How to Spot a Fake Jellycat (+ Where to Buy Real Ones)

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Toy collector Tanya Schifone shares tips for authenticating your Jellycat

Co-authored by Tanya Schifone and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: July 9, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Fake Jellycat Signs
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• What to Do with a Fake
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• Buying a Real Jellycat
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• Why You Shouldn’t Buy Fakes
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• Video
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• Tips

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Nothing is more disappointing than paying for what you think is a premium Jellycat animal plush from the UK, only to discover that it's actually a fake! Unfortunately, because Jellycat plushes are so popular, there will always be companies that try to use similar toys and the brand name to scam people out of their money. The good news is we partnered with a toy collector to help you spot fake Jellycats and stop the counterfeiting cycle! Keep reading to learn the signs that a Jellycat is fake, plus what to do if you find yourself the owner of a counterfeit Jellycat. We'll also explain how to buy genuine Jellycat toys, and more!

Real vs Fake Jellycat (At a Glance)

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Toy collector Tanya Schifone says to check for these signs that a Jellycat is fake:

• Colors: The colors of fake Jellycats are often a little ‘off,’ or the details may be wrong.
• Proportions: Fake Jellycats’ proportions are often off, especially around their limbs.
• Fabric: Check that the fur is soft and high-quality. Fake Jellycats may shed and feel ‘cheap.’
• Tags: Fake Jellycats may be missing the fabric tag or it may be incorrectly printed
• Stuffing: Fake Jellycats often have lightweight cotton stuffing.
• Price: If the price is significantly below retail, it’s probably fake.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

How to Tell If a Jellycat Is Fake

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   Blurred, misspelled, or missing words on the paper tag According to this Reddit post in r/Jellycatplush, real Jellycat plushes come attached with a crisp, rectangular paper tag with a triangle on top. The tag features the brand's logo on the front and details about the plush on the back. A fake Jellycat might have a paper tag, but instead of a rectangle, it might be a circle, an oval, or a square. The font might be completely different or look blurry and misaligned. The plush details, including the name of the Jellycat and its product code, could be wrong. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what a real Jellycat paper tag should look like:

   • Front: The design on the front of most paper Jellycat tags is an illustration of a black and white cat's head. The cat is wearing a mound of yellow jelly on its head with lines next to it to create the illusion that it's jiggling. Underneath the cat are the words "Jellycat" and "London" in flat font.
     • This TikTok video by @cherriebaby shows 2 other varieties of the Jellycat label. One shows the cat wearing a pineapple for the Amuseables line. The other shows the cat wearing an orange baseball cap for the Amuseables Sports plushes.
   • Back: The back of the tag should read "My name is" followed by the official name of the plush. Underneath the name are the words, "Please take care of me." Newer Jellycat tags will also list the toy's product code, the brand's tagline ("For the joy of it"), and the URL to the official Jellycat website. At the very bottom of the tag is the barcode.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Tanya Schifone is a toy collector based in Boston, MA. She started with Funko Pops, but her collection has expanded to include toys like Jellycat, LOL Dolls, Mattel Creations, Labubu, and Legos.
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   Incorrectly printed or missing fabric tags Every genuine Jellycat has several fabric tags sewn into its body. These tags contain information like copyright details, care instructions, age recommendations, safety standard marks (i.e., CE UKCA), a product code, and a batch code. If any of these details are missing, the Reddit post above says that the Jellycat is likely a fake. Additionally, if the font on the tags is faded, blurry, or misaligned, those are also red flags.

   • “In the past, you could tell a Jellycat was fake by the tags,” cautions Schifone, “but fraudsters are getting pretty good at hiding them. Many fake Jellycats [have] fabric tags to make them look realistic.”
   • But Schifone notes that the details on the tags are often inaccurate. “For example, my fake Jellycat has cotton stuffing, but the tag says ‘plastic pellets,’ [and] my Amuseables Peanut Apres Ski’s tag says ‘Amuseables Peanut Cat Outfit,’” she shares.
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   Inaccurate proportions Schifone says that on a real Jellycat, “everything from the eyes to the mouth to the lips are thoughtfully calculated and realistic. But “fake Jellycats are not proportionate,” she adds. “You will often notice this in the eyes, mouth, or location of the limbs—where the boots or hands start and stop.”

