South Korea cosmetics exports: October 2025
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In October 2025, South Korea exported $916.3 million of cosmetics, down 20.0% from September 2025 and down 11.3% from October 2024.
The three largest destinations were the United States ($188.9 million, 20.6%), China ($149.6 million, 16.3%), Japan ($88.2 million, 9.6%).
Compared with October 2024, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$24.6 million), Poland (+$13.7 million), the United Kingdom (+$8.9 million).
The largest decreases by destination were China (-$190.0 million), Japan (-$19.6 million), Vietnam (-$10.7 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, Poland moved from 22nd to 10th, the United Arab Emirates moved from 9th to 7th, the United States moved from 2nd to 1st compared with October 2024.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs September 2025 | vs October 2024 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $188.9M | 20.6% | -25.0% | +15.0% | 2 |
| 2 | China | $149.6M | 16.3% | -28.3% | -55.9% | 1 |
| 3 | Japan | $88.2M | 9.6% | -16.7% | -18.2% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $57.0M | 6.2% | -7.3% | +0.8% | 4 |
| 5 | Vietnam | $34.9M | 3.8% | -27.1% | -23.4% | 5 |
| 6 | Russia | $33.7M | 3.7% | -20.9% | -4.1% | 6 |
| 7 | United Arab Emirates | $25.7M | 2.8% | -9.9% | +47.3% | 9 |
| 8 | Taiwan | $25.2M | 2.8% | -24.3% | -5.4% | 7 |
| 9 | Thailand | $21.5M | 2.3% | +2.2% | +16.3% | 8 |
| 10 | Poland | $21.1M | 2.3% | +18.1% | +187.5% | 22 |
| 11 | United Kingdom | $20.8M | 2.3% | -7.6% | +75.1% | 12 |
| 12 | Canada | $15.6M | 1.7% | -26.1% | +56.8% | 14 |
| 13 | Australia | $13.6M | 1.5% | -26.1% | +42.7% | 15 |
| 14 | Netherlands | $13.1M | 1.4% | +20.5% | +65.4% | 17 |
| 15 | Malaysia | $12.3M | 1.3% | -21.8% | -14.0% | 10 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with October 2024, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | October 2025 | October 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $188.9M | $164.3M | +$24.6M | +15.0% |
| Poland | $21.1M | $7.3M | +$13.7M | +187.5% |
| United Kingdom | $20.8M | $11.9M | +$8.9M | +75.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $25.7M | $17.5M | +$8.3M | +47.3% |
| Canada | $15.6M | $9.9M | +$5.6M | +56.8% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with October 2024, the largest increases in export value by product were Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$8.5 million), Lip make-up preparations (HS 3304.10) (+$2.4 million), Eye make-up preparations (HS 3304.20) (+$2.2 million).
The largest decreases by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (-$125.7 million), Shampoos (HS 3305.10) (-$2.6 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (-$2.2 million).
Imports in October 2025 were $142.9 million (up 3.7% from October 2024), leaving a surplus of $773.4 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.