U.S. Market Entry for Korean Brands
Launch your Korean brand in America with proven playbooks, from FDA compliance to influencer partnerships. We recommend at least a 3-year commitment for sustainable success in the U.S. market.
18 months
Average to profitability
90 days
From contract to first sale
15+
Korean brands launched
Breaking Into the U.S. Market
The U.S. represents the world's largest consumer market, but Korean brands face unique challenges: cultural differences, regulatory requirements, and established competition. Success typically takes 18+ months to reach profitability, which is why we recommend a minimum 3-year commitment.
Our approach combines deep understanding of Korean business culture with proven U.S. market strategies. We've helped 15+ Korean beauty, food, and lifestyle brands build sustainable businesses over multi-year timelines, focusing on long-term market establishment rather than quick wins.
Common Market Entry Challenges
Who This Is For
- ✓Korean beauty brands ready for U.S. expansion
- ✓K-food companies targeting American consumers
- ✓Fashion brands seeking DTC presence
- ✓Lifestyle products with Korean heritage
- ✓Brands with $1M+ revenue in Korea
- ✓Companies seeking Amazon FBA launch
- ✓Brands needing influencer partnerships
- ✓Products requiring FDA compliance
Problems we solve
- ✗Unknown regulatory requirements
- ✗No U.S. market connections
- ✗Language and cultural barriers
- ✗Complex logistics setup
- ✗High customer acquisition costs
- ✗Poor Amazon rankings
- ✗Ineffective marketing messages
- ✗Expensive mistakes and delays
Success Patterns
K-Beauty Launch
Starting Point:
- • Successful in Korea
- • No U.S. presence
- • Ready for expansion
Our Solution:
- • FDA registration
- • Sephora pitch deck
- • Influencer campaigns
- • Amazon optimization
Results:
$2.5M first-year revenue
K-Food Entry
Starting Point:
- • Popular Korean snacks
- • FDA concerns
- • No distribution
Our Solution:
- • Import compliance
- • Whole Foods placement
- • H Mart partnership
- • DTC website
Results:
500 stores in 6 months
Fashion DTC
Starting Point:
- • Seoul fashion brand
- • Instagram following
- • No U.S. logistics
Our Solution:
- • Shopify Plus setup
- • 3PL partnerships
- • Influencer collabs
- • Paid social ads
Results:
10K customers year one
Complete Market Entry Package
90-Day Launch Timeline
Discovery & Strategy
Market research, competitor analysis, regulatory review, and go-to-market strategy development.
Compliance & Setup
FDA registration, customs documentation, entity formation, and banking setup.
Platform Development
Amazon seller account, Shopify store build, product listings, and photography.
Inventory & Logistics
3PL selection, inventory planning, shipping setup, and fulfillment testing.
Marketing Preparation
Influencer outreach, content creation, ad campaigns, and PR strategy.
Soft Launch
Beta testing with select customers, gathering feedback, and optimization.
Full Launch
Public launch, influencer activations, paid media campaigns, and sales acceleration.
Investment Options
Choose the package that matches your growth ambitions and market entry timeline.
Foundation
Perfect for testing the U.S. market
- ✓Market entry strategy
- ✓Amazon FBA setup
- ✓Basic compliance docs
- ✓Product localization
- ✓30-day support
Growth
Full market entry with marketing
- ✓Everything in Foundation
- ✓Shopify store development
- ✓Influencer partnerships
- ✓Paid media campaigns
- ✓Logistics setup
- ✓90-day support
Enterprise
Multi-channel expansion strategy
- ✓Everything in Growth
- ✓Retail partnerships
- ✓PR campaigns
- ✓Dedicated team
- ✓Quarterly reviews
- ✓Ongoing optimization
Additional services available: Retail placement, trade show support, investor introductions
Unit Economics Calculator
Understand your potential profitability in the U.S. market
Your Product Details
Projected P&L
Recommendation: Consider raising prices or reducing costs to hit target margin.
Recent Success Stories
K-Beauty Brand
Skincare line from Seoul
Monthly Revenue Growth
$2.5M
Year 1 Revenue
15K
Instagram Followers
K-Food Import
Snacks and beverages
Store Placement Growth
500
Retail Stores
4.8
Amazon Rating
Fashion Brand
Contemporary streetwear
Customer Acquisition
10K
DTC Customers
$125
Average Order
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to launch in the U.S.?
Our standard timeline is 90 days from contract to first sale. This includes all compliance, platform setup, and initial marketing. Some clients with simpler requirements can launch in 60 days.
What compliance requirements do Korean brands face?
Requirements vary by product category. Beauty products need FDA registration, food requires FDA facility registration and nutritional labeling, and all products need proper customs documentation. We handle all compliance as part of our service.
Should we start with Amazon or our own website?
We recommend launching both simultaneously. Amazon provides immediate access to millions of customers, while your DTC site builds brand equity and customer relationships. Our data shows brands using both channels grow 3x faster.
How much inventory should we send initially?
We typically recommend 3-6 months of inventory based on conservative projections. This balances cash flow with avoiding stockouts. We help calculate optimal inventory levels based on your specific situation.
Can you help with influencer partnerships?
Yes, we have relationships with 500+ influencers in beauty, food, and lifestyle niches. We handle outreach, negotiation, content approval, and performance tracking. Most brands see positive ROI within 60 days.
What if we already have some U.S. presence?
We customize our approach based on your current status. Whether you need help scaling existing operations or fixing specific problems, we can create a tailored plan that builds on what you've already accomplished.
Ready to conquer the U.S. market?
Join 15+ Korean brands that have successfully launched in America with our proven playbook.