South Korea cosmetics exports: February 2025
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In February 2025, South Korea exported $885.1 million of cosmetics, up 17.6% from January 2025 and up 23.5% from February 2024.
The three largest destinations were China ($176.7 million, 20.0%), the United States ($145.9 million, 16.5%), Japan ($90.7 million, 10.3%).
Compared with February 2024, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$23.3 million), Hong Kong (+$21.0 million), Poland (+$12.2 million).
The largest decreases by destination were Indonesia (-$2.8 million), Thailand (-$1.3 million), Norway (-$598,836).
Within the top 10 destinations, Poland moved from 18th to 9th, the United Arab Emirates moved from 13th to 8th, Thailand moved from 7th to 10th compared with February 2024.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs January 2025 | vs February 2024 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | $176.7M | 20.0% | +23.7% | +2.6% | 1 |
| 2 | United States | $145.9M | 16.5% | +12.6% | +19.0% | 2 |
| 3 | Japan | $90.7M | 10.3% | +2.7% | +9.2% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $58.7M | 6.6% | -1.9% | +55.8% | 5 |
| 5 | Vietnam | $45.5M | 5.1% | +29.4% | +1.0% | 4 |
| 6 | Russia | $29.1M | 3.3% | -1.8% | +14.3% | 6 |
| 7 | Taiwan | $28.3M | 3.2% | +44.4% | +54.3% | 8 |
| 8 | United Arab Emirates | $18.9M | 2.1% | +51.1% | +98.2% | 13 |
| 9 | Poland | $18.7M | 2.1% | +17.6% | +188.4% | 18 |
| 10 | Thailand | $18.6M | 2.1% | +3.1% | -6.6% | 7 |
| 11 | United Kingdom | $13.7M | 1.5% | +19.8% | +36.2% | 11 |
| 12 | France | $13.1M | 1.5% | +45.6% | +167.1% | 27 |
| 13 | Indonesia | $12.9M | 1.5% | -8.2% | -18.1% | 9 |
| 14 | Canada | $12.4M | 1.4% | +6.9% | +59.5% | 16 |
| 15 | Malaysia | $12.3M | 1.4% | +15.6% | +22.9% | 12 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with February 2024, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | February 2025 | February 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $145.9M | $122.6M | +$23.3M | +19.0% |
| Hong Kong | $58.7M | $37.7M | +$21.0M | +55.8% |
| Poland | $18.7M | $6.5M | +$12.2M | +188.4% |
| Taiwan | $28.3M | $18.3M | +$10.0M | +54.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $18.9M | $9.5M | +$9.4M | +98.2% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with February 2024, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$116.8 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$20.0 million), Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$15.7 million).
The largest decreases by product were Shampoos (HS 3305.10) (-$2.7 million), Eye make-up preparations (HS 3304.20) (-$2.6 million), Toilet soap, including medicated soap (HS 3401.11) (-$1.8 million).
Imports in February 2025 were $131.2 million (up 7.1% from February 2024), leaving a surplus of $753.9 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.