Is a freight forwarder really the only way I can get the new 2026 Rhode shades in Italy?

March 28, 2026

I honestly thought the hype around Hailey Bieber’s brand would have cooled down by now, but the 2026 shade expansion has proven me wrong. My TikTok feed has been nothing but swatches of the new "Amalfi Sunset" and "Espresso Martini" tints. These new formulas seem even more hydrating than the originals, and the pigment payoff is much more noticeable. It’s no wonder they are constantly topping the us trends list for beauty enthusiasts globally.

Is a freight forwarder really the only way I can get the new 2026 Rhode shades in Italy?
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The problem is that even in March 2026, Rhode still doesn't offer direct, reliable shipping for every new drop to Italy. Every time a new color drops, I see them sell out on the US site within minutes, leaving those of us in Europe waiting for a restock that might never come to local retailers. That is when I decided to take matters into my own hands and shop US store directly using a different method.

My struggle finding these in Italy

Living in Italy, I’ve often found that we are the last to get the newest releases. I checked all the usual suspects, but the 2026 shades were nowhere to be found. Even when they do appear on some third-party sites, the markup is ridiculous. I wanted to pay the actual US retail price, but Rhode's US checkout doesn't always accept international shipping addresses for these high-demand drops. This led me to explore using a freight forwarder to bridge the gap between New York and Rome.

How I used a tax-free US address to shop

I realized that if I wanted to be among the first to own these tints, I needed a tax-free US address. By using comGateway, I was able to get an address in a US state with no sales tax. This saved me a few extra dollars right at the start. I simply entered that address at the Rhode checkout, and my order went through without a hitch. If you are worried about the process, you can check out this step-by-step guide which explains exactly how the virtual address works.

When the store won't take your card

Sometimes, US stores are picky about non-US credit cards. In my case, Rhode accepted my Italian card, but if you ever run into a wall, you can use a proxy shopping service like "BuyForMe". They essentially buy the product on your behalf so you don't have to worry about regional payment restrictions.

Shipping Estimates and Package Details

To help you plan your budget, I’ve put together some estimates based on my own 2026 shipment of four lip tints. You can also use the shipping calculator for a more precise quote based on your specific city in Italy.

Metric Details
Box Weight Approx. 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs) for 3-5 tints including packaging.
Box Dimensions Small (Typically a padded mailer or a very small 6x6x4 inch box).
Volumetric Warning Low risk. These items are dense and small, so you won't be overcharged for "air" space.
Battery Check No lithium batteries. No special handling required for cosmetics.

My step-by-step guide to getting the tints delivered

After my package arrived at my US address, I received a notification to forward packages to my home. I had the option to choose between DHL international shipping and FedEx international shipping. I usually prefer DHL for Italy because they handle the local last-mile delivery quite efficiently in my experience.

I also recommend waiting until you have a few items to ship. Since the lip tints are so light, I actually bought a few other items from different popular products lists and consolidated them into one box. This significantly lowered my international shipping cost per item.

Managing import tax and duties in Italy

One thing we can't avoid in Italy is the import tax. When your package enters the EU, you will likely be charged VAT (IVA) and potentially a small administrative fee by the carrier. I always set aside about 22% of the item value to cover this. If you want to understand more about how these costs are calculated, you might also like to read our detailed breakdown on import duties.

Using a reliable freight forwarder makes this process much smoother because they often provide the digital paperwork needed for customs, reducing the chance of your Rhode tints getting stuck at the border. My package arrived at my door in Milan just eight days after it left the US warehouse, which I think is pretty impressive for 2026.

Is it a bit of extra effort? Yes. But when I’m wearing that perfect 2026 Rhode shade that no one else in the café has yet, it feels 100% worth it.

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