South Korea cosmetics exports: September 2025
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In September 2025, South Korea exported $1.15 billion of cosmetics, up 32.9% from August 2025 and up 25.9% from September 2024.
The three largest destinations were the United States ($251.9 million, 22.0%), China ($208.6 million, 18.2%), Japan ($105.9 million, 9.2%).
Compared with September 2024, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$74.6 million), Hong Kong (+$16.8 million), Vietnam (+$12.8 million).
The largest decreases by destination were China (-$41.2 million), Myanmar (-$2.3 million), Libya (-$401,996).
Within the top 10 destinations, Indonesia moved from 15th to 10th, the United States moved from 2nd to 1st, China moved from 1st to 2nd compared with September 2024.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs August 2025 | vs September 2024 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $251.9M | 22.0% | +37.2% | +42.1% | 2 |
| 2 | China | $208.6M | 18.2% | +41.7% | -16.5% | 1 |
| 3 | Japan | $105.9M | 9.2% | +41.8% | +11.2% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $61.5M | 5.4% | +11.8% | +37.6% | 4 |
| 5 | Vietnam | $47.9M | 4.2% | +40.3% | +36.3% | 5 |
| 6 | Russia | $42.7M | 3.7% | +16.2% | +29.1% | 6 |
| 7 | Taiwan | $33.3M | 2.9% | +36.7% | +36.2% | 7 |
| 8 | United Arab Emirates | $28.5M | 2.5% | +53.3% | +64.4% | 9 |
| 9 | United Kingdom | $22.5M | 2.0% | +19.5% | +61.5% | 10 |
| 10 | Indonesia | $21.8M | 1.9% | +73.1% | +104.9% | 15 |
| 11 | Canada | $21.1M | 1.8% | +95.7% | +128.4% | 16 |
| 12 | Thailand | $21.0M | 1.8% | +24.9% | +11.1% | 8 |
| 13 | Australia | $18.4M | 1.6% | +35.8% | +62.1% | 13 |
| 14 | Poland | $17.8M | 1.6% | +29.9% | +65.0% | 14 |
| 15 | Malaysia | $15.7M | 1.4% | +33.2% | +31.1% | 12 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with September 2024, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | September 2025 | September 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $251.9M | $177.3M | +$74.6M | +42.1% |
| Hong Kong | $61.5M | $44.7M | +$16.8M | +37.6% |
| Vietnam | $47.9M | $35.1M | +$12.8M | +36.3% |
| Canada | $21.1M | $9.2M | +$11.9M | +128.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $28.5M | $17.4M | +$11.2M | +64.4% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with September 2024, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$150.0 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$31.2 million), Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$22.3 million).
The largest decreases by product were Toilet soap, including medicated soap (HS 3401.11) (-$494,816), Shaving preparations (HS 3307.10) (-$59,233).
Imports in September 2025 were $159.3 million (up 18.5% from September 2024), leaving a surplus of $986.7 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.