I found a way to step into the New Balance 990v7 'Made in USA' without the Seoul-crushing local markups

The 2026 Hype: Why the New Balance 990v7 is my current obsession

I’ve walked through Hongdae and Gangnam more times than I can count this year, and I noticed a recurring theme: everyone is staring at my feet. Or rather, they are staring at what *should* be on my feet. The 2026 release of the New Balance 990v7 'Made in USA' has officially taken over the street fashion scene. While the 990 series has always been a staple, this 2026 iteration brings a refined mesh pattern and a redesigned fuel-cell midsole that makes me feel like I’m walking on clouds made of pure American quality.

I realized early on that waiting for these to hit local shelves in Seoul was a fool's errand. The 'Made in USA' versions are notoriously scarce in South Korea, and when they do appear, the price tag is enough to make my wallet weep. I decided to look at us trends and discovered that buying directly from US retailers was not just an option, but a necessity for my collection.

Myth-Busting: Is shipping to South Korea actually expensive?

I used to believe the common myth that shipping a single pair of sneakers from the US to South Korea would cost as much as the shoes themselves. I was wrong. By using a reliable freight forwarder like comGateway, I realized that I could access a tax-free us address in Oregon, which saved me from paying US sales tax immediately.

I spent some time with the shipping calculator and found that when you factor in the massive local markup in Korea, importing them myself actually saved me nearly 80,000 KRW. The myth that "overseas shipping is a black hole for money" simply doesn't hold up when you are chasing high-end releases like the 990v7.

Shipping Estimates: What I found for the 990v7

I know many of you are worried about the bulkiness of sneaker boxes. Here is the data I gathered during my purchase to help you plan your budget:

The BuyForMe Solution: How I bypassed US store blocks

I hit a major snag when I first tried to buy from a popular US sneaker boutique. They flat-out declined my Korean credit card. It turns out many top-tier US stores—including New Balance's official site and places like Sephora or Nike—often block international billing addresses or flag orders sent to known forwarders. It was incredibly frustrating.

I found the solution through comGateway’s "BuyForMe" service. Instead of me struggling with the checkout, I simply told them what I wanted. They used a US domestic card to purchase the 990v7 on my behalf. It is honestly the safest way to guarantee an order doesn't get cancelled at 3 AM while you're sleeping in Seoul. If you are eyeing a store that is notoriously difficult with international payments, this is the way to go.

My step-by-step acquisition strategy

I followed a very simple step-by-step guide to get my pair home. First, I secured my US address. Then, I used the BuyForMe service to place the order at a US retailer. Once the shoes arrived at the warehouse, I was notified immediately. I chose the fastest shipping method because, let’s be honest, I have zero patience when it comes to New Balances.

You might also like to check out how consolidation can save you more if you're planning to buy matching apparel. I found that adding a few t-shirts didn't even bump up my shipping tier.

Customs and Taxes in South Korea

I had to be careful about import duties. In South Korea, the de minimis threshold for personal imports from the US is $200 USD (including the cost of the item and domestic US shipping/insurance). Since the New Balance 990v7 'Made in USA' usually hovers around the $200 to $220 mark, I made sure to check the current exchange rates and any applicable customs tax rules.

I discovered that if the price exceeds $200, you will likely be charged around 10% VAT and potentially 13% in duties. However, even with these costs, the total price was still lower than the "resell" prices I was seeing in the underground markets of Myeongdong. It pays to do the math and shop us store directly whenever possible.