A small US shop that wants Korean fashion or lifestyle goods faces a market built around domestic wholesale districts and Korean-language B2B platforms. The retail path is easy and the margins do not work; the wholesale path works and requires a different set of arrangements.
Retail versus wholesale pricing
Buying at Korean retail leaves roughly 30 to 45 percent below US retail before shipping and duty, which is not enough margin for a shop. Wholesale pricing in the Korean apparel districts typically sits 50 to 65 percent below Korean retail, which is where a viable margin appears. That gap is the entire reason to deal with the complexity.
Minimums and how they actually work
Wholesale minimums in Korean apparel are often per style rather than per order, commonly three to ten pieces per style across sizes and colors. Total order minimums are frequently modest, in the 500,000 to 2,000,000 KRW range. This is far more accessible than most US importers assume, but it requires a Korean business relationship and usually a Korean-language conversation.
What a first order should look like
Start with a small mixed order across six to ten styles rather than a deep buy on two. Korean fashion moves fast and a style that sells out at the wholesaler in three weeks will not be reorderable, so early orders are about learning what your customers respond to. Expect a first order of roughly 15 to 30 kg, which ships economically by air.
Paperwork you will actually need
For commercial quantities, a commercial invoice with accurate values and product descriptions, and the correct classification for duty purposes. Apparel duty rates vary widely by fiber content and construction, commonly in the 8 to 20 percent band, so the fiber composition on your invoice is not a formality. Textiles also have labeling requirements for US retail sale.
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Start a buy-for-me order →Frequently asked
Can I buy wholesale without visiting Korea?
Yes, through Korean B2B platforms and by working with someone who can transact with wholesalers directly. Visiting is faster for building relationships but is not a requirement to start.
What duty should I expect on apparel?
Rates depend on fiber content and garment type and commonly land in the 8 to 20 percent range. Get the classification right before ordering, since it changes the landed cost materially.
Are Korean sizes a problem for US customers?
Yes, and it is the most common failure for new importers. Korean apparel runs one to two US sizes small, and buying the size curve you would buy from a US vendor leaves you with unsellable stock.