu, a top seller in Pop Mart products, which has seen growing global demand. The Gongbei Customs in Guangdong province uncovered 20,599 suspected counterfeit products on June 12, including blind-box toys and plush figures, during three separate inspections of outbound transshipment trucks at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Customs checkpoint, according to the General Administration of Customs on J une 18 . Many of the items closely resembled characters from Pop Mart's popular Labubu series, but most lacked proper trademark labels. Following confirmation from the intellectual property rights holder, the seized goods were deemed to have unauthorised use of the company's trademark and copyrighted character designs, violating its legal protections. The holder has formally applied for customs protection, and the cases are currently under further legal process, it said. This is not the only case, considering the growing demand of this 'cute-ugly' toy across the world. In June, some domestic customs reported multiple cases of intercepting the counterfeit Labubu toys. In Zhejiang's Ningbo, the Beilun Customs officers confiscated 20,240 plush toys and plastic cups that were found to infringe on the Labubu Spring Elf series. In another case, officers at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport seized 5,961 toys falsely declared as 'dinosaur toy' or 'plush toys', all bearing Pop Mart's trademark without authorisation. Customs authorities have reminded exporters and their agents that, under China's Customs Law, all goods must be truthfully declared, including their intellectual property status. Documentation proving legal use of trademarks or copyrighted designs must be submitted when required. Infringing goods are subject to confiscation and fines. In severe cases, criminal charges may be pursued in accordance with the law, the authorities added. CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ong Ye Kung, Chee Hong Tat don't know Fujian gang member Su Haijin personally: Statement
Su Haijin was one of the 10 people accused in a billion-dollar money laundering case in 2024. PHOTO: WECHAT SINGAPORE - Ministers Ong Ye Kung and Chee Hong Tat do not know Su Haijin personally, and do not have any contacts with him. In a joint press statement by both ministers' press secretaries on May 6, it was stated that there were pictures circulating that both ministers were pictured at dinners where Fujian gang member Su was also present. The statement said: 'As Ministers, they meet a diverse range of people at various events and gatherings. They attended the dinners at the invitation of a friend, and Su happened to be there. Minister Ong recalls that months later, at another dinner, Su happened to be there too.' The ministers' press secretaries added that the ministers do not know Su personally, and 'have had no contact or dealings with him, before or since these occasions'. Su has since been arrested for his illegal activities, and had his assets confiscated. He was one of the 10 people accused in a billion-dollar money laundering case, and was slapped with an additional charge of money laundering in November 2024. The PAP Government upholds a high standard of integrity, the statement read, and the Ministers are determined to uphold this, even though in the course of their work, they may inadvertently come into contact with people who are later established to be unsavoury. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
