South Korea cosmetics exports: August 2025
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In August 2025, South Korea exported $862.1 million of cosmetics, down 12.0% from July 2025 and up 4.7% from August 2024.
The three largest destinations were the United States ($183.6 million, 21.3%), China ($147.2 million, 17.1%), Japan ($74.7 million, 8.7%).
Compared with August 2024, the largest increases in export value by destination were Hong Kong (+$15.9 million), France (+$8.4 million), Russia (+$6.4 million).
The largest decreases by destination were Japan (-$17.7 million), the United States (-$11.2 million), China (-$9.9 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, the United Kingdom moved from 13th to 8th, Thailand moved from 8th to 10th, Russia moved from 6th to 5th compared with August 2024.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs July 2025 | vs August 2024 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $183.6M | 21.3% | -12.8% | -5.7% | 1 |
| 2 | China | $147.2M | 17.1% | +3.3% | -6.3% | 2 |
| 3 | Japan | $74.7M | 8.7% | -15.8% | -19.2% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $55.0M | 6.4% | +19.2% | +40.7% | 4 |
| 5 | Russia | $36.7M | 4.3% | -16.3% | +21.2% | 6 |
| 6 | Vietnam | $34.1M | 4.0% | -18.5% | -7.8% | 5 |
| 7 | Taiwan | $24.4M | 2.8% | -24.8% | +9.6% | 7 |
| 8 | United Kingdom | $18.9M | 2.2% | +4.7% | +42.2% | 13 |
| 9 | United Arab Emirates | $18.6M | 2.2% | -5.7% | +27.9% | 10 |
| 10 | Thailand | $16.8M | 2.0% | -24.6% | -9.1% | 8 |
| 11 | France | $14.3M | 1.7% | +25.5% | +145.2% | 22 |
| 12 | Poland | $13.7M | 1.6% | -48.3% | +6.5% | 14 |
| 13 | Australia | $13.6M | 1.6% | -19.1% | +68.4% | 17 |
| 14 | Singapore | $13.2M | 1.5% | -2.1% | -11.2% | 9 |
| 15 | Netherlands | $13.0M | 1.5% | -15.0% | -6.0% | 11 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with August 2024, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | August 2025 | August 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | $55.0M | $39.1M | +$15.9M | +40.7% |
| France | $14.3M | $5.8M | +$8.4M | +145.2% |
| Russia | $36.7M | $30.3M | +$6.4M | +21.2% |
| United Kingdom | $18.9M | $13.3M | +$5.6M | +42.2% |
| Australia | $13.6M | $8.0M | +$5.5M | +68.4% |
| Country | August 2025 | August 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | $74.7M | $92.4M | -$17.7M | -19.2% |
| United States | $183.6M | $194.7M | -$11.2M | -5.7% |
| China | $147.2M | $157.0M | -$9.9M | -6.3% |
| Myanmar | $2.2M | $6.8M | -$4.5M | -66.9% |
| Vietnam | $34.1M | $37.0M | -$2.9M | -7.8% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with August 2024, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$12.5 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$6.2 million), Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$5.6 million).
The largest decreases by product were Toilet soap, including medicated soap (HS 3401.11) (-$1.7 million), Powders for make-up or skin care, whether or not compressed (HS 3304.91) (-$1.5 million).
Imports in August 2025 were $143.2 million (up 2.0% from August 2024), leaving a surplus of $719.0 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.