Korean skincare not sold in Japan: is importing it yourself OK? 102 answers
In February 2025, someone asked on the @cosme Q&A board in Japan: "The Korean skincare product I want isn't in Japanese stores, but it is sold at Olive Young and other shops in Korea. That makes it a personal import. Is it safe? If lots of people overseas use it, can I trust it?" It collected 102 answers.
What the replies said
- By far the most common answer: "it's at your own risk"
- A concrete tip: if Olive Young stocks it, it may be on the Olive Young Global app
- Buying through Olive Young's official site is still a personal import, but the product is genuine; read the site's notes
- Brands' official shops on Rakuten or Qoo10 were suggested as the safer route
- A warning that fakes for a small discount are common, so be wary of unofficial bargains
- Skincare is used for a long time, so waiting until you can try a sample in Japan is an option; popular items often reach Japanese stores
"Your own risk" was the baseline; on top of that, "buy through official channels" and "don't rush" were shared as the practical answers.
Desk note According to Japan Customs, cosmetics imported for personal use go through the normal process up to 24 units per item (excluding jumbo sizes), whether they arrive by post or in your luggage. Beyond that quantity, or if you plan to sell or give them away, the rules change, so check before bulk-buying.
Where do you buy Korean skincare that isn't sold where you live?
Original thread: @cosme Q&A — About personal imports · Reference: Japan Customs
An industry-side footnote: anyone selling Korean cosmetics in Japan needs a cosmetics marketing licence, compliance with Japan's cosmetic standards and full ingredient labelling, according to JETRO. Personal-use imports sit outside that process, but in exchange they cannot be sold or passed on. Reselling a trip haul or a bulk online order on a flea-market app crosses that line. Source: JETRO — Import procedures for cosmetics in Japan