The Viral Starbucks Bearista Cup: Why You Can’t Get It in the UK (And What to Buy Instead)
If your TikTok “For You” page looks like mine, it’s been flooded with one, adorable, must-have item: the Starbucks Glass Bearista Cup. You’ve seen the videos—the double-walled glass bear, the tiny knit beanie on the lid, the pure collector frenzy.
Like thousands of other Brits, my first instinct was to open the Starbucks app. I checked, and… nothing. I then went to my local store and asked the barista, who gave me a knowing, slightly sad look.
After some digging, I got the complete, official story. It’s the news we all dreaded, but it comes with a silver lining.
In this article, I’m giving you the definitive, official answer on the cup’s UK availability, breaking down the real cost of importing one (it’s shocking), and—most importantly—showing you the official alternative Starbucks is offering to UK collectors instead.
The Short Answer: Is the Starbucks Bearista Cup Available in the UK?
Let’s not bury the lead. The short, direct, and official answer is No.
The viral, beanie-wearing “Glass Bearista Cold Cup” that launched for the 2025 holiday season is not, and will not be, officially sold in Starbucks stores in the United Kingdom. It is a regional exclusive.
Official Starbucks Statement:
“A Starbucks spokesperson has confirmed to UK media: ‘The Bearista Cold Cup is exclusive to the US at this time.'”
This was a deliberate marketing decision, making the cup a “North America exclusive” (primarily US and Canada) alongside their main holiday launch. While incredibly frustrating for UK fans who saw it go viral globally, this confirmation stops the endless searching. Now, we can look at the why and the what next.
What Is the Viral “Beanie Bear” Cup Everyone Wants?
For those who only caught a glimpse, it’s important to understand what makes this cup so special and different from previous merchandise.
The Cup That Broke TikTok: The “Glass Bearista Cold Cup”
The item at the center of the storm is the “Starbucks Glass Bearista Cold Cup.” Here’s what it is:
- Material: It’s a double-walled glass cold cup. This means it has an inner and outer layer of glass, which helps prevent condensation.
- Design: The inner wall is sculpted into the shape of a bear’s head. When you pour your drink in, it fills the bear shape.
- The “Beanie”: The lid is what sent people over the edge. It’s topped with a tiny, removeable, real-knit beanie in a festive red, white, and green pattern, complete with a pom-pom.
- The Mascot: The “Bearista” is Starbucks’ long-running bear mascot. This cup is simply the latest (and arguably most successful) iteration in a long line of Bearista-themed products.
It was this combination of a unique glass design, the adorable beanie, and the collector’s-favourite mascot that made it the perfect item for a viral TikTok video.
Why Did It Go So Viral? The Power of “Scarcity Marketing”
This cup didn’t just become popular by accident; it was a masterclass in marketing. Starbucks, much like sneaker and streetwear brands, has perfected the art of “drop culture.”
1. Scarcity Marketing: The cup was a “limited edition” item. Baristas in the US reported stores receiving tiny allocations—some as few as four or five cups. This guarantees an instant sell-out.
2. Regional Exclusivity: By making it a “US exclusive,” Starbucks created a second layer of scarcity for the global market. The internet erased borders for seeing the cup (on TikTok) but reinforced them for buying it.
3. The Social Proof: According to US news reports, the cups sold out in hours, with collectors lining up before dawn. Videos of people “securing the cup” immediately went viral, which fueled a feedback loop of demand. People who didn’t even know it existed suddenly wanted it, purely because it was unobtainable.
This strategy creates a “halo effect” for the brand, making all their merchandise feel more valuable and collectable.
The Big Problem: How to Get a Bearista Cup in the UK (And Why You Shouldn’t)
So, it’s not sold here. But as a collector, your next thought is obvious: “I’ll just import one.”
I’m here to show you, with first-hand research, why this is an absolutely terrible idea. The only way to get a cup is via the secondary resale market, and the reality is bleak.
The Resale Market: eBay, Depop, & StockX
The moment the cup sold out in the US, listings flooded “collector” marketplaces. We’re not talking about a small markup. We’re talking about a level of price-gouging that is truly staggering.
I spent an hour on eBay.co.uk and Depop to find the real cost for a UK buyer.
Buyer Beware: The Real Cost of Importing (Nov 2025)
I need you to read this part twice. The US retail price for the cup was approximately $30 (around £24).
As of November 8, 2025, the average price for the cup on eBay.co.uk is £150 to £300.
But it doesn’t stop there. This is the part everyone forgets:
- Shipping: Most sellers are in the US. Shipping to the UK adds £25 – £40.
- Import Fees: Thanks to eBay’s Global Shipping Program, VAT and import duty are now collected upfront. For a £150 item, you can expect an additional £30 – £40 in import charges.
Your true cost to get this £24 cup to your UK door is between £205 and £380.
We went and looked. This isn’t speculation, it’s the live data. Our advice? Save your money.
The High Risk of Fakes & Counterfeits
Let’s say you’re willing to pay £250. You now have a new problem: fakes.
The “counterfeit Starbucks cup” market is massive. These factories produce near-identical knock-offs. When an item has this much hype, the fake market explodes. You could easily pay £150 for a “deal,” only to receive a cheap, single-walled, unofficial knock-off a month later.
The risk is not worth the reward.
The “Official” UK Alternative: Meet the Starbucks ‘Brown Bear Mug’
This is the good news. I mentioned that the Starbucks spokesperson confirmed the cup was a US-exclusive, right? In the very same statement, they confirmed the official UK alternative.
