South Korea cosmetics exports: March 2026
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In March 2026, South Korea exported $1.18 billion of cosmetics, up 29.7% from February 2026 and up 26.0% from March 2025.
The three largest destinations were the United States ($243.8 million, 20.6%), China ($178.1 million, 15.0%), Japan ($105.7 million, 8.9%).
Compared with March 2025, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$81.9 million), the United Kingdom (+$33.4 million), Poland (+$19.4 million).
The largest decreases by destination were China (-$31.3 million), the United Arab Emirates (-$17.8 million), France (-$1.8 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, the Netherlands moved from 18th to 10th, the United Kingdom moved from 11th to 6th, Russia moved from 6th to 8th compared with March 2025.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs February 2026 | vs March 2025 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $243.8M | 20.6% | +31.6% | +50.6% | 2 |
| 2 | China | $178.1M | 15.0% | +60.6% | -14.9% | 1 |
| 3 | Japan | $105.7M | 8.9% | +20.5% | +15.0% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $56.7M | 4.8% | -4.2% | +9.2% | 4 |
| 5 | Vietnam | $48.3M | 4.1% | +33.6% | +11.5% | 5 |
| 6 | United Kingdom | $47.7M | 4.0% | +95.4% | +234.0% | 11 |
| 7 | Poland | $46.4M | 3.9% | +81.4% | +71.7% | 7 |
| 8 | Russia | $38.9M | 3.3% | +7.4% | +8.0% | 6 |
| 9 | Taiwan | $32.8M | 2.8% | +54.7% | +41.3% | 9 |
| 10 | Netherlands | $27.6M | 2.3% | +76.2% | +172.7% | 18 |
| 11 | Thailand | $25.1M | 2.1% | +22.0% | +18.8% | 10 |
| 12 | Canada | $20.0M | 1.7% | +38.8% | +44.4% | 12 |
| 13 | Malaysia | $15.9M | 1.3% | +38.7% | +39.2% | 16 |
| 14 | Germany | $14.8M | 1.2% | -9.3% | +149.9% | 26 |
| 15 | Australia | $14.1M | 1.2% | -12.8% | +22.7% | 15 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with March 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | March 2026 | March 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $243.8M | $161.9M | +$81.9M | +50.6% |
| United Kingdom | $47.7M | $14.3M | +$33.4M | +234.0% |
| Poland | $46.4M | $27.0M | +$19.4M | +71.7% |
| Netherlands | $27.6M | $10.1M | +$17.5M | +172.7% |
| Japan | $105.7M | $91.9M | +$13.8M | +15.0% |
| Country | March 2026 | March 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | $178.1M | $209.4M | -$31.3M | -14.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $7.6M | $25.4M | -$17.8M | -70.2% |
| France | $10.7M | $12.5M | -$1.8M | -14.2% |
| Iraq | $422K | $2.2M | -$1.8M | -80.7% |
| India | $9.0M | $10.4M | -$1.4M | -13.8% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with March 2025, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$188.5 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$36.0 million), Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$14.9 million).
The largest decreases by product were Lip make-up preparations (HS 3304.10) (-$9.0 million), Manicure and pedicure preparations (HS 3304.30) (-$360,597), Powders for make-up or skin care, whether or not compressed (HS 3304.91) (-$185,509).
Imports in March 2026 were $152.0 million (up 2.3% from March 2025), leaving a surplus of $1.03 billion 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.