Is there a secret way to get the Iced Matcha Summer Fridays balm delivered to the UK

Why I became obsessed with the Iced Matcha drop

I woke up last Tuesday to a TikTok feed entirely saturated with a specific shade of pale green. It wasn't just any green; it was the limited edition Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in 'Iced Matcha'. As a fan of the 'Clean Girl' aesthetic that has dominated 2026, I knew this was going to be the next big thing. The problem? I live in the United Kingdom, and this specific drop was announced as an exclusive for Sephora US and the official Summer Fridays site.

I watched as creators in the US swatched the creamy, minty-green tint, and I felt that familiar pang of regional exclusion. We often get the standard shades here in London, but these limited runs usually sell out before they ever cross the Atlantic. I decided I wasn't going to sit this one out. I started looking at us trends on the comGateway site to see if other beauty enthusiasts were finding ways around these borders.

The mystery of why the UK is missing out

We often wonder why brands like Summer Fridays choose to keep certain shades exclusive to North America. My theory is that it builds a level of scarcity that fuels the viral cycle. By the time I saw it trending, the 'Iced Matcha' was already being hailed as a 'Rising Star' on global social media. I checked our local retailers, and while they carry the Vanilla and Poppy shades, the Iced Matcha was nowhere to be found.

I realized that if I wanted this balm, I had to act like an insider. I couldn't just wait for a local restock. I needed to shop directly from the source. I found that many international shipping options were either too expensive or didn't support the specific US stores I needed to visit. This is when I turned to my trusted freight forwarder to bridge the gap.

My personal strategy for shopping US exclusives

I started by setting up a tax-free us address through comGateway. This is my favorite trick because it allows me to shop at Sephora US as if I were standing in a store in Oregon or Delaware. I simply entered my unique US suite number at checkout. Because I used a freight forwarder, I didn't have to worry about whether the store itself offered direct shipping to the UK.

I’ve used this package forwarding service for several years now, especially for limited drops. Once my Iced Matcha balm arrived at the warehouse, I was notified immediately. I love that I can consolidate multiple small orders into one box, which significantly reduces the price I pay for international shipping. It makes me feel like I have a personal assistant in the United States handling my mail.

Shipping estimates for my beauty haul

I know many of you are curious about the cost of bringing a single lip balm across the ocean. To help you plan your next beauty haul, I’ve put together some estimates based on my experience. I always recommend using a shipping calculator before you buy, just so there are no surprises.

I suggest checking the shipping calculator to see how much it would cost to add a few more items to your box. Since the weight of a lip balm is so negligible, adding a moisturizer or a cleanser often doesn't increase the shipping fee by much at all.

Handling import tax and VAT for UK deliveries

We have to talk about the less glamorous side of shopping from the US: the import tax. In 2026, the UK customs regulations are quite strict about what enters the country. I always make sure to factor in the 20% VAT that applies to most imports. Sometimes, I choose to prepay these fees through my parcel forwarding service so that my package doesn't get stuck at the border.

I highly recommend you read the latest updates on import duties to ensure you aren't hit with unexpected handling fees from the local courier. By being proactive, I ensure that my Iced Matcha balm arrives at my door in London without me having to chase down a customs invoice. It makes the whole process feel much more seamless.

The secret to my international shipping success

I’ve found that the real secret to staying ahead of the trends is having a reliable way to forward packages from wherever the product is actually in stock. Whether it is a viral lip balm or a limited edition sneaker, I don't let my location define what I can buy. We live in a global economy, but logistics still play by old rules. Using a service like comGateway allows me to break those rules legally and efficiently.

I’ve already received my tracking number for my Iced Matcha balm, and it is currently making its way from the US warehouse to my flat. I can't wait to finally see if that green tint is as hydrating as everyone says it is. If you’re tired of seeing 'This item does not ship to your country', maybe it's time you tried my method too.