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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to what US buyers ask most about buying Korean market skincare, covering authenticity, shipping, and returns. If your question is not here, contact us and a person will answer it.
How do I know these are authentic Korean market formulas?
We key every listing to a barcode rather than a name, because names get recycled across markets, and we record the market a product was made for as a field in our catalog rather than as a slogan. When your order arrives, read the barcode and the production code off the package yourself.
How do I check the batch code on my product?
It depends on the brand, so we publish the route on each product page. Medicube prints a QR code on the inner box. COSRX runs its own lookup on cosrx.com. Anua uses a holographic seal that the HiddenTag app reads. We never point you at a decoder that does not support your product.
How long does my order take to arrive?
Every order is tracked to your door and arrives in 3 to 5 business days once dispatched, whether it ships from California or direct from Korea. Tracking is emailed as soon as the label is created.
How much is shipping and when is it free?
Shipping is free on orders over 100 dollars. Below that, shipping is calculated at checkout and shown to you before you pay. We add no separate import fee, brokerage charge, or handling surcharge later.
Where does my order ship from?
From California or direct from Korea. Every product is bought for the Korean market, so the unit in the box is the one made for Korean shelves whichever route it takes, and a parcel sent direct from Korea comes straight from the market the formula was made for.
Can I return skincare if I change my mind?
Yes, within 30 days, provided the item is unopened and its seal is intact. Skincare is applied to skin, so an opened jar or bottle cannot be resold or restocked safely. We pay the return postage and send you a prepaid label, so changing your mind costs you nothing. Start a return by contacting us first.
What if my order arrives damaged or is the wrong item?
We fix it and you pay nothing. Send us a photo of the item and the packaging within 7 days of delivery and we will send a replacement or refund you in full. You will not be asked to pay return postage, and in most cases you will not need to ship anything back.
Is the Korean version different from the US version?
Usually not, outside of sunscreen. We checked the twelve brands we researched in August 2026 against their own sites and independent ingredient databases and found no documented case of a different formula shipping to the United States in the categories we sell. Our guide to Korean and US formulas sets out what we found.
Is the packaging in Korean or in English?
Korean market packaging is printed primarily in Korean, which is part of how you can tell what you are holding. The barcode and the production code are intact exactly as they left the factory. We intend to add an English over label carrying ingredients and contents for the US market.
What does the barcode on the box tell you?
The EAN barcode identifies the exact unit a brand released, and we key every listing in our catalog to it rather than to a product name. Names get reused across markets and reformulations, so a barcode is a far more reliable way to know which release you are buying.
Which Korean skincare brands do you carry?
We stock 284 Korean brands, including COSRX, Beauty of Joseon, Anua, Medicube, SKIN1004, Purito Seoul, Isntree, Round Lab, Biodance, VT Cosmetics, Dr. Althea and Centellian24. Every product listed is the release made for the Korean market. Browse the full catalog to see every brand in stock now.
How do I contact you about an order?
Email contact@korean-pharmacy.com and a person reads it. We reply within one business day, Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 Pacific. Include your order number and the name the order was placed under.