Is the Summer Fridays Iced Coffee balm really worth the hassle of shipping it to Italy?

Why I kept seeing this balm on my feed

I honestly couldn't open TikTok last week without seeing someone talking about the new Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Iced Coffee. It launched just four days ago, and the hype is already through the roof. We all know the original formula is great, but a limited edition flavor that smells like a morning latte? I knew I had to try it, even if it meant looking beyond our local shops here in Milan.

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More about shipping to Italy

The obsession makes sense. It’s that perfect neutral tint combined with a scent that isn't too overpowering. But since it’s a US Sephora and brand-site exclusive, we Italians are usually left out of the loop. I wasn't going to let that stop me this time, so I started looking into how I could get my hands on it without waiting months for a potential European release that might never happen in 2026.

The struggle of US exclusives in Italy

We’ve all been there. You see a product launch, you check the Italian Sephora site, and... nothing. This Iced Coffee edition is strictly for the US market right now. My first thought was to find a friend in New York, but that’s always a lot to ask. Instead, I started looking at how to shop US store options directly. I realized that using a freight forwarder was going to be my best bet to bridge the gap between a US warehouse and my front door.

How I managed to shop the US store

I went straight to the Summer Fridays website, but I ran into a bit of a snag with my credit card at first. Some US sites are picky about non-US billing addresses. If you find yourself stuck, I highly recommend checking out the BuyForMe service. It’s basically a proxy shopping assistant that buys the item for you so you don't have to worry about your payment being declined.

I ended up using a **tax-free US address** provided by my forwarding service. This is a huge tip: shipping to an address in Oregon, for example, means you don't pay US sales tax at the checkout. It saved me a few extra dollars right off the bat, which I then put toward the international shipping cost.

My shipping and logistics breakdown

Before I clicked 'buy', I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to be shocked by the delivery fees. I used the shipping calculator to get a rough idea of what I'd be paying. Since a lip balm is tiny, I considered adding a few more items to my cart to make the most of the package. You might also like to check our guide on consolidating orders to save even more.

The international shipping service was surprisingly fast. I chose an express option because, let’s be real, I’m impatient when it comes to coffee-scented beauty products. My package was ready to forward packages within 24 hours of arriving at the US warehouse.

What I learned about Italian import taxes

Shipping to Italy in 2026 means we have to be mindful of the rules. I made sure to look at the latest info on import duties and VAT. For items coming from the US, you generally have to pay Italian VAT (IVA) upon arrival. Since the value of a single lip balm is relatively low, the total wasn't astronomical, but it’s something you always need to calculate beforehand so there are no surprises at your doorstep.

Is it actually worth it?

After using the Iced Coffee balm for a few days, I have to say: yes, I think it is. The scent is exactly like a cold brew with a splash of vanilla. While the logistics of getting it to Italy took a little bit of effort, using a parcel forwarding service made the process way smoother than I expected. If you’re a fan of the brand and want that specific 2026 limited edition vibe, I’d say go for it. Just make sure to bundle it with a few other US-exclusive treats to make the shipping cost even more efficient.