South Korea cosmetics exports: December 2024
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In December 2024, South Korea exported $874.1 million of cosmetics, down 3.6% from November 2024 and up 25.5% from December 2023.
The three largest destinations were China ($181.5 million, 20.8%), the United States ($158.5 million, 18.1%), Japan ($80.7 million, 9.2%).
Compared with December 2023, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$49.9 million), Hong Kong (+$41.3 million), Japan (+$18.5 million).
The largest decreases by destination were China (-$11.6 million), Vietnam (-$7.0 million), the Netherlands (-$2.3 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, Poland moved from 26th to 10th, Hong Kong moved from 6th to 4th, the United Arab Emirates moved from 11th to 9th compared with December 2023.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs November 2024 | vs December 2023 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | $181.5M | 20.8% | -3.7% | -6.0% | 1 |
| 2 | United States | $158.5M | 18.1% | -2.3% | +45.9% | 2 |
| 3 | Japan | $80.7M | 9.2% | -23.0% | +29.8% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $73.2M | 8.4% | +23.5% | +129.6% | 6 |
| 5 | Vietnam | $50.9M | 5.8% | +5.1% | -12.1% | 4 |
| 6 | Russia | $36.2M | 4.1% | -14.7% | +10.4% | 5 |
| 7 | Taiwan | $26.9M | 3.1% | -8.6% | +2.2% | 7 |
| 8 | Thailand | $18.2M | 2.1% | -18.7% | +5.1% | 8 |
| 9 | United Arab Emirates | $17.4M | 2.0% | +1.0% | +68.6% | 11 |
| 10 | Poland | $14.7M | 1.7% | +14.1% | +305.9% | 26 |
| 11 | Malaysia | $14.6M | 1.7% | +10.0% | +25.5% | 10 |
| 12 | United Kingdom | $14.2M | 1.6% | +7.3% | +68.0% | 12 |
| 13 | Canada | $12.0M | 1.4% | +16.5% | +61.7% | 13 |
| 14 | Indonesia | $11.6M | 1.3% | -12.7% | +74.0% | 15 |
| 15 | Singapore | $11.5M | 1.3% | -13.8% | -7.2% | 9 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with December 2023, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | December 2024 | December 2023 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $158.5M | $108.6M | +$49.9M | +45.9% |
| Hong Kong | $73.2M | $31.9M | +$41.3M | +129.6% |
| Japan | $80.7M | $62.2M | +$18.5M | +29.8% |
| Poland | $14.7M | $3.6M | +$11.1M | +305.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $17.4M | $10.3M | +$7.1M | +68.6% |
| Country | December 2024 | December 2023 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | $181.5M | $193.1M | -$11.6M | -6.0% |
| Vietnam | $50.9M | $58.0M | -$7.0M | -12.1% |
| Netherlands | $5.0M | $7.3M | -$2.3M | -31.2% |
| Singapore | $11.5M | $12.4M | -$887K | -7.2% |
| Azerbaijan | $382K | $732K | -$350K | -47.8% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with December 2023, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$128.0 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$18.6 million), Lip make-up preparations (HS 3304.10) (+$18.6 million).
The largest decreases by product were Eye make-up preparations (HS 3304.20) (-$1.8 million), Personal deodorants and antiperspirants (HS 3307.20) (-$498,126), Preparations for permanent waving or straightening (HS 3305.20) (-$195,352).
Imports in December 2024 were $135.1 million (up 3.5% from December 2023), leaving a surplus of $739.0 million for the month.
Exports FOB, imports CIF, US dollars. Percentages are left blank when the earlier month was under $10,000. Figures are as downloaded on 2026-11-13; the source can revise them later. Source: Korea Customs Service, via data.go.kr.