Essential steps I used to import Soft Services exfoliants with a freight forwarder

Why the Buffing Bar is trending for strawberry skin

I have spent years looking for a solution for keratosis pilaris, commonly known as 'strawberry skin.' Recently, my social feeds have been dominated by the Soft Services 'Buffing Bar.' This micro-exfoliating 3-pack has gained massive traction in Japan and the US because it uses a physical grit that is much more effective than standard body scrubs. We have seen it become a staple for those who want smooth skin without the irritation of liquid acids.

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The problem I faced, and many others in Australia face, is that Soft Services currently only ships within the United States. They do not have a retail presence in Japan or Australia as of April 2026. To get these bars to Sydney, I had to use a freight forwarder to bridge the gap.

The challenge of US-exclusive brands

I find it frustrating when a high-performing brand limits its reach. Soft Services is a prime example of a US-exclusive brand that creates a barrier for international customers. When I tried to order directly, I realized I needed a tax-free US address to even proceed to the checkout. By using comGateway, I was able to get a dedicated address in a tax-free state, which saved me from paying US sales tax before the item even left the country.

My shipping weight and dimensions estimates

Before you shop US store sites, you need to know what the final costs will look like. I used the shipping calculator to prepare my budget. Based on my experience with the Buffing Bar (Micro-Exfoliating 3-Pack), here are the logistics details I used for my calculations:

I suggest you estimate shipping cost early so you aren't surprised by the total. Because the bars are small, I recommend consolidating them with other skincare items to make the most of your international shipping fees.

Overcoming checkout blocks with proxy shopping

I encountered a common hurdle when trying to pay: some US retailers block international credit cards or flag orders sent to known forwarding addresses. If you find your order is constantly cancelled, I recommend using the BuyForMe service.

We use this proxy shopping feature when a store refuses to accept an Australian card. Through this assisted purchase method, comGateway uses a US-based payment method to buy the item for you. It is the most reliable way to ensure your Soft Services order actually gets processed without being flagged by their fraud prevention systems.

Handling Australian import tax and GST

When I ship items to Australia, I always keep an eye on the 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST). For most imports under AU $1,000, the process is straightforward, but it is essential to understand how import tax is applied to your total. I checked the latest updates on GST/VAT to ensure I wasn't hit with unexpected fees at the border. If your total shipment exceeds the threshold, you might be responsible for additional import duties and customs processing fees. I always factor this into my total landed cost.

My international shipping workflow

If you are new to this, my package forwarding process is quite simple. I followed this step-by-step guide to get my items from the US to my doorstep:

• I signed up for a comGateway account to get my US address.
• I placed my order at Soft Services using that address.
• Once the bars arrived at the warehouse, I chose DHL international shipping for speed, though FedEx international shipping was also an option.
• I tracked the package through the dashboard until it cleared customs in Australia.

My experience shows that even though a product is 'exclusive' to one country, a reliable freight forwarder makes it accessible. If you follow this workflow, you can get the same high-demand products that are currently trending in Japan and the US without waiting for a local release that may never happen.