South Korea cosmetics exports: May 2025
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In May 2025, South Korea exported $951.2 million of cosmetics, down 7.6% from April 2025 and up 8.3% from May 2024.
The three largest destinations were the United States ($204.3 million, 21.5%), China ($180.2 million, 18.9%), Japan ($89.2 million, 9.4%).
Compared with May 2024, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$35.4 million), Poland (+$13.6 million), Japan (+$9.4 million).
The largest decreases by destination were China (-$57.2 million), Vietnam (-$9.4 million), Kyrgyzstan (-$2.0 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, Poland moved from 14th to 8th, Thailand moved from 8th to 10th, the United States moved from 2nd to 1st compared with May 2024.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs April 2025 | vs May 2024 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $204.3M | 21.5% | +6.6% | +21.0% | 2 |
| 2 | China | $180.2M | 18.9% | -20.9% | -24.1% | 1 |
| 3 | Japan | $89.2M | 9.4% | -1.5% | +11.8% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $52.2M | 5.5% | -21.2% | +15.8% | 4 |
| 5 | Russia | $39.2M | 4.1% | -9.0% | +4.3% | 6 |
| 6 | Vietnam | $33.7M | 3.5% | -11.5% | -21.8% | 5 |
| 7 | Taiwan | $28.2M | 3.0% | -6.8% | +24.6% | 7 |
| 8 | Poland | $24.2M | 2.5% | -5.8% | +127.3% | 14 |
| 9 | United Arab Emirates | $22.2M | 2.3% | +16.7% | +68.8% | 9 |
| 10 | Thailand | $20.6M | 2.2% | -5.4% | +10.7% | 8 |
| 11 | United Kingdom | $19.1M | 2.0% | +6.4% | +71.4% | 13 |
| 12 | Canada | $15.0M | 1.6% | -0.9% | +22.9% | 12 |
| 13 | Malaysia | $12.8M | 1.3% | -12.3% | +2.0% | 10 |
| 14 | Australia | $12.1M | 1.3% | +15.0% | +32.1% | 16 |
| 15 | Singapore | $12.0M | 1.3% | -9.7% | -3.4% | 11 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with May 2024, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | May 2025 | May 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $204.3M | $168.8M | +$35.4M | +21.0% |
| Poland | $24.2M | $10.7M | +$13.6M | +127.3% |
| Japan | $89.2M | $79.8M | +$9.4M | +11.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $22.2M | $13.2M | +$9.1M | +68.8% |
| United Kingdom | $19.1M | $11.2M | +$8.0M | +71.4% |
| Country | May 2025 | May 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | $180.2M | $237.4M | -$57.2M | -24.1% |
| Vietnam | $33.7M | $43.1M | -$9.4M | -21.8% |
| Kyrgyzstan | $6.9M | $8.8M | -$2.0M | -22.4% |
| Libya | $220K | $695K | -$474K | -68.3% |
| Singapore | $12.0M | $12.4M | -$415K | -3.4% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with May 2024, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$44.6 million), Lip make-up preparations (HS 3304.10) (+$16.7 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$13.0 million).
The largest decreases by product were Powders for make-up or skin care, whether or not compressed (HS 3304.91) (-$3.7 million), Toilet soap, including medicated soap (HS 3401.11) (-$3.2 million), Shampoos (HS 3305.10) (-$1.0 million).
Imports in May 2025 were $135.0 million (down 1.3% from May 2024), leaving a surplus of $816.2 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.