Customs and Duties on Korean Orders in 2026: US, UK, AU, SG explained

If you ordered Korean skincare from a US address in the last year, the rules changed under you — twice. Here is what actually applies to a Korea-to-you parcel in 2026, by destination.

United States

Korean-origin goods carry a reciprocal tariff of roughly 15% of declared value, plus a small merchandise processing fee per entry.

This is also why Olive Young Global stopped shipping to the US on 29 May 2026 and now redirects US customers to a US-stocked platform with a narrower range. Seoul-direct stores still ship — the duty just has to be priced honestly.

United Kingdom

VAT (20%) applies from £0 — for orders up to £135 it is collected by the seller at checkout; above £135 the carrier collects VAT (and duty above the customs threshold) before delivery.

What to check before you order from any Korean store

• Does the price include destination duty/tax (DDP), or will the carrier bill you at the door (DDU)?
• Is the store shipping from Korea at all — or reselling from a warehouse in Hong Kong or the US? The customs paper trail follows the true origin.

Sources: US CBP de minimis suspension (Aug 2025 / Feb 2026); Olive Young Global US shipping notice (May 2026); IRAS, ABF and HMRC import guidance. Rules change — this page reflects August 2026.