My method for getting Merit’s new matte lipstick to France from the US

Why I’m obsessed with the Merit Signature Lip Matte formula

I have been waiting for Merit to expand their Signature Lip line for a long time. The original satin finish is a staple in my bag, but the 2026 launch of the Matte Formula really changed my makeup routine. It offers that specific blurred, soft-focus look that is currently trending across social media. However, as someone living in France, I noticed a problem: this specific launch is currently a US exclusive. While Merit has some presence here, the new matte shades are not yet available in local retailers.

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I decided I wasn't going to wait months for a local release. The matte formula is incredibly lightweight and doesn't feel like a traditional heavy matte. I wanted it now, so I looked into my options for ordering directly from American stores like Merit’s own website or Sephora US.

My strategy for buying Merit directly from the US

To get my hands on these lipsticks, I used a freight forwarder to provide me with a US presence. This is the most logical way to shop because it gives me a tax-free us address in Oregon. When I shop at US stores, I ship my items to this address first. It essentially makes the store think I am a domestic customer.

If you are new to this, I recommend looking at this step-by-step guide which explains how the process works from start to finish. I found that using comGateway made the process straightforward. Once my lipstick arrived at their warehouse, I could manage everything from my dashboard and prepare it for its journey to Paris.

Why I use the BuyForMe service for US beauty brands

I have encountered issues in the past where US stores like Sephora or the official Merit site decline my French credit card. Many US retailers are programmed to block international payment methods or orders that use a known forwarding address. This is why I rely on the BuyForMe service.

When I use this proxy shopping option, I simply tell the experts at comGateway what I want. They use a US-based credit card to make the purchase on my behalf. This is the safest way to guarantee that my order isn't cancelled. It eliminates the frustration of payment errors and ensures that I actually get the limited edition matte shades I want without the technical headaches. If you've ever had a "transaction declined" message while trying to buy US-exclusive beauty products, this assisted purchase is the solution you need.

Getting my Merit haul to France

Once the lipstick is at the warehouse, it is time to ship to France. I always check the shipping calculator before I finalize my shipment to see exactly what the costs will be. Since lipsticks are small and light, I often wait until I have a few other items to ship together to save on the base shipping fee. This 2026 haul included a few other US-only skincare items as well.

I also made sure to check the prohibited items list. While most makeup is perfectly fine to ship, I always double-check to ensure there are no aerosols or restricted chemicals that might cause a delay at customs. For the Merit Signature Lip, there were no issues at all.

Shipping Estimates for Merit Signature Lip

If you are planning to buy this lipstick, here is the breakdown of what I estimated for the shipping logistics:

I suggest using the estimate shipping cost tool to see how adding more items might affect your final price. Usually, adding a second or third lipstick barely changes the shipping cost due to their light weight.

How I handle French import rules for cosmetics

When I buy from US ship to France, I keep in mind that French customs will apply VAT (usually 20%) on items coming from outside the EU. Since 2021, the de minimis threshold for VAT has been removed, so expect to pay this on any value. For my Merit order, I simply factored this into my budget. The courier usually handles the paperwork, and I pay the fees online before France delivery occurs. It is a small price to pay for access to products that won't be in Paris for another six months.