ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The wildly popular “ugly-cute” Labubu collectible doll has been officially banned in Erbil, with authorities citing consumer exploitation and cultural concerns as the primary reasons behind the move.
Hogir Ali, director of Erbil’s commercial monitoring body, told Rudaw on Tuesday that the ban was prompted by widespread scams of Kurdish citizens, as merchants were reportedly exploiting customers through "blind box" sales - where buyers must purchase multiple boxes at random in hopes of getting a desired color or style - placing what Ali described as an “unjust burden” on families.
“These sales tactics misled consumers,” Ali said, “especially when lower prices were advertised for dolls that were unavailable, pushing buyers toward more expensive options.”
Beyond commercial concerns, officials have also raised cultural objections. “The appearance of the doll is far from our customs and traditions,” Ali noted, adding that the Erbil provincial authorities and civil police are fully backing the ban.
So far, approximately 2,000 Labubu dolls have been confiscated, and legal action has been taken against six businesses as enforcement efforts intensify.
Created by Hong Kong-Belgian designer Kasing Lung and marketed by Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, Labubu is a mischievous-looking monster elf collectible that has captivated a global audience.
Typically sold in blind boxes, the doll’s scarcity has fueled a frenzy among collectors, driving up demand - and controversy.
Labubu’s rise to fame has not been without backlash. Online, some social media users have linked the dolls to the ancient Mesopotamian demon Pazuzu, fueling fear and concern - particularly among parents. These claims have contributed to public unease.
In real-world markets, Labubu has triggered crowd control issues and safety concerns.
Retailers in the United Kingdom and South Korea have temporarily halted in-store sales due to chaotic scenes during restocks.
Chinese customs have cracked down on the illegal smuggling of the dolls, and banks in China have been banned from using them as promotional gifts.
In Russia, lawmakers have proposed banning Labubu outright, citing its frightening appearance and the potential psychological impact on children.
In the Kurdistan Region, the initial call for a ban came from the trade ministry, which urged parents to stop purchasing the dolls. Erbil officials have also contacted border checkpoints to block further imports, noting that a large number of the dolls are believed to be in Baghdad.
