Why I chose to ship the Summer Fridays Iced Coffee lip balm from the US to South Korea instead of waiting for a local restock

Why I fell for the Iced Coffee lip balm hype

It started on my TikTok feed. Every beauty influencer I follow in April 2026 seems to be swiping on the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in the 'Iced Coffee' shade. In South Korea, we love our coffee culture, so the idea of a lip balm that smells like a fresh cold brew and provides a perfect neutral tint was irresistible. However, the problem we face in Seoul is that local retailers are either sold out or charging double the retail price. I realized that if I wanted this specific tube without waiting months for a local restock, I had to look toward the United States.

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Ordering from US stores when local stock is zero

I found that the best way to secure this viral item is to shop US store sites directly. Brands like Summer Fridays and retailers like Sephora US restock far more frequently than our local shops. When I checked the price, it was $24 USD. Even with the exchange rate in 2026, it felt like a better deal than the 65,000 KRW prices I was seeing on unauthorized reseller platforms. To get it to my door, I needed a step-by-step guide on how to bridge the gap between a US warehouse and my home in South Korea.

Shipping estimates for your beauty haul

Before I placed my order, I wanted to know if the shipping would outweigh the savings. If you are just buying one or two tubes, the package is extremely light. Here is what I calculated for my shipment:

I always suggest using a shipping calculator to get an exact quote before you click the buy button. It helps avoid any surprises when the bill arrives.

How I used a freight forwarder to save on costs

Since the official US store doesn't ship directly to my apartment in Incheon, I used comGateway as my freight forwarder. They provided me with a tax-free us address in Oregon. This is a huge win because it meant I didn't have to pay US sales tax on my Sephora order, which saved me about 10% right off the bat. My experience showed that international shipping for small beauty items is much more affordable if you consolidate them with other purchases. If you are curious about the process, you can find more details in the FAQ section of their site.

Import tax and customs rules for South Korea

We need to be careful about import tax when bringing goods into South Korea. Currently, in 2026, the de minimis value for goods shipped from the US is $200 USD for personal use. Since my lip balm and a few other skincare treats totaled about $120, I didn't have to pay any extra duties. If you go over that $200 limit, be prepared for South Korea delivery to include a customs bill. You should check the latest guide on import duties to see how the current VAT and customs rates might apply to your specific haul.

Also, keep in mind that certain cosmetics might have ingredients that are on the prohibited items list. Luckily, Summer Fridays balms are generally safe for ship to South Korea, but it is always better to double-check if you are adding sunscreen or medicinal ointments to your cart.

My final thoughts on the smart shopper approach

I believe that being a smart shopper means looking at the total cost. By using a freight forwarder, I bypassed the local "scarcity tax" and got the exact product I wanted. The Iced Coffee shade is even better in person than it looked on my screen. If you are tired of seeing "out of stock" on your favorite Korean beauty sites, I highly recommend trying the US-to-KR shipping route. It is often faster and cheaper than waiting for a miracle restock in Seoul.