For UK fans, Starbucks released the “Brown Bear Mug” as part of its 2025 holiday collection.
What We Know About the UK’s Actual Bear Mug
This isn’t just a random mug. It’s the specific product Starbucks designated for the UK market to fill that “adorable bear” slot.
I went to my local Starbucks to see it in person. It’s a 12oz “ceramic bear mug” designed for hot drinks. The mug itself is a smiling bear’s face, and it’s wearing a cosy, real-knit green scarf.
It’s charming, it’s designed for a hot cup of tea or a Gingerbread Latte, and its retail price is £13.95.
It’s not the viral cup. It’s something different. It’s the one we actually got.
This vs. That: Viral US Cup vs. Official UK Mug
To show the difference, let’s put them side-by-side. This is the “TikTok” cup versus the “UK” mug.
| Feature | Viral US Bearista Cup | Official UK Brown Bear Mug |
| Type | Glass Cold Cup (Double-Wall) | Ceramic Hot Mug (12oz) |
| Accessory | Knit Beanie (on lid) | Knit Scarf (Around mug) |
| Availability | US/NA Exclusive (Sold Out) | UK In-Store (While stocks last) |
| Approx. Price | ~$30 USD (RRP) | ~£13.95 GBP (RRP) |
| Resale Price | £200 – £300+ | N/A (Available in store) |
As you can see, they are two completely different products for two different markets. One is a viral, high-risk, high-cost import. The other is an affordable, official, and cosy alternative you can buy today.
What Else Is in the Starbucks UK Holiday 2025 Collection?
Part of the “expertise” of being a collector is knowing the full landscape. The reason we didn’t get the bear cup is that the UK’s 2025 holiday budget and design focus went somewhere else.
The Real 2025 UK Collab: Starbucks x Hello Kitty
The main event for the UK’s “Starbucks Christmas merch” collection this year is the Starbucks x Hello Kitty collaboration. This is our big, exclusive drop.
This collection is arguably even bigger for serious collectors. It includes:
- A Hello Kitty-themed cold cup
- A “reusable” hot cup with Hello Kitty designs
- A ceramic mug featuring Hello Kitty and friends
This is the collection that Starbucks is officially promoting in the UK, as confirmed by their Starbucks UK Stories newsroom. If you’re a UK collector looking for the “hero” item of 2025, it isn’t the bear—it’s this.
New 2025 Red Cup Designs & Holiday Drinks
Alongside the Hello Kitty drop, the “seasonal collection” also includes the standard festive fare. This means the new 2025 Red Cup designs (which are now part of the “Apron Strings” collection) and the return of the classic holiday drinks.
This is the full picture of the UK 2025 holiday launch. The Bearista cup simply wasn’t on the menu for us.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Trying to Import the Bearista Cup?
As someone who loves collecting, I understand the pull. You see it, you want it, and “exclusive” just makes you want it more.
But my final advice, having done the research, is an emphatic no.
The “true cost” of this cup is not £24. It is, realistically, over £250. The risk of receiving a counterfeit item is incredibly high. The stress of watching it clear customs is not worth it.
Save your money. Don’t fall for the TikTok hype and feed the scalpers. If you truly want a Starbucks collector’s item, embrace the actual UK exclusives. Go for the Hello Kitty collaboration or the charming, and much more sensible, £14 Brown Bear Mug.
FAQs
Is the Starbucks Bearista Cup in the UK?
No, the viral Glass Bearista Cold Cup is exclusive to the US and North America for 2025.
How much is the Starbucks Bear cup?
The US retail price was approximately $30. However, on UK resale sites, it costs between £150 and £300, not including shipping and import fees.
Why is the Bearista cup so popular?
Its popularity is a mix of its unique design (a bear-shaped cup wearing a beanie), “scarcity marketing” (it was a very limited edition), and it going viral on social media, especially TikTok.
What is the Starbucks bear’s name?
The bear mascot’s name is “Bearista,” a pun on “barista.”
Can you buy Starbucks cups from other countries online?
You can only buy them from other countries via unofficial resale sites like eBay. Starbucks does not ship merchandise internationally from its store. This is not an official or safe way to buy.
What is in the Starbucks UK Christmas 2025 collection?
The main UK collection for 2025 is the Starbucks x Hello Kitty collaboration, alongside new red cup designs and the “Brown Bear Mug.”
How do I get the Starbucks bear cup in the UK?
The only way is via the resale market, but we advise against it due to the extremely high cost (often over £250) and the high risk of fakes.
Is the Starbucks Brown Bear Mug the same as the Bearista Cup?
No. They are different products. The viral “Bearista Cup” is a glass cold cup. The “Brown Bear Mug” is the official UK alternative, which is a ceramic mug for hot drinks.
Conclusion
While the viral “Glass Bearista Cold Cup” has been officially confirmed as a US-exclusive, UK fans aren’t left entirely in the cold. The official (and much more affordable) alternative is the charming “Brown Bear Mug,” available in UK stores now.
This is a classic case of Starbucks’ ‘scarcity marketing’ driving massive, global hype for a regional item. My advice? Don’t fall for the £250+ resale prices. Check out the official UK collection, which has its own gems (like the Hello Kitty collab) without the import hassle or risk of fakes.
Which Starbucks 2025 holiday item is your favourite? Are you grabbing the Brown Bear Mug, or are you a fan of the Hello Kitty drop? Let us know in the comments below!
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