Photo by Julio Lopez · Unsplash
November is when major sales start piling up. With 11.11 Singles’ Day (a major online shopping event in Asia) and Black Friday landing in the same month, a lot of people start wondering, “Should I finally place my first K-beauty order on YesStyle?”
I ordered from YesStyle myself back when I lived in Vancouver. Most of what I figured out then still holds, but some things have changed, including where orders are shipped from and how taxes are handled. So I’ve rechecked everything against how it works now, and this post covers what’s worth knowing before ordering from YesStyle in Canada for the first time.
Is YesStyle a good place to start?
YesStyle is an online store that sells K-beauty alongside Japanese and Chinese brands, plus Asian fashion. (It’s one of several ways to buy Korean skincare online in Canada.) The biggest advantage is being able to compare a wide range of brands and products in one place. The catch is that some products don’t have many reviews, or the reviews aren’t very detailed. If it’s your first time, the safe move is to start with brands you already know and look at the review count, the star rating and what the reviews actually say before adding anything to your cart.
Shipping time when ordering from YesStyle in Canada
This is where my memory didn’t match reality. When I ordered before, I assumed my package was coming from the US. Checking now, YesStyle orders are processed and shipped from a warehouse in Hong Kong. Orders to Canada go out as international shipments, and the actual carrier and method can vary depending on the shipping option you pick.
Delivery to Canada depends on the shipping method you choose and whether your items are ready to ship. As a rough planning estimate, allow around 1 to 2 weeks, though this isn’t a guaranteed delivery window. YesStyle calculates estimated delivery in business days (weekends and public holidays excluded) from both item availability and your chosen shipping method, so if an item isn’t ready to ship, that preparation time adds to the wait. Sale seasons and customs can slow things down too. For the most accurate estimate, check the shipping info shown when you place your order.
In other words, it’s not a great fit if you need something for next week. I used it the same way back then: I’d keep products I was curious about in my cart and order when I wasn’t in a rush, rather than buying things I needed right away. During a sale, it’s even more worth ordering early to allow for the shipping time.
Free shipping once you hit a minimum
YesStyle offers free shipping once your order reaches a certain amount. If you’re already planning to buy several things, combining them into one order can help you reach free shipping — just make sure the extras are things you actually want, not items added only to hit the minimum. That’s how I used to build my cart, too.
One thing to keep in mind: the free shipping minimum changes depending on the shipping method (express or standard) and whatever policy or promotion is running when you order. The most reliable way to know is to set your shipping country to Canada and then check the current free shipping conditions on the cart and checkout pages yourself.
Duties and taxes
This is the part to check before you hit the order button.
Since YesStyle is an overseas store shipping from Hong Kong, Canada’s import rules apply to orders coming into the country. Depending on your order total, where you live and which rules apply, you could face extra charges (duties and taxes) on delivery. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) also notes that goods coming from abroad may be subject to duties and taxes.
Separately, YesStyle currently collects Saskatchewan’s PST at checkout for orders shipped to the province. The tax appears in the checkout total and in your order details (YesStyle Canada tax info). This is separate from any additional import charges that may be assessed when your package enters Canada. That doesn’t mean all import taxes and duties for every part of Canada are taken care of at checkout, though.
YesStyle also has a policy that may reimburse eligible customs-related charges paid on delivery as YesStyle Credit for orders under US$1,000 (YesStyle customs refund info). To request a refund, you’ll need a valid payment receipt, and you must apply within 30 days of the receipt date. Some charges may not be covered, including sales tax already collected at checkout (such as PST) and certain storage, pickup or undelivered-package fees. The refund program exists, but you shouldn’t assume every extra charge will be reimbursed. Check the official policy at the time you order for the details.
So for a first order, look at the tax and shipping lines at checkout, and keep in mind that extra charges could still show up on delivery.
Getting the most out of coupons and rewards
YesStyle has quite a few ways to earn points and save money.
- Stylebucks and Elite Club. YesStyle offers Stylebucks points and membership tiers, including Elite Club benefits. The exact discount depends on your account status and the promotion running at the time — it’s not an automatic discount on every order — so check your account and the checkout page before paying.
- Friend Rewards (referrals). A referral code can sometimes get you a discount on your first purchase.
- Discount coupons and reward codes can sometimes be combined, depending on the conditions. Not every coupon stacks, though, so check the actual discount on the checkout page.
Combining a sale with a coupon and any eligible rewards may help lower your final total. Coupons do come with conditions and expiry dates, so get in the habit of confirming the discount really applied before you pay.
Watch the currency and payment
When ordering from Canada, check the currency setting on the site and the currency shown on the payment screen. Even if prices are listed in CAD, the amount on your statement can differ because of your card’s exchange rate or foreign transaction fees. It’s worth checking your payment currency and card fee terms before you order.
A quick checklist for your first order
- Order early and allow roughly 1 to 2 weeks for delivery, keeping in mind it’s only an estimate. Buy urgent things locally and save the planned stuff for online.
- Group the items you want into one order to reach the free shipping minimum.
- Do a final check of tax, shipping and coupons at checkout.
- Read reviews and ratings, and start with brands you know.
- Patch test any new product once it arrives, before using it properly.
How it compared to shopping in Vancouver
Speaking only from my own experience, compared to picking up single items at shops in Vancouver, ordering several items online gave me more choice, and when I planned my cart carefully, the prices were pretty good too. That said, that was my experience at the time, and prices shift with exchange rates, sales and timing, so I can’t promise it’s the same today. My approach was to buy what I needed right away at local stores and order what I could plan ahead for online. That way you get the best of both.
FAQ
Q. It’s my first order. Will shipping take forever? As a rough estimate, allow around 1 to 2 weeks for delivery, but keep in mind this isn’t guaranteed. Item preparation time can add to the wait, and delivery may take longer during major sales or customs delays. It’s best to order products you can plan ahead for rather than items you need right away, and to check the estimated delivery time at checkout before placing your order.
Q. I’m worried about getting hit with huge customs fees. YesStyle charges PST at checkout for some parts of Canada, but not all import taxes and duties are handled at checkout. Depending on where you live, how much you spend and what you buy, extra charges could come up on delivery. Check the final total at checkout and keep the possibility of extra fees in mind.
Q. Can I use coupons and points together? Discount coupons and reward codes can sometimes be used together, depending on the conditions. Not every coupon stacks, so check the actual discount on the checkout page.
Keeping your first order simple
Ordering from YesStyle in Canada for the first time really comes down to three things: allow enough time for shipping, group planned purchases to reach the free shipping minimum, and check taxes and coupons at checkout. Follow these steps, and your first order should be much easier to manage. And if you split things up the way I did, urgent stuff from local shops and planned stuff online, you’ll get a lot more out of sale season.