South Korea cosmetics exports: January 2026
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In January 2026, South Korea exported $1.02 billion of cosmetics, down 3.9% from December 2025 and up 35.9% from January 2025.
The three largest destinations were the United States ($187.0 million, 18.3%), China ($183.5 million, 17.9%), Japan ($96.3 million, 9.4%).
Compared with January 2025, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$57.3 million), China (+$40.7 million), the United Kingdom (+$20.6 million).
The largest decreases by destination were Czechia (-$7.0 million), Kuwait (-$808,627), Indonesia (-$525,168).
Within the top 10 destinations, the United Kingdom moved from 13th to 8th, the United States moved from 2nd to 1st, China moved from 1st to 2nd compared with January 2025.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs December 2025 | vs January 2025 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $187.0M | 18.3% | +8.9% | +44.2% | 2 |
| 2 | China | $183.5M | 17.9% | +22.4% | +28.5% | 1 |
| 3 | Japan | $96.3M | 9.4% | +5.9% | +9.0% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $61.5M | 6.0% | -16.5% | +2.7% | 4 |
| 5 | Vietnam | $42.2M | 4.1% | -19.6% | +20.0% | 5 |
| 6 | Russia | $34.6M | 3.4% | -13.2% | +17.0% | 6 |
| 7 | Taiwan | $32.2M | 3.1% | -20.8% | +64.4% | 7 |
| 8 | United Kingdom | $32.0M | 3.1% | +17.5% | +180.4% | 13 |
| 9 | Poland | $21.2M | 2.1% | -15.3% | +33.1% | 9 |
| 10 | United Arab Emirates | $19.9M | 1.9% | -43.0% | +59.3% | 11 |
| 11 | Canada | $19.2M | 1.9% | -10.6% | +65.2% | 12 |
| 12 | Thailand | $18.1M | 1.8% | -28.8% | +0.1% | 8 |
| 13 | Netherlands | $16.4M | 1.6% | -4.0% | +214.3% | 24 |
| 14 | Australia | $15.7M | 1.5% | -8.9% | +47.3% | 14 |
| 15 | Malaysia | $15.6M | 1.5% | -17.8% | +46.5% | 15 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with January 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | January 2026 | January 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $187.0M | $129.6M | +$57.3M | +44.2% |
| China | $183.5M | $142.8M | +$40.7M | +28.5% |
| United Kingdom | $32.0M | $11.4M | +$20.6M | +180.4% |
| Taiwan | $32.2M | $19.6M | +$12.6M | +64.4% |
| Netherlands | $16.4M | $5.2M | +$11.2M | +214.3% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with January 2025, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$212.3 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$27.3 million), Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$15.4 million).
The largest decreases by product were Lip make-up preparations (HS 3304.10) (-$6.9 million), Manicure and pedicure preparations (HS 3304.30) (-$939,663), Hair lacquers (HS 3305.30) (-$139,267).
Imports in January 2026 were $146.6 million (up 21.3% from January 2025), leaving a surplus of $876.6 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.