   • “Jellycat are made with care, while fake Jellycats are carelessly mass-produced,” Schifone continues.
   • For example, in this YouTube video by Ticcing Together, you can tell that the creator's fake Timmy Turtle's head is more elongated and less plush than her authentic Timmy Turtle.
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   Wrong plush size Another way to tell whether a Jellycat is fake is to compare its size to the sizes that the plush is available in online, says the author of the aforementioned Reddit subthread. If, for example, you bought a Jellycat in a size Huge, but the largest size for that plush on the Jellycat website is a Medium, then yours is likely fake.
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   Coarse, messy fur Sometimes you can tell when a Jellycat is fake just by feeling and handling it. “Genuine Jellycat are high-quality, ultra-soft, and velvety,” says Schifone. “Fake Jellycat will often shed and come apart, and have a ‘cheap’ feel.”

   • This YouTube Short by @Zos.beauty points out that the fur might also look fluffy and messy, to the point that it obscures small details like the eyes.
   • Keep in mind that a used Jellycat can also feel rough because it's been loved and played with. If you bought your Jellycat secondhand and its texture feels off, look for other signs to verify that it's fake. If you can't find any, it might be authentic!
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   Stuffing Schifone says, “Genuine Jellycat have a little weight to them—you can almost feel beads inside. Fake Jellycats will be very light and [are] often stuffed with a thin cotton material.”
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   Poor stitching quality The stitching on an authentic Jellycat is strong and will usually hold up under years of love. But a fake Jellycat tends to have weak, thin stitches and may only last a few weeks or months before splitting a seam.
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   Unofficial or retired fur colors You can only buy brand-new Jellycats in official, brand-approved colors, says the Reddit guide to Jellycat authenticity. On the other hand, “Fake Jellycats are always a different shade or color,” says Schifone. “Sometimes you will notice the shades are off—for example, a teal may be more of a blue.

   • “My fake Apres Ski Peanut has a white headband instead of a blue headband,” Schifone says, “and his hair is a dark teal instead of an ombre teal to white.”
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   Incorrect product code The product code for your Jellycat plush is printed in 2 places: on the back of the paper tag, and on a short fabric tag at the bottom of the toy. Look up this code on the official Jellycat website. Reddit user @JellycatplushMods says to look up the product code that comes up with your Jellycat on the main website, and make sure the plush's size, color, and name match yours.

   • If the product code yields the wrong results or no plushes whatsoever, your Jellycat is likely fake!
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    Significantly low price Jellycat plushes are expensive, so it's understandable if you want to save money on them. Unfortunately, if the discount sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Jellycat plushes are pricey because of their high quality. So if you're paying less than $20 for a Jellycat that normally costs $50, you're probably not purchasing a genuine one.

    • Schifone cautions, “This is usually a clear giveaway, but fraudsters are starting to catch on and increase their prices, so it isn’t always the most reliable.” She adds that in the past, fake Jellycat plushes were always significantly cheaper than retail.
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    Unauthorized sellers If you bought your Jellycat from Temu or Shein, it's almost certainly fake. Jellycat only partners with stores that have brick-and-mortar locations. So any online-only retailers that claim to be selling real Jellycats are lying. Always use Jellycat's Stockist Locator to find a genuine, authorized Jellycat seller near you.

    • Note: If you bought your Jellycat from a reseller on eBay or Facebook, it might be real. Look at the photos carefully before buying to verify the plush's authenticity.
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Section 2 of 4:

What to Do If Your Jellycat Is Fake

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   Try to return it and get a refund. If possible, contact the company or individual you bought the fake Jellycat from. Let them know that you found out that the "Jellycat" they sold you is a counterfeit, and calmly ask them for a return shipping label and a refund. Keep in mind that you may not get a refund or even a reply, especially if the seller is fully aware that they sold you a fake Jellycat.

   • Schifone suggests inspecting your Jellycat as soon as it arrives. “Many fraudsters are using real images on their listings and then shipping fake Jellycats.”
   • If you bought the fake Jellycat from an individual, it's possible that they don't know it's fake! In that case, they should be happy to refund you.
   • If the seller doesn't respond, send a message explaining your situation to the customer service team of the marketplace where the fake Jellycat was listed. Some online marketplaces, like eBay, cover refunds if your item arrives and is significantly different from how it was described in the listing.
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   Leave a negative review for the seller. If the seller doesn't respond to your refund request within 48 hours, write a negative review and publish it on their Google business page, their website, and/or their seller page. Explain to other potential customers how you discovered that the Jellycat you bought was fake, and how the seller has refused to resolve the issue. Be calm and clear, and avoid using curse words or personal insults.

