South Korea cosmetics exports: February 2026
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In February 2026, South Korea exported $912.5 million of cosmetics, down 10.8% from January 2026 and up 3.1% from February 2025.
The three largest destinations were the United States ($185.2 million, 20.3%), China ($110.9 million, 12.2%), Japan ($87.8 million, 9.6%).
Compared with February 2025, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$39.3 million), the United Kingdom (+$10.7 million), Germany (+$10.0 million).
The largest decreases by destination were China (-$65.8 million), Vietnam (-$9.4 million), Taiwan (-$7.1 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, the United Kingdom moved from 11th to 8th, Poland moved from 9th to 7th, Taiwan moved from 7th to 9th compared with February 2025.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs January 2026 | vs February 2025 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $185.2M | 20.3% | -0.9% | +26.9% | 2 |
| 2 | China | $110.9M | 12.2% | -39.6% | -37.2% | 1 |
| 3 | Japan | $87.8M | 9.6% | -8.9% | -3.3% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $59.2M | 6.5% | -3.7% | +0.8% | 4 |
| 5 | Russia | $36.2M | 4.0% | +4.6% | +24.5% | 6 |
| 6 | Vietnam | $36.2M | 4.0% | -14.3% | -20.5% | 5 |
| 7 | Poland | $25.6M | 2.8% | +20.7% | +36.6% | 9 |
| 8 | United Kingdom | $24.4M | 2.7% | -23.7% | +78.6% | 11 |
| 9 | Taiwan | $21.2M | 2.3% | -34.2% | -25.1% | 7 |
| 10 | Thailand | $20.6M | 2.3% | +13.6% | +10.3% | 10 |
| 11 | United Arab Emirates | $19.2M | 2.1% | -3.6% | +1.6% | 8 |
| 12 | Germany | $16.3M | 1.8% | +57.5% | +159.4% | 27 |
| 13 | Australia | $16.2M | 1.8% | +3.0% | +47.5% | 17 |
| 14 | Netherlands | $15.7M | 1.7% | -4.7% | +50.4% | 20 |
| 15 | Canada | $14.4M | 1.6% | -25.1% | +15.8% | 14 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with February 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | February 2026 | February 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $185.2M | $145.9M | +$39.3M | +26.9% |
| United Kingdom | $24.4M | $13.7M | +$10.7M | +78.6% |
| Germany | $16.3M | $6.3M | +$10.0M | +159.4% |
| Estonia | $11.6M | $2.5M | +$9.1M | +358.5% |
| Russia | $36.2M | $29.1M | +$7.1M | +24.5% |
| Country | February 2026 | February 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | $110.9M | $176.7M | -$65.8M | -37.2% |
| Vietnam | $36.2M | $45.5M | -$9.4M | -20.5% |
| Taiwan | $21.2M | $28.3M | -$7.1M | -25.1% |
| France | $8.9M | $13.1M | -$4.2M | -32.4% |
| Philippines | $7.0M | $10.8M | -$3.8M | -35.0% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with February 2025, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$28.1 million), Shampoos (HS 3305.10) (+$6.1 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$3.5 million).
The largest decreases by product were Lip make-up preparations (HS 3304.10) (-$16.0 million), Eye make-up preparations (HS 3304.20) (-$1.2 million), Manicure and pedicure preparations (HS 3304.30) (-$713,673).
Imports in February 2026 were $124.2 million (down 5.3% from February 2025), leaving a surplus of $788.2 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.