US Market Entry Insights & K-Brand Success Stories
As of October 2026, FBA usually costs less for a few fast sellers sold only on Amazon, and a 3PL usually costs less for slow stock and multichannel orders. A 4 to 8 oz item pays about $4.36 per unit in peak (October 15 to January 14), and standard-size storage is $2.40 per cubic foot a month in Q4.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, CBP refunds IEEPA tariffs, with interest, through its CAPE process in ACE. The money goes only to the importer of record (IOR) or the party it names on CBP Form 4811. A Korean brand gets it only if it was the IOR, for example on DDP shipments. Otherwise the US buyer does.
Read MoreBlack Friday 2026 is November 27 and Cyber Monday is November 30, but most brand deadlines fall in October. As of October 2026, Amazon deal submissions close October 20, FBA inbound closes October 21 or 28, and peak fees already apply. Plan as if stock not yet in the US misses Amazon's Black Friday.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, the allowed ways to get reviews on Amazon at launch are Amazon Vine, Request a Review and neutral requests. Vine takes FBA products with fewer than 30 reviews for $0, $75 or $200 per parent product. Free product, discounts or refunds for reviews break Amazon's rules.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, yes in practice. Amazon requires $1M of liability cover once monthly sales pass $10,000, Walmart asks suppliers for at least $1M/$2M, and each vendor agreement sets the final number. A policy from Korea pays US claims only if its territory and jurisdiction clauses include the US.
Read MoreKorean packaging works in the US only if the label shoppers see has every required statement in English, origin included. Cosmetics also need a MoCRA contact; food needs Nutrition Facts and allergens. As of October 2026, no FDA page we reviewed approves English stickers, so check with your broker.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, food shipped to the US needs FDA registration of the plant that makes it, an FSVP run by the US importer, and Prior Notice for each shipment. The foreign plant registers and names a US agent. 2026 is a renewal year: registrations not renewed by December 31 expire.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, MoCRA requires every facility that makes cosmetics for the US, including factories abroad, to register with FDA. The responsible person named on the label lists each product and reports serious adverse events within 15 business days. FDA issues no MoCRA certificate.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, you can still ship from Korea straight to US customers, but every commercial parcel pays duty. The $800 de minimis exemption has been suspended since August 29, 2025, and Korean goods now pay their MFN rate or 12.5%, whichever is higher. A US warehouse does not lower that rate.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, a Section 301 duty tops goods made in South Korea up to 12.5% in total when their normal (MFN) duty is below 12.5%, with no add-on above that. The normal duty comes from the 10-digit HTS code. Rates can change, so confirm with a licensed customs broker before you price.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, a US import needs an importer of record (IOR) with an IOR number, a power of attorney the IOR signs directly with a licensed customs broker, and a customs bond. Ocean freight also needs an ISF: 8 data elements 24 hours before loading, 2 elements 24 hours before US arrival.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, MSRP is a suggested price resellers can ignore, and MAP pricing limits the advertised price, not the sale price. US federal law generally allows a MAP policy a brand sets alone, but state laws differ. On Amazon, each discount stays in your price history, so plan discounts first.
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