   • Use your review as an opportunity to warn others away from the scam, not to be verbally abusive.
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   Report the seller to Jellycat and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If you ever come across counterfeit Jellycat plushes, whether or not you buy them, Jellycat requests that you email them about it at protectjellycat@jellycat.com. You can also report the fake Jellycats as fraudulent goods at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Section 3 of 4:

Pro Tips for Buying a Real Jellycat

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   Buy a Jellycat from the official Jellycat website or authorized Stockists only. Genuine, brand-new Jellycat plushes are sold only on jellycat.com or at select, brand-approved stores. Find a reputable, fully authorized Jellycat seller near your location using the brand's Stockist Locator.

   • “Buying from Jellycat, or an authorized Jellycat retailer, is always the best way to ensure you are purchasing an authentic Jellycat,” agrees Schifone.
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   Compare the listing photos to a real Jellycat when buying secondhand. It's possible to buy a real Jellycat plush secondhand, but take your time verifying its authenticity. When you find a Jellycat you're interested in, examine it carefully. Look for the paper and fabric tags and compare the plush to stock photos from jellycat.com. Schifone shares these tips for buying second-hand on marketplaces like Mercari, eBay, and Poshmark:

   • Location of the seller: “If the seller is outside of the US, proceed with caution. Most of these listings are not for authentic Jellycat,” advises Schifone.
   • Price: Schifone says, “If the price sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”
   • Photos: “Purchase from a seller that has real photos of the item they are selling, [not] stock photos,” says Schifone. “If you still aren’t sure, ask the seller to upload photos with a piece of paper showing their name and the date.”
   • Assortment: “Look at the seller’s profile and go through items they have for sale and have sold,” suggests Schifone. “If they’ve sold 25 units of a retired or hard-to-find items, that’s usually a clear sign it’s fake. If they only have one listing, that’s usually a clear sign that it’s fake."
   • Reviews: “If [the seller has] no profile reviews, or bad reviews, that is usually a sign that it’s fake,” Schifone advises.
   • Unreleased colors: Schifone says, “If the seller is selling an ‘’unreleased color’ or ‘limited edition size,’ that is usually a sign it’s fake. If Jellycat does not have it listed as an official color or size, then it is fake.”
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   Buy a knockoff if a real Jellycat is outside of your budget. A knockoff Jellycat is different from a counterfeit. It's a plush that looks somewhat like a Jellycat, but isn't an exact copy. The brand that makes it is not pretending to be Jellycat, nor are they marketing their products as the real thing. Knockoffs tend to be a lot cheaper than name-brand items, though they're not usually as nice or long-lasting. But they're still better than counterfeits!
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Section 4 of 4:

Why You Shouldn't Buy a Fake Jellycat

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   Counterfeiters who sell fake Jellycats make a profit by scamming people. Jellycat counterfeiters make money by convincing consumers that they're buying a genuine Jellycat. It's easy to do, especially since Jellycat tends to change its tag design, so collectors never know if a new plush is fake or just has a new logo. Scammers who make and sell fake Jellycats are dishonest, and buying their goods enables them to continue their scheme.
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   Fake Jellycats are of a much lower quality than the real plushes. The factories that make fake Jellycats use cheap, flimsy materials and loose stitching, which can cause the toy to fall apart quickly. They also tend not to follow Jellycat's high safety standards, meaning they might not be safe for your child to handle. Meanwhile, a real Jellycat is made with soft, premium fabrics, filling, and thread. It's designed to hold up for years, whereas a fake Jellycat might need to be replaced within a few months. If you're looking for quality and durability, you're better off buying a genuine Jellycat.

   • Additionally, the factories that counterfeiters use typically pay dirt-cheap wages and have poor working conditions. Buying from them on purpose empowers them to continue these hostile practices.
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• “Like with any collectible, fake Jellycats are very common,” says Schifone. “Most individuals or companies that create fake products will go over products that are highly sought-after.”
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