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Why Lulu the Piggy is Everywhere in 2026
If you have spent more than five minutes on social media lately, you have probably seen a tiny, chubby pink pig looking back at you. Lulu the Piggy, created by Toyzeroplus, has evolved from a niche designer toy into a full-blown global obsession. Whether it is the classic blind box series or the new 2026 limited-edition drops, these little guys are selling out faster than concert tickets at Spark Arena.
For those of us in New Zealand, the hype is real, but the availability is... well, not so real. While our friends in the US get easy access to major retailers and exclusive Toyzeroplus pop-ups, we are often left scrolling through "Does not ship to New Zealand" messages. But don't worry, there is a lazy way to fix this that involves zero paperwork and maximum piggies.
The Struggle of Shopping US Stores from NZ
The problem is simple: the coolest Lulu the Piggy variants often drop on US-specific sites or platforms like eBay and Amazon US first. Usually, a Kiwi collector has two choices: pay a 300% markup to a local reseller or give up.
Actually, there is a third option. You can use an international shipping service to bridge the gap. Instead of begging a store to ship to Auckland or Christchurch, you just ship it to a local US address first. It’s the standard move for any serious collector in 2026.
The 'Set and Forget' Freight Forwarding Method
If you want the least amount of work possible, you need a reliable freight forwarder. This is basically like having a friend in the US who receives your packages and sends them over to you, except this friend is a professional warehouse that doesn't lose your mail.
When you sign up for comGateway, you get a tax-free US address. This is huge because many US states charge a sales tax (usually 7-10%) on top of the price. By using a tax-free address in Oregon, you’re already saving money before the pig even leaves the warehouse. You just enter that address at checkout on your favorite US toy site, and you’re halfway there.
Proxy Shopping: When Your Card Just Won't Work
Sometimes, US stores are picky. They see a New Zealand credit card and immediately cancel the order. It is frustrating, but you don't need to call your bank or give up on that limited-edition Lulu.
You can use a proxy shopping service, often called "Buy For Me." You simply tell the experts what you want, and they buy it on your behalf using a US payment method. It is the ultimate lazy hack—you don't even have to fill out the checkout form yourself. Check out how comGateway handles this if you find yourself stuck at the payment screen.
The Kiwi Guide to Import Tax and Shipping Fees
Before you go on a Lulu shopping spree, let's talk about the boring stuff: money. You don't want to be surprised by extra costs when your package hits the border. In New Zealand, the rules for import tax and GST changed a few years back. Generally, for items under $1,000 NZD, GST is often collected at the point of sale or by the forwarder, but it’s always good to stay updated on current customs regulations.
To avoid any nasty surprises, I always recommend using a shipping calculator. You can put in the weight of a few blind boxes and see exactly what the international shipping rates will look like. Usually, shipping a single small box is pricey, but if you "consolidate" (put 5 or 6 Lulus into one bigger box), the cost per item drops significantly.
Wait, Can I Actually Ship These?
Good news: Vinyl toys like Lulu the Piggy are almost never on the prohibited items list. They aren't flammable, they aren't alive (despite how cute they look), and they don't contain batteries. However, if you are buying a special electronic Lulu lamp or something with a lithium battery, you might want to double-check the rules for international shipping of electronics. For standard vinyl figures, you are 100% in the clear.
So, if you're ready to start your 2026 collection, grab your US address, find your favorite Lulu series, and let the us package forwarding service do the heavy lifting. Your shelf will be full of pink piggies in no time!
