South Korea cosmetics exports: April 2025
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In April 2025, South Korea exported $1.03 billion of cosmetics, up 9.6% from March 2025 and up 20.7% from April 2024.
The three largest destinations were China ($227.9 million, 22.1%), the United States ($191.6 million, 18.6%), Japan ($90.5 million, 8.8%).
Compared with April 2024, the largest increases in export value by destination were China (+$25.2 million), the United States (+$23.6 million), Hong Kong (+$13.9 million).
The largest decreases by destination were Vietnam (-$7.6 million), Germany (-$908,532), Slovenia (-$258,263).
Within the top 10 destinations, Russia moved from 6th to 5th, Vietnam moved from 5th to 6th, Poland moved from 9th to 8th compared with April 2024.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs March 2025 | vs April 2024 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | $227.9M | 22.1% | +8.9% | +12.4% | 1 |
| 2 | United States | $191.6M | 18.6% | +18.4% | +14.0% | 2 |
| 3 | Japan | $90.5M | 8.8% | -1.5% | +7.1% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $66.2M | 6.4% | +27.5% | +26.5% | 4 |
| 5 | Russia | $43.1M | 4.2% | +19.7% | +19.7% | 6 |
| 6 | Vietnam | $38.0M | 3.7% | -12.3% | -16.6% | 5 |
| 7 | Taiwan | $30.3M | 2.9% | +30.6% | +29.9% | 7 |
| 8 | Poland | $25.7M | 2.5% | -4.9% | +83.6% | 9 |
| 9 | Thailand | $21.7M | 2.1% | +2.9% | +8.2% | 8 |
| 10 | United Arab Emirates | $19.1M | 1.9% | -24.9% | +49.0% | 11 |
| 11 | United Kingdom | $18.0M | 1.7% | +26.1% | +38.8% | 10 |
| 12 | Canada | $15.1M | 1.5% | +9.5% | +34.4% | 14 |
| 13 | Malaysia | $14.6M | 1.4% | +27.7% | +19.1% | 13 |
| 14 | Singapore | $13.2M | 1.3% | +11.6% | +5.3% | 12 |
| 15 | Indonesia | $12.5M | 1.2% | +25.6% | +157.0% | 26 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with April 2024, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | April 2025 | April 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | $227.9M | $202.7M | +$25.2M | +12.4% |
| United States | $191.6M | $168.1M | +$23.6M | +14.0% |
| Hong Kong | $66.2M | $52.4M | +$13.9M | +26.5% |
| Poland | $25.7M | $14.0M | +$11.7M | +83.6% |
| Indonesia | $12.5M | $4.9M | +$7.6M | +157.0% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with April 2024, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$121.3 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$26.0 million), Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$16.9 million).
The largest decreases by product were Toilet soap, including medicated soap (HS 3401.11) (-$4.6 million), Powders for make-up or skin care, whether or not compressed (HS 3304.91) (-$2.6 million), Shaving preparations (HS 3307.10) (-$9,137).
Imports in April 2025 were $136.6 million (down 5.9% from April 2024), leaving a surplus of $893.0 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.