Buying Korean skincare from Europe has become slightly more complicated.
Since July 2026, the European Union has introduced new customs duties on small parcels arriving from outside the EU.
For shoppers ordering from Korean beauty retailers, that raises an important question: will your skincare cost more when it arrives?
The answer depends partly on where you shop.
1. The EU’s new €3 customs duty
On 1 July 2026, the EU introduced a temporary customs duty on imported parcels valued at €150 or less.
Previously, these low-value shipments generally qualified for an exemption from customs duties.
Under the new rules, a €3 duty applies to each distinct customs product category within an eligible parcel.
That distinction matters.
The charge is not necessarily €3 for every individual product. Several identical products sharing the same customs classification may attract one charge, while products classified differently may attract separate charges.
The temporary system is currently scheduled to remain in place until July 2028.
Import VAT is separate from this customs duty, and additional courier handling charges may also apply depending on the retailer and delivery arrangements.
2. What happens when you order from YesStyle?
There is some good news for European K-beauty shoppers.
YesStyle currently states that it covers the new EU small-parcel customs duty for eligible orders.
Its EU customer guidance also confirms that product prices include VAT, with VAT on shipping calculated during checkout.
That means shoppers should not normally face an additional charge for the new €3 duty on qualifying YesStyle orders.
However, policies can change, and customers should always check the final checkout amount and delivery terms before purchasing.
For now, YesStyle offers relatively clear information about how it handles the new rules.
3. What about Stylevana and Olive Young?
The situation differs between retailers.
Stylevana announced in June 2026 that customers shopping through its relevant EU regional stores could continue ordering normally after the customs changes.
According to its announcement, the checkout price remains final, without additional delivery charges arising from the new rules.
Olive Young Global takes a different approach.
Its published international shipping guidance lists Europe among destinations where taxes and customs charges may be collected upon delivery.
It also warns that product prices and shipping fees do not include applicable import taxes or customs duties.
For European customers, this makes checking the potential landed cost particularly important before ordering.
4. How to avoid unexpected charges
Before ordering Korean skincare from outside the EU, check four things.
First, confirm where your order ships from. A European-looking website does not necessarily mean its products are dispatched from an EU warehouse.
Second, check whether VAT is included. VAT and customs duties are different charges.
Third, review the retailer’s customs policy. Some retailers absorb import costs, while others leave them to the customer.
Finally, compare the total delivered price. A discounted serum is not necessarily cheaper once shipping, taxes and potential handling charges are included.
These considerations are particularly relevant when comparing international retailers with sellers already distributing products within the EU.
The ThisKovery Take
For European shoppers, the best Korean skincare deal is no longer just about the product price.
It is about the total cost of getting that product to your door.
YesStyle and Stylevana currently offer reassuring policies for eligible EU orders, while Olive Young Global requires closer attention to potential import charges.
The smartest approach is simple: compare the final delivered cost, not just the discount.
Because a bargain that arrives with an unexpected customs bill is not quite the bargain you expected.
Related on ThisKovery: Olive Young vs YesStyle vs Stylevana, Where to Buy Korean Skincare in the UK, and Where to Buy Korean Skincare in the US.