Korean shopping has exploded in popularity among Singaporeans — from K-beauty and K-fashion to electronics, snacks, and collectibles. But for buyers who want access to Korea’s domestic online stores, proxy shopping services are essential.
In Singapore, two of the most mentioned names are Buy&Ship and Airfrov, alongside other smaller platforms. But which service truly offers better value, convenience, and security? This guide compares the major players, highlights their pros and cons, and shows why Buy&Ship is the smarter option for Korean proxy shopping.
🔎 What Is a Korean Proxy Service?
A proxy service helps you purchase from Korean websites that don’t ship directly to Singapore. Instead of struggling with local phone numbers or addresses, you simply:
- Register for a proxy account.
- Submit product links.
- Pay in your local currency.
- The proxy purchases on your behalf and ships to Singapore.
This makes it possible to shop Musinsa, Olive Young, Coupang, Gmarket, and countless brand websites that restrict overseas orders.
🛍️ Airfrov: Community-Based Requests
- How It Works: Airfrov matches buyers with travelers. You submit what you want, and a traveler agrees to bring it back.
- Strengths:
- Access to items not sold online.
- Occasional bargains if travelers have spare luggage space.
- Weaknesses:
- Dependent on traveler availability — long waits possible.
- Limited order protection compared to structured logistics.
- Pricing can be unpredictable.
🚚 Buy&Ship: Structured Proxy Shopping with Full Logistics
- How It Works: Buy&Ship provides a full proxy service. You submit product links, pay in SGD, and the company handles purchase, warehouse management, and international delivery.
- Strengths:
- 6% service fee only (no hidden charges).
- Parcel consolidation across multiple Korean stores.
- Transparent billing in SGD.
- Free 7-day returns for eligible unused items.
- Real-time tracking dashboard.
- Weaknesses:
- No handling for prohibited items (e.g., honey, frozen food, fragile liquids).
- Requires basic knowledge of what can and cannot ship.
📦 Other Proxy Services in Singapore
- Buyee (Japan-focused but used by some for Korea)
- More suited for Japanese platforms like Yahoo Auctions.
- High service fees and extra charges for insurance, packing, etc.
- Travel-Group Buyers (unofficial Facebook/Telegram groups)
- Informal, limited trust and accountability.
- Risk of delays or scams with no buyer protection.
- Small Boutique Forwarders
- Often lack consolidation, detailed tracking, or return policies.
- May offer cheaper upfront costs but less security.
📊 Comparison Table: Buy&Ship vs Airfrov vs Others
| Feature | Buy&Ship | Airfrov | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Model | Professional proxy & logistics | Traveler-based community | Mixed (forwarders, groups) |
| Fee Structure | 6% service fee + shipping | Negotiated with traveler | Varies, often unclear |
| Returns | 7-day free return (new, unused) | Case-by-case, limited | Rarely supported |
| Consolidation | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Sometimes |
| Payment Currency | SGD (transparent) | SGD, but rates vary | Mixed |
| Reliability | High (structured system) | Medium (depends on traveler) | Low–Medium |
💡 Why Buy&Ship Is the Smarter Choice
- Consistency: Unlike Airfrov’s traveler model, Buy&Ship runs a structured logistics network.
- Savings: Consolidation means you pay less per item when combining multiple orders.
- Access: Any Korean website is available, not just what a traveler can buy.
- Security: Official platform with transparent policies and buyer protection.
For Singaporeans who shop frequently from Korea, these factors make Buy&Ship a more reliable long-term partner.
🛒 Step-by-Step: Using Buy&Ship for Korean Proxy Shopping
- Sign Up – Register a free Buy&Ship Singapore account.
- Browse Korean Websites – Choose items from Musinsa, Olive Young, Coupang, or brand sites.
- Submit Product Links – Paste into Buy&Ship’s proxy order form.
- Pay in SGD – Service fee is only 6%.
- Buy&Ship Purchases for You – Items delivered to its Korean warehouse.
- Consolidate & Ship – Combine multiple parcels into one shipment.
- Track & Receive – Monitor everything through Buy&Ship’s dashboard until it reaches your home.
🙋 FAQ: Proxy Shopping Services
Q1: Are products authentic if I use Buy&Ship?
Yes — all purchases are made directly from the official Korean sites you provide.
Q2: Can I return items if they don’t fit?
Yes, Buy&Ship offers 7-day free return for eligible, unused items (excluding prohibited categories like food and second-hand products).
Q3: Why is consolidation important?
It allows you to combine multiple orders into one parcel, reducing international shipping costs significantly.
Q4: How is Buy&Ship different from Airfrov?
Buy&Ship provides a structured logistics network, while Airfrov relies on traveler schedules. This makes Buy&Ship more reliable for frequent or high-value orders.
While Airfrov and other proxy services may work for one-off or niche items, they lack the logistical backbone and transparent pricing that frequent Singaporean shoppers need.
For anyone serious about shopping Korean products — whether it’s K-beauty, fashion, or collectibles — Buy&Ship’s proxy shopping service is the best choice. With clear pricing, parcel consolidation, and secure tracking, it delivers both value and peace of mind.