Shipping the Summer Fridays Iced Matcha balm to Hong Kong using a freight forwarder

Understanding the Iced Matcha Lip Butter Balm hype

If your TikTok feed looks anything like mine, you have probably seen the neon green aesthetic of the new Summer Fridays Iced Matcha Lip Butter Balm. Released on May 19, 2026, this limited-edition flavor has already become a must-have for beauty enthusiasts in Hong Kong. It features that signature creamy texture we love, but with a refreshing green tea scent that is perfect for the humid summer ahead.

The problem? Summer Fridays officially restricted this release to their US website. Even though the buzz is massive in the UK and Asia, the brand is not offering direct international shipping for this specific flavor yet. If you try to check out from Hong Kong, you will likely hit a wall at the shipping address page.

Solving the US-only shipping restriction

To get your hands on this balm, you need a local presence in the United States. This is where using a freight forwarder becomes essential. By signing up for a service like comGateway, you get a tax-free US address. When you shop US store sites, you simply enter this address at checkout instead of your Hong Kong home address.

Once your package arrives at the US warehouse, the package forwarding service notifies you. From there, you can choose your preferred carrier—like DHL international shipping or FedEx international shipping—to fly your haul straight to Hong Kong. This is the fastest "speed run" method to ensure you are among the first in the city to own the Iced Matcha tube.

Using BuyForMe to bypass credit card declines

Even with a US address, you might run into a major hurdle. Many popular US retailers, including Sephora and Summer Fridays, are notorious for blocking international credit cards or flagging orders that use a known parcel forwarding service address. It is incredibly frustrating to see your order cancelled minutes after placing it because your HK-issued Visa or Mastercard was declined.

The safest way to guarantee your order goes through is by using the BuyForMe service. This assisted purchase option means comGateway will buy the item on your behalf using a US domestic credit card.

The Benefit: By utilizing proxy shopping, you eliminate the risk of automated security cancellations. We handle the entire transaction with the store, ensuring the Iced Matcha balm is secured before the limited-edition stock runs out. It is the most reliable way to navigate difficult US storefronts that typically reject overseas buyers.

Ordering your balm step-by-step

Ready to start? Here is a quick step-by-step guide on how it works:

• Step 1: Register for a free account at comGateway to get your unique US address.
• Step 2: Go to the Summer Fridays website. If you want to play it safe, use the BuyForMe service by pasting the product link into the request form.
• Step 3: Once the item reaches your US address, you will receive an email notification.
• Step 4: Log in to your dashboard to estimate shipping cost and select your shipping speed.
• Step 5: Pay the shipping fee and wait for your package to arrive in Hong Kong.

Estimating shipping and import tax for Hong Kong

One of the best parts about living in Hong Kong is that it is a free port. For most cosmetic items like lip balms, you generally do not have to worry about a heavy import tax. This makes international shipping from the US much more affordable compared to shipping to Europe or mainland China.

Before you commit, I highly recommend using the shipping calculator. It helps you estimate shipping cost based on the weight of your package. Since a single lip balm is very light, you might want to consider "consolidating" your order. You could add a few more US-exclusive beauty finds to the same box to get the best value out of your freight forwarder fees. Shipping three items in one box is almost always cheaper than shipping three separate packages!

With the Iced Matcha drop being so time-sensitive in 2026, don't wait for a local reseller to double the price. Use these steps to get it directly from the source.