I finally got my hands on the Drop Dwarvish keycaps in Hong Kong and here is how I did it
Why the LOTR Dwarvish Keycaps are trending in 2026
As a huge fan of both mechanical keyboards and Tolkien’s legendarium, I’ve been eyeing the Drop + The Lord of the Rings MT3 Dwarvish Keycap Set for months. In early 2026, these are still considered some of the most detailed officially licensed sets available. The MT3 profile provides a deep, retro scoop that feels incredible to type on, and the legends are written in actual Khuzdul (using the Cirth script).
The problem I faced was that these are largely a US exclusive through Drop. Finding them in a local shop in Mong Kok or Sham Shui Po is almost impossible, and if you do find them, the markup is usually double the retail price. I decided to take matters into my own hands and buy them directly from the source using an international shipping service.
The myth about US-exclusive shipping to Hong Kong
A common misconception I hear among my hobbyist friends in Hong Kong is that buying from US-only stores like Drop is either too expensive or simply not possible. Many people assume that if a store doesn't offer direct shipping to HK, the item is out of reach. We found that this simply isn't true if you use a freight forwarder.
I set up my comGateway account to get a US-based address, which allowed me to access the same pricing and availability as a customer living in the States. By using a freight forwarder, I managed to get my Dwarvish set for the standard retail price rather than the inflated reseller prices we often see locally.
Estimating your shipping costs
If you are planning to grab a set for your own build, I want to help you figure out the logistics. Keyboard enthusiasts often worry about the weight of these sets, especially the larger "Training" or "Base" kits. Here is my breakdown based on the package I received:
| Metric | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Box Weight | Approx. 1.8 lbs (0.8 kg) for the base set. |
| Box Dimensions | Small/Medium (Typically 11 x 6 x 2 inches). |
| Volumetric Warning | Low risk. This item is dense and small, so volumetric weight won't be an issue. |
| Battery Check | No batteries. These are plastic keycaps, so no special shipping restrictions apply. |
I highly recommend using the shipping calculator to get a more precise quote based on current 2026 rates. It helped me decide whether to add extra accent kits to my order without blowing my budget.
How I bypassed credit card blocks with BuyForMe
One hurdle I encountered was that some US stores are notoriously picky about payment. While Drop is generally okay, many US retailers like Nike or Sephora often block international credit cards or cancel orders if they detect a shipping warehouse address. This is where I found the proxy shopping service to be a life-saver.
We used the "BuyForMe" service offered by comGateway. Essentially, I told them what I wanted, and they used a US domestic credit card to make the purchase on my behalf. This is the safest way to shop us store sites that might otherwise decline your order. It totally removed the stress of wondering if my order would be cancelled at the last minute.
The truth about import tax in Hong Kong
Another myth I want to correct is the fear of hidden costs. I’ve had people ask me about the import tax they might have to pay when the package arrives. Fortunately, one of the best parts about living in Hong Kong is that it remains a free port. For hobbyist items like mechanical keyboard parts, you generally do not have to worry about customs duties.
When you ship to Hong Kong, the price you see for shipping is usually the final price. I’ve ordered multiple sets now, and I’ve never been hit with a surprise bill at my door. This makes international shipping much more affordable than my friends in Europe or mainland China who have to deal with heavy VAT or duty fees.
If you have been waiting for the right time to finish that Lord of the Rings keyboard build, don't let the fear of US-exclusive labels stop you. It was much easier than I expected, and the quality of the MT3 Dwarvish legends is absolutely worth the effort.
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