KorExBridge
Korean skincare sells well on Amazon and TikTok Shop and in salons and small boutiques. The hard part is buying it in volume at a fair price. This guide covers your options and the US rules you need to know and what a wholesale order looks like.
In this article
Three Ways to Buy Wholesale
| Route | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Brand's US distributor | One brand in volume with US paperwork done | Prices above Korean wholesale. One brand per account. |
| Brand direct in Korea | Large repeat orders | Many brands only open export accounts for big volume. |
| Sourcing agent in Seoul | Mixed brands and smaller orders | You are still the importer. Check who inspects the goods. |
A sourcing agent helps most when you want several brands in one shipment or when you are testing products before a big order. We buy from Korean suppliers and count and check every item at our Seoul warehouse before it ships.
US Rules for Reselling Cosmetics
Buying for yourself and buying to resell are different. When you sell cosmetics in the US these rules matter.
Registration and listing. Under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) the responsible person lists each cosmetic product with the FDA. The responsible person is the company whose name is on the label. Facilities that make the products register with the FDA. Some small businesses with under $1 million in average yearly US cosmetics sales are exempt from parts of this. Check the FDA registration and listing page for your case.
English labels. Cosmetics sold in the US need the required label information in English. Korean only packaging usually needs an English label added before sale.
Sunscreen is a drug in the US. Korean sunscreens are popular. But in the US sunscreen is regulated as an over the counter drug. We do not supply sunscreens for resale in the US.
Import duty. The US duty free allowance was suspended in August 2025. Duty can apply to any commercial shipment. The rate depends on the product.
This is a short overview and not legal advice. A customs broker or regulatory consultant can confirm what applies to your products.
What a Carton Costs to Ship
Skincare is dense. So a carton is usually billed by its real weight rather than its size. Here is one example from our FedEx rate on 2 Nov 2026.
Product cost and our fee and shipping all go in one quote. Our wholesale fee is agreed per order and is lower than our 15% retail fee.
How a Wholesale Order Works
- 1
Send your list
Brands and products and how many of each.
- 2
Get one quote
Product cost and our fee and shipping by carton. Nothing is charged before you approve.
- 3
Pay a deposit
50% to place the order. The rest before the cartons ship.
- 4
We source and check
We buy from Korean suppliers and count and check every item in Seoul.
- 5
We ship
By FedEx or air cargo with a commercial invoice and packing list.
We do not ship perfume or aerosols or food. If you only need a few items for yourself our regular buying service is simpler.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wholesale order?
Orders start at $1,000 in products. You can mix brands and products in one order.
How do I pay for a wholesale order?
Pay a 50% deposit by PayPal or bank transfer to place the order. The rest is due before the cartons ship.
Can you supply sunscreen for resale in the US?
No. In the US sunscreen is regulated as a drug. We do not supply sunscreens for resale there.
Who is the importer?
You are. US import duty and US cosmetics rules such as product listing and English labels are your responsibility. We give you the commercial invoice and packing list.
Do you ship wholesale cartons outside the US?
Yes. Tell us your country in the wholesale form and we quote shipping for it.
Stocking Korean skincare?
Send us your product list. We reply with a wholesale quote within 1 business day.
Send wholesale inquiry → From $1,000 · 50% deposit · every item checked in Seoul