Recent research indicates that some Love Bu dolls contain cotton sourced from Xinjiang, China—a region notorious for forced labor practices. This is particularly concerning since cotton imports from Xinjiang are prohibited in the United States.
These quirky stuffed animals have sparked a worldwide craze, reminiscent of the Cabbage Patch dolls. They’ve been spotted as fashion accessories on the arms of celebrities, including Rihanna and Kim Kardashian.
A study initiated by the Uyghur Campaign, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., revealed that 16 out of 20 Labbu dolls obtained by reporters had cotton from Xinjiang, primarily in their T-shirts.
There are serious allegations against the Chinese government concerning forced labor, sterilization, and the persecution of the Uyghur population in Xinjiang, as reported by various U.S. lawmakers and human rights organizations.
As part of the investigation, it was found that Love Buses sold on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and directly from Chinese retailer Pop Mart contained these illegal cotton products. The specific collections involved are Love’s “Fall in the Wild” and “Flip With Me.”
A White House spokesperson noted that the Trump Administration is closely monitoring violations of U.S. law by importers concerning forced labor, although there was no direct comment on the Love Bu situation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency tasked with enforcing the import ban on products linked to Xinjiang, declined to provide any comments on the matter.
The report also highlighted that various nonprofits had alerted customs regarding the imports of prohibited cotton.
Pop Mart has yet to reply to inquiries about these allegations. However, a spokesperson mentioned to a newspaper that they would look into the presence of Xinjiang cotton, asserting that only a small fraction of their dolls contain it. They plan to transition U.S.-bound products to alternative materials.
This situation could potentially complicate U.S.-China relations, particularly with President Trump set to visit Beijing soon.
A representative from the Chinese embassy in Washington criticized the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act as a significant overreach and a political maneuver aimed at destabilizing the region.
The popular Labbubu dolls, designed by artist Kasing Lung in collaboration with Pop Mart, retail for around $20 to $40.
Pop Mart’s strategy of packaging collectibles in “blind boxes” has fueled consumer demand, with buyers uncertain of which color doll they’ll get until they’ve made their purchase. Earlier this year, fans waited hours to score these dolls, with some reselling for thousands, including one that fetched an astonishing $150,000 in Beijing.
While China remains Pop Mart’s largest market, sales in the Americas have soared by over 700% in the first half of 2025, significantly outpacing Barbie and Hello Kitty in market capitalization.
Though the initial excitement may be waning, Pop Mart is on the lookout for its next big hit, as Sony prepares a feature film centered around its iconic doll.
