BEAUTY and skincare lovers are racing against tariff deadlines to snatch up Korean products.
These duty-free products, which have been lauded as game-changing and inspiring for thousands of Americans, could be subject to tariffs as soon as Friday, depending on whether the US and South Korea are able to reach a trade deal.
Fans of Korean beauty products are in a panic.[/caption]
Americans have been worried about potential price hikes in the lead up to looming deadline, buying lotions and other cosmetics in bulk.
One dreaded the prospect of high taxes on Korean-made face masks and sheets so much that she decided to go all in.
“I did a recent haul to stockpile,” the 24-year-old told the Associated Press on Monday.
“I bought 50 [products] in bulk,” she added, hoping it would “last [her] a few months.”
Depending on the results of the trade deal, duty tax on South Korean beauty products could go up to 25%, and shoppers are taking it extremely seriously.
TikTok influencer Taylor Bosman Teague told her hundreds of thousands of followers that while “the future is uncertain,” she was resolute about one thing.
“I am not willing to lose certain Korean skin-care products,” she declared in her recent post, according to The New York Times.
Anxieties over K-cosmetic bulk buys are running rampant on other social media platforms such as Reddit.
“Honestly, I’m kind of panicking right now,” one Redditor wrote in a post three months ago.
“I don’t fully understand what’s going to happen or how this will all play out.”
The poster proceeded to ask for advice on “looking for the best platforms with international shipping and good discounts.”
They added that they were already considering retailers like Olive Young Global and StyleKorean.
WHAT LIES AHEAD?
While the future of Korean skincare and cosmetic imports in the US remains uncertain, some are looking to alternatives.
Some fans have decided to wait until the dust settles, as the Associated Press noted.
Others, like influencer Liah Yoo, told the Times that despite fears of rising tariff-related prices, she thinks it could better the global industry in the long run.
What items will be affected by the tariffs?
AMERICANS should prepare to see significant prices changes on everything from avocados to cars under President Donald Trump’s new global tariffs.
Here is a list of some of the everyday products that could see a massive price tag surge.
- Coffee
- Tea
- Bananas
- Foreign-made cars
- Sneakers
- Furniture and other home goods
- Pharmaceuticals
- Video games
- Clothing
- Toys
- Washers and dryers
- Avocados
- Housing materials
