The five things I learned while shipping CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo to South Korea

Why I wanted this specific CeraVe shampoo

I have been searching for a solution to my dry, itchy scalp for months, and I kept seeing the CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo all over my social media feeds. It is currently a US-exclusive product, which makes it a bit of a challenge to find here in South Korea. What caught my eye was the formula: it uses 1% Salicylic Acid to treat flaking but combines it with those famous CeraVe ceramides to keep the scalp barrier healthy. Most anti-dandruff shampoos I have tried in the past leave my hair feeling like straw, so I was desperate to see if this one lived up to the hype.

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Since I could not find it at local retailers, I decided to use a freight forwarder to get it from a US shop to my home. I found that using comGateway made the process much easier than trying to find a third-party reseller who would likely charge triple the price.

My favorite US stores for scalp care

I spent some time looking at different shops to find the best deal. I found that major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Walgreens are the most reliable places to find the CeraVe dermatological line in stock. These stores often have sales, and I can usually get a tax-free us address by shipping my items to a warehouse in Oregon, which saves me a few extra dollars on US sales tax.

If you are looking for other beauty items to bundle with your shampoo, I recommend checking out Sephora or Ulta. I like to consolidate my packages to save on international shipping rates. It is much cheaper to ship one box with three or four items than to ship four separate bottles of shampoo.

How I handle stores that don't like my credit card

One thing I encountered while trying to shop at certain US stores was the dreaded "payment declined" screen. I found that some stores, like Nike or certain big-box retailers, often block international credit cards or refuse to ship to a parcel forwarding service. This was incredibly frustrating when I just wanted my shampoo!

I discovered that the safest way to fix this is the "BuyForMe" service. Instead of me trying to use my Korean credit card, I let the team at comGateway buy the item on my behalf using a US domestic card. I just provide them with the link to the product, and they handle the purchase. It completely removes the risk of my order getting cancelled and ensures I actually get the items I want from those difficult-to-shop stores. You might also like to check their support pages if you have questions about how the process works.

My breakdown of shipping weights and sizes

I know how important it is to know what you are going to pay before you hit the checkout button. I used the shipping calculator to get an idea of the costs beforehand. Here is what I estimated for a single bottle of the CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo:

I found that the shipping fees were very reasonable for such a small item, but it definitely makes more sense to add a few more skincare products to the box to maximize the value of the international shipping service.

What I found out about Korean customs and taxes

When I ship things to South Korea, I always keep the de minimis value in mind. For most items coming from the US, you can spend up to $200 (including the cost of the item and domestic US shipping) without having to pay any import duties. However, for functional cosmetics or "quasi-drugs," the limit can sometimes be lower ($150), so I always stay cautious.

I made sure to have my Personal Customs Clearance (PCC) code ready. If you don't have one, you can get it easily from the Korea Customs Service website. My experience has been that if you stay under the $150 limit for beauty products, the process is very fast. Check our guide on customs tax if you are planning a larger haul to see how it might affect your total cost.

My quick checklist for a smooth delivery

I have put together a small list of what I do every time I order from the US to make sure my package arrives in Seoul without a hitch. First, I always check the FAQ to see if there are any new prohibited items. Second, I use the international shipping tracking number to follow my bottle of shampoo as it crosses the Pacific.

I am so glad I finally got my hands on this CeraVe shampoo. My scalp feels significantly better, and the process of using a package forwarding service was much simpler than I expected. If you are in Korea and tired of the limited local selection, I highly recommend trying this method to shop us store favorites that aren't available here yet.