First, the point that matters most: a Chinese brick brand is not a fake LEGO.
Three categories exist and must be kept apart:
- Genuine LEGO — Traits：LEGO trademark, official set numbers, official channels；Status：Genuine
- Legal compatible brands — Traits：Own trademark (QIJI, SEMBO, PANLOS), own designs；Status：Legal competitor
- Counterfeits — Traits：LEGO trademark or packaging copied, designs duplicated；Status：Infringing product
You are screening for the third category — not treating every Chinese brand as counterfeit.
Six verifiable checks
1. Stud stamps. Genuine LEGO studs carry a crisp, centred "LEGO" stamp. Counterfeits show no stamp, blurry lettering, inverted lettering, or stamps on only some parts.
2. Packaging print quality. Genuine printing is sharp with clean logo edges and scannable barcodes. Counterfeits show blurred print, colour shift, barcodes that do not scan, or set numbers missing from official databases.
3. Set number lookup. Search the set number on official channels: a genuine set always resolves, with matching images. Counterfeits often resolve to different images, or not at all.
4. Tolerance feel. Genuine parts feel consistent; variation within a batch is small. Counterfeits are tight in one section and loose in another, and stress-whiten after a few cycles.
5. Colour consistency. Genuine "dark grey" varies very little between batches. Counterfeits can show visible differences between bags inside a single set.
6. Instruction quality. Genuine booklets have clear exploded steps, complete parts lists with quantities, and mirror notes. Counterfeits skip steps and list parts that do not match the build.
Two hard signals: price and channel
- Significantly below official pricing with no explanation (clearance, used, damaged) → high risk
- No invoice or after-sales support — especially "factory direct" and "overstock" listings → high risk
These two beat any photo-based inspection. Authenticity is ultimately a channel question.
When buying a Chinese brand
What to check is not "is this fake LEGO" but:
- Does it carry its own trademark?
- Does it claim LEGO authorisation it does not have? (that is the problem case)
- Are the instructions complete? (top Chinese brands usually are)
- Is there a missing-part process?
If you receive a counterfeit
Keep the receipt and packaging photos, report it through the marketplace's counterfeit channel, and do not keep using modified parts — plastic safety in counterfeits is unknown.
FAQ
Are Chinese bricks fake? No. Compatible brands with their own trademark and designs are legal competitors. Infringement means copying LEGO's trademark or protected designs.
Is a missing stud stamp proof of a fake? Generally yes for standard parts, but very small or special parts may legitimately lack one — weigh it with other evidence.
How do I verify used LEGO? Check stud stamps, colour consistency and instruction completeness; in bulk lots, look for obviously non-LEGO parts mixed in.
Search a set number directly on the site to find official instructions — the blueprint library covers many QIJI and LEGO sets.