Irkutsk customs officials have seized a large shipment of undeclared “Labubu” toys from China. A Russian citizen transporting the goods from Beijing failed to declare them, leading to their detention.

The individual was stopped in the “green” corridor while carrying boxes weighing 46 kilograms. Inspectors discovered 282 packages of the popular monster keychain toys during a luggage inspection. The passenger confessed to purchasing the toys in China with the intention of reselling them in Russia.

The shipment has been classified as commercial, and the toys have been confiscated for valuation. A case has been initiated under the article addressing “Failure to declare goods.” The man could face a fine ranging from half to twice the value of the goods, potentially including their confiscation.

The Labubu character, an elf-like creature with sharp teeth and large ears, was created by Hong Kong designer Kasing Lung for his book, “The Monsters,” a decade ago. In 2019, the Chinese company Pop Mart began producing Labubu keychain toys, sold in mystery boxes.

Labubu keychains gained widespread popularity online in the spring of 2025. Celebrities like Lisa from Blackpink, Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Kim Kardashian have been seen with the toys, boosting their appeal. The toys have become increasingly popular in Russia as well.

These toys are available on domestic marketplaces for approximately 800-1000 rubles.