I found a way to get the US-exclusive Glossier Ambrette solid perfume shipped to the Philippines safely

Why the 2026 Ambrette scent is taking over my feed

I was scrolling through social media the other day and I could not escape the "What's in my bag" posts featuring the new Glossier 'You' Solid Perfume in the 2026 Ambrette Limited Edition. If you are a fan of the original Glossier You, this new version is a much warmer, skin-like musk that feels perfect for the humid weather we have here in the Philippines. Since it is a US-only release for 2026, it has become a bit of a trophy for beauty collectors in Manila.

I love that it comes in the signature weighted metal compact, but the Ambrette version has this beautiful iridescent finish that looks so good in photos. I knew I had to have it, but like most people living in the Philippines, I was worried about how to actually get it here without the package getting lost or being charged double in random fees.

The myth about shipping beauty products to the Philippines

There is a common belief in our local beauty groups that ordering perfume from the US is a recipe for disaster. I used to think that all perfumes were classified as dangerous goods and would be seized by customs immediately. However, I learned that this is mostly a concern for liquid perfumes because of their high alcohol content and flammability.

The great thing about the Glossier Solid Perfume is that it is a wax-based balm. Because it is not a liquid spray, the shipping restrictions are much more relaxed. I found that by using a freight forwarder, I could bypass the usual headaches of direct international shipping. I didn't have to worry about my package being flagged as a hazardous liquid because, well, it isn't one.

My experience using a US address for Glossier

Glossier does not ship directly to the Philippines, so I used comGateway to get a tax-free us address. This allowed me to shop the US store just like I was living in Oregon or Delaware. Before I clicked buy, I made sure to check the shipping calculator to estimate shipping cost so I wouldn't have any surprises later.

Shipping Estimates and Box Details

If you are planning to grab this limited edition scent, here is what my package looked like for my logistics planning:

I checked the international shipping rates and realized it was much cheaper to consolidate this with a few other items I wanted from the US. If you are only buying the perfume, it is very light, but I always suggest checking the FAQ or the help center if you are unsure about adding other beauty products like aerosols to your shipment.

How I handled the customs and import tax situation

One thing that scares a lot of us in the Philippines is the Bureau of Customs. The myth is that you will always pay more in taxes than the item is worth. But here is the reality: in the Philippines, we have the De Minimis rule. As long as your total shipment value (including shipping and insurance) is under PHP 10,000, you don't have to pay import duties or customs tax.

Check our guide on import tax to make sure you stay under the limit. For my Glossier haul, since the solid perfume is priced at $35 USD, I had plenty of room to add a few more items without hitting that 10k threshold. It made the international shipping cost feel much more justified.

Why I prefer a package forwarder over local resellers

I used to buy my Glossier from Shopee or Instagram resellers, but with the 2026 Ambrette edition being so limited, the markups are insane. Some sellers are charging double the retail price! By using a parcel forwarding service, I know I am getting the authentic product directly from the source.

Plus, when you forward packages yourself, you get to experience the actual unboxing with all the original Glossier stickers and samples that resellers often keep for themselves. I’ve found that comGateway is much faster than the standard postal service, and I didn't have to line up at the post office to claim my package. It arrived right at my doorstep in Quezon City just a week after it reached my US address.

If you are on the fence about the 2026 Ambrette Solid Perfume, I say go for it. It's the perfect portable scent for our lifestyle, and as long as you use a reliable freight forwarder, the process is way simpler than the internet makes it out to be.