SINGAPORE: The obsession with Labubu dolls is showing no signs of slowing down

with fervor spreading through Singapore and across Asia, reaching even the United States where fans are lining up at Pop-Mart stores in the dead of night to secure these coveted collectibles.

High Penalty for Undeclared Goods

Recently, a woman returning from a business trip to London faced a hefty penalty due to her failure to declare her valuable items, which included several Labubu dolls. On November 15, Singapore Customs announced that the woman was fined thousands of dollars after an inspection revealed not only the popular dolls but also high-end fashion items such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Dior amongst her unreported goods.

She was informed of her violation concerning the Goods and Services Tax (GST) relief limits but mistakenly thought that only personal items required declaration.

Ultimately, she faced a staggering maximum composition fine of S$5,000 along with a recovery of S$3,963.69 in GST for her undeclared items. This hefty price tag illustrates the serious consequences of not following the regulations regarding customs declarations in Singapore, particularly concerning valuable goods.

Investigation into Suspicious Activity

In a separate incident, police are currently investigating three boys who were filmed suspiciously manipulating a claw machine in Yishun on November 18. The manipulation led to the disappearance of five Labubu dolls, valued collectively at around S$300. CCTV footage captured the boys as they tilted the machine, with one brazenly reaching inside to extract the dolls.

Derrick He, the owner of Little Pets Kingdom where the claw machine was located, confirmed that the machine originally contained 11 Labubu dolls from the "The Monsters Tasty Macarons Series."

Growing Theft Incidents

The rising popularity of Labubu dolls has even seen them become a target for theft. Just last month, a teenage girl reported that a Labubu doll attached to her keychain mysteriously vanished while she was shopping, leaving only the hook behind. This increasing phenomenon underscores the dolls' status as hot merchandise, particularly after K-pop star Lisa from Blackpink was spotted with the plush charms, driving demand to such heights that fans often find them sold out upon release at Pop Mart.

Conclusion

As the Labubu fever continues to grip Singapore and beyond, fans and collectors alike are left wondering just how far this trend will go, and what other wild stories might emerge in the quest to secure these whimsical treasures!