Investigation Detects Banned Xinjiang Cotton in Labubu Dolls

Background on Xinjiang and U.S.

Law U.S. lawmakers, journalists, and human rights organizations have accused the Chinese government of forced labor, forced sterilization, surveillance, torture, and persecution of Uyghurs, a mostly Muslim minority group, in Xinjiang. The Secretary of State, who spearheaded the bill as a senator, stated that it addressed a 'genocide against the Uyghur people' and other Muslim groups by the Chinese Communist Party.

Several nonprofits have submitted information about the banned cotton to customs authorities. A White House spokesman told the New York Post that the administration continues to monitor for violations of U.S. law by importers and has initiated a Section 301 investigation into forced-labor goods.

He did not comment on the specific Labubu allegations. U.S. Customs and Border Protection declined to comment.

Pop Mart, the Chinese retailer behind Labubu dolls, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the New York Post. A spokeswoman for Pop Mart told the New York Times that the company would investigate the presence of Xinjiang cotton, noting that only a small percentage of its dolls use cotton and it plans to switch to alternative materials for the U.S. market.

A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington told the New York Times that the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act is 'one of the most notorious and egregious laws in the 21st century' and a tool to destabilize Xinjiang. The dolls, created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung in collaboration with Pop Mart, typically cost $20 to $40 and are sold in blind boxes, contributing to their popularity.

dolls have seen significant demand, with customers waiting in long lines earlier this year and resales reaching up to $150,000 at a Beijing auction. Pop Mart's revenue in the Americas rose more than 700% in the first half of 2025, surpassing that of Mattel and Sanrio in market value at the time.

Although the trend has slowed, Sony is planning a feature film starring the doll. The allegations could affect U.S.-China trade relations, as the administration plans a visit to Beijing next month. Pop Mart's largest market remains China, but the Americas represent a growing segment.