I found the shortcut to getting the Summer Fridays Iced Matcha balm in South Korea without the usual customs stress

Why I am obsessed with the Summer Fridays Iced Matcha Balm

I have been scrolling through my TikTok feed all week, and it seems like every beauty influencer in Australia is flaunting the 2026 Summer Fridays 'The Lip Butter Balm' in the limited edition Iced Matcha flavor. As someone living in South Korea, I was immediately struck by the aesthetic green tube and the promise of that creamy, decadent scent. However, I noticed a huge problem: this specific release is a US exclusive, and the price markup on local resale sites is absolutely wild.

I realized that if I wanted this balm without paying triple the price, I had to shop US store sites directly. The formula is legendary for a reason—it is vegan, incredibly hydrating, and provides that perfect 2026 glass-skin glow for your lips. I knew I had to find a way to get it from the source using a reliable freight forwarder.

The lazy way I shop US stores from Seoul

I used to spend hours worrying about how to get American products to my door, but I’ve since adopted a much lazier, more efficient method. I simply use a tax-free US address provided by comGateway. This allows me to shop like a local. Instead of dealing with stores that don't offer international shipping, I just send my packages to my US suite and let the experts handle the rest.

When I was looking at the Summer Fridays site, I checked the prohibited items list just to be safe, but since it is a standard lip balm, there are no issues with restricted goods. It is one of the easiest items to move across borders.

The BuyForMe service solved my credit card rejection issues

One thing I’ve encountered frequently when trying to buy limited edition drops like the Iced Matcha balm is the dreaded "order cancelled" email. Many US retailers, including major beauty hubs, often block international credit cards or refuse to ship to known warehouse addresses. This happened to me twice before I discovered the BuyForMe service.

This proxy shopping option is perfect for those of us who want zero stress. We simply tell the comGateway team what we want, and they use a US domestic card to make the purchase for us. It is the most reliable assisted purchase method I have found, ensuring that my limited edition items aren't snatched up by someone else while I'm struggling with a payment error. If you ever run into trouble, their support team is quite helpful at explaining the process.

My shipping estimates for the Lip Butter Balm

Before I clicked buy, I wanted to know exactly what I was getting into regarding costs. I used the shipping calculator to get a rough idea. Here is what I found for a single tube (or a small bundle) of the Summer Fridays balm:

I always suggest checking the estimate shipping cost tool if you plan on adding more items to your cart, as consolidating multiple 2026 beauty releases can save you a lot of money on the base shipping rate.

What I learned about South Korea delivery rules

Shipping to South Korea is generally very fast when you use a professional international shipping service. For my South Korea delivery, I keep in mind the "de minimis" value. As long as my total order (including US domestic shipping) is under $200 USD, I typically don't have to worry about additional duties for personal use items.

I’ve found that when I buy from US ship to South Korea, the transit time is usually around 3 to 5 business days once the package leaves the warehouse. It is much faster than I expected! If you have more questions about the specifics of your region, the FAQ or help center usually has the answers regarding local customs clearance.

By using this lazy approach, I managed to secure the Iced Matcha balm without ever leaving my couch in Seoul. It really makes me wonder why I ever tried to do it the hard way before.