South Korea cosmetics exports: March 2025
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In March 2025, South Korea exported $939.0 million of cosmetics, up 6.1% from February 2025 and up 21.0% from March 2024.
The three largest destinations were China ($209.4 million, 22.3%), the United States ($161.9 million, 17.2%), Japan ($91.9 million, 9.8%).
Compared with March 2024, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$28.4 million), China (+$17.1 million), Poland (+$14.7 million).
The largest decreases by destination were Vietnam (-$4.2 million), Taiwan (-$1.1 million), Malaysia (-$930,484).
Within the top 10 destinations, Poland moved from 11th to 7th, Taiwan moved from 7th to 9th, Thailand moved from 8th to 10th compared with March 2024.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs February 2025 | vs March 2024 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | $209.4M | 22.3% | +18.5% | +8.9% | 1 |
| 2 | United States | $161.9M | 17.2% | +11.0% | +21.3% | 2 |
| 3 | Japan | $91.9M | 9.8% | +1.3% | +8.5% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $51.9M | 5.5% | -11.5% | +18.1% | 5 |
| 5 | Vietnam | $43.4M | 4.6% | -4.8% | -8.8% | 4 |
| 6 | Russia | $36.0M | 3.8% | +23.8% | +34.5% | 6 |
| 7 | Poland | $27.0M | 2.9% | +44.4% | +118.7% | 11 |
| 8 | United Arab Emirates | $25.4M | 2.7% | +34.2% | +99.0% | 9 |
| 9 | Taiwan | $23.2M | 2.5% | -18.0% | -4.4% | 7 |
| 10 | Thailand | $21.1M | 2.2% | +13.3% | +11.5% | 8 |
| 11 | United Kingdom | $14.3M | 1.5% | +4.5% | +28.1% | 13 |
| 12 | Canada | $13.8M | 1.5% | +11.3% | +35.7% | 14 |
| 13 | France | $12.5M | 1.3% | -4.6% | +201.4% | 27 |
| 14 | Singapore | $11.9M | 1.3% | +2.6% | +2.6% | 12 |
| 15 | Australia | $11.5M | 1.2% | +4.9% | +36.0% | 16 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with March 2024, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | March 2025 | March 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $161.9M | $133.5M | +$28.4M | +21.3% |
| China | $209.4M | $192.2M | +$17.1M | +8.9% |
| Poland | $27.0M | $12.4M | +$14.7M | +118.7% |
| United Arab Emirates | $25.4M | $12.7M | +$12.6M | +99.0% |
| Russia | $36.0M | $26.8M | +$9.2M | +34.5% |
| Country | March 2025 | March 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $43.4M | $47.5M | -$4.2M | -8.8% |
| Taiwan | $23.2M | $24.3M | -$1.1M | -4.4% |
| Malaysia | $11.4M | $12.4M | -$930K | -7.5% |
| Tajikistan | $12K | $382K | -$370K | -96.9% |
| Armenia | $90K | $453K | -$363K | -80.1% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with March 2024, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$130.0 million), Lip make-up preparations (HS 3304.10) (+$17.2 million), Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$11.5 million).
The largest decreases by product were Toilet soap, including medicated soap (HS 3401.11) (-$5.5 million), Powders for make-up or skin care, whether or not compressed (HS 3304.91) (-$4.1 million), Eye make-up preparations (HS 3304.20) (-$1.9 million).
Imports in March 2025 were $148.6 million (up 4.0% from March 2024), leaving a surplus of $790.4 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.