Is buying Summer Fridays from the US cheaper than Shopee? My 2026 price breakdown

February 08, 2026

Why I am obsessed with the Birthday Cake edition

I finally got my hands on it. The Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Birthday Cake has been haunting my social media feed for months. It started as a US-exclusive limited edition, and while the brand is available globally, this specific flavor is incredibly hard to find in Malaysia. I love the subtle shimmer and that nostalgic vanilla scent that isn't too overpowering. After seeing it sell out repeatedly on the US Sephora site, I knew I had to find a way to get it without waiting for a local launch that might never happen.

Is buying Summer Fridays from the US cheaper than Shopee? My 2026 price breakdown
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The price gap: US vs. Malaysia resellers

I did some digging into the local market first. On platforms like Shopee or through Instagram personal shoppers, I saw the Birthday Cake edition listed for anywhere between RM180 and RM250. When you consider that the retail price in the US is only $24 (about RM105-RM110), the markup is staggering. Even with shipping costs, I suspected I could do better by buying directly from the source. My goal was to see if I could save enough to maybe justify buying two tubes instead of one.

My experience using a freight forwarder

Since Summer Fridays and US Sephora don't ship directly to Kuala Lumpur, I had to get creative. I signed up for a tax-free us address through comGateway. This was a smart move because it allowed me to avoid the 7-10% US sales tax that usually gets added at checkout if you ship to a standard US address. Once my order arrived at the warehouse, I used their international shipping service to get it to my doorstep. I found that having a reliable freight forwarder makes the process much less stressful than hoping a random reseller actually has the stock they claim to have.

Shipping Estimates for the Lip Butter Balm

To help you figure out your own budget, I’ve put together some estimates based on my recent shipment. Even though the product is small, the way it is packed matters.

Factor Estimate
Box Weight Approx. 0.25 kg (0.5 lbs) including the mailer box.
Box Dimensions Small (typically a padded envelope or a 15x10x5 cm box).
Volumetric Warning This item is very light. While volumetric weight usually applies to bulky items, always ensure your items aren't over-packed in a box much larger than the balm itself.
Battery Check This item does NOT contain lithium batteries. No special handling fees apply.

I highly recommend using the shipping calculator before you buy. It helped me realize that shipping a single tube might be expensive, but if I added a few more items to my cart, the international shipping rates per item dropped significantly.

Dealing with Malaysia's import duties in 2026

One thing I always keep an eye on is the current tax situation. In 2026, Malaysia still maintains specific thresholds for import duties. Generally, if your total shipment value (including shipping) stays below RM500, you can often avoid heavy customs taxes. However, since rules can change, I always check the FAQ or the support section on the comGateway site to stay updated. For more details on how these fees are calculated, you can check our guide on import duties.

Is the hassle worth it?

After calculating everything—the cost of the balm, the small shipping fee, and the zero US sales tax—I ended up spending about RM155 in total. Compared to the RM220 I almost paid a reseller, I saved RM65. Plus, I have the peace of mind knowing my Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is 100% authentic. If you are a beauty lover in Malaysia, using a parcel forwarding service to shop us store directly is definitely the way to go for these exclusive drops. I am already planning my next haul for the holiday season!

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