South Korea cosmetics exports: January 2025
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In January 2025, South Korea exported $752.7 million of cosmetics, down 13.9% from December 2024 and down 4.9% from January 2024.
The three largest destinations were China ($142.8 million, 19.0%), the United States ($129.6 million, 17.2%), Japan ($88.4 million, 11.7%).
Compared with January 2024, the largest increases in export value by destination were Hong Kong (+$19.5 million), Japan (+$17.2 million), Czechia (+$9.3 million).
The largest decreases by destination were China (-$100.1 million), Vietnam (-$15.8 million), Spain (-$4.5 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, Poland moved from 20th to 9th, Hong Kong moved from 5th to 4th, Vietnam moved from 4th to 5th compared with January 2024.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs December 2024 | vs January 2024 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | $142.8M | 19.0% | -21.3% | -41.2% | 1 |
| 2 | United States | $129.6M | 17.2% | -18.2% | +7.6% | 2 |
| 3 | Japan | $88.4M | 11.7% | +9.4% | +24.2% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $59.9M | 8.0% | -18.2% | +48.1% | 5 |
| 5 | Vietnam | $35.2M | 4.7% | -30.9% | -31.1% | 4 |
| 6 | Russia | $29.6M | 3.9% | -18.2% | +4.6% | 6 |
| 7 | Taiwan | $19.6M | 2.6% | -27.3% | -14.6% | 7 |
| 8 | Thailand | $18.1M | 2.4% | -0.7% | +4.5% | 8 |
| 9 | Poland | $15.9M | 2.1% | +8.2% | +133.8% | 20 |
| 10 | Indonesia | $14.0M | 1.9% | +20.5% | -18.2% | 9 |
| 11 | United Arab Emirates | $12.5M | 1.7% | -28.0% | +43.7% | 13 |
| 12 | Canada | $11.6M | 1.5% | -3.6% | +46.0% | 14 |
| 13 | United Kingdom | $11.4M | 1.5% | -19.5% | +11.0% | 12 |
| 14 | Australia | $10.7M | 1.4% | +7.6% | +40.7% | 18 |
| 15 | Malaysia | $10.7M | 1.4% | -27.0% | -6.3% | 11 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with January 2024, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | January 2025 | January 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | $59.9M | $40.4M | +$19.5M | +48.1% |
| Japan | $88.4M | $71.1M | +$17.2M | +24.2% |
| Czechia | $10.5M | $1.1M | +$9.3M | +844.3% |
| United States | $129.6M | $120.5M | +$9.2M | +7.6% |
| Poland | $15.9M | $6.8M | +$9.1M | +133.8% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with January 2024, the largest increases in export value by product were Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$16.6 million), Lip make-up preparations (HS 3304.10) (+$11.9 million), Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$3.7 million).
The largest decreases by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (-$65.8 million), Eye make-up preparations (HS 3304.20) (-$3.1 million), Powders for make-up or skin care, whether or not compressed (HS 3304.91) (-$2.8 million).
Imports in January 2025 were $120.8 million (down 8.9% from January 2024), leaving a surplus of $631.9 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.