South Korea cosmetics exports: April 2026
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In April 2026, South Korea exported $1.35 billion of cosmetics, up 14.2% from March 2026 and up 31.2% from April 2025.
The three largest destinations were the United States ($265.6 million, 19.7%), China ($180.7 million, 13.4%), Japan ($122.1 million, 9.0%).
Compared with April 2025, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$74.0 million), the Netherlands (+$43.7 million), the United Kingdom (+$35.2 million).
The largest decreases by destination were China (-$47.2 million), Iraq (-$2.0 million), Qatar (-$830,225).
Within the top 10 destinations, the Netherlands moved from 21st to 6th, the United Kingdom moved from 11th to 5th, Russia moved from 5th to 8th compared with April 2025.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs March 2026 | vs April 2025 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $265.6M | 19.7% | +8.9% | +38.6% | 2 |
| 2 | China | $180.7M | 13.4% | +1.5% | -20.7% | 1 |
| 3 | Japan | $122.1M | 9.0% | +15.5% | +34.9% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $73.3M | 5.4% | +29.2% | +10.7% | 4 |
| 5 | United Kingdom | $53.2M | 3.9% | +11.7% | +195.8% | 11 |
| 6 | Netherlands | $52.1M | 3.9% | +88.8% | +519.3% | 21 |
| 7 | Poland | $51.8M | 3.8% | +11.6% | +101.4% | 8 |
| 8 | Russia | $49.7M | 3.7% | +28.0% | +15.4% | 5 |
| 9 | Vietnam | $45.1M | 3.3% | -6.7% | +18.5% | 6 |
| 10 | Taiwan | $37.8M | 2.8% | +15.2% | +24.7% | 7 |
| 11 | Canada | $26.6M | 2.0% | +33.1% | +75.6% | 12 |
| 12 | United Arab Emirates | $26.1M | 1.9% | +245.6% | +36.9% | 10 |
| 13 | Thailand | $22.1M | 1.6% | -12.0% | +1.5% | 9 |
| 14 | Indonesia | $18.4M | 1.4% | +31.3% | +47.4% | 15 |
| 15 | Malaysia | $18.0M | 1.3% | +13.0% | +23.2% | 13 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with April 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | April 2026 | April 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $265.6M | $191.6M | +$74.0M | +38.6% |
| Netherlands | $52.1M | $8.4M | +$43.7M | +519.3% |
| United Kingdom | $53.2M | $18.0M | +$35.2M | +195.8% |
| Japan | $122.1M | $90.5M | +$31.6M | +34.9% |
| Poland | $51.8M | $25.7M | +$26.1M | +101.4% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with April 2025, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$242.6 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$49.1 million), Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$10.1 million).
The largest decreases by product were Eye make-up preparations (HS 3304.20) (-$667,967), Manicure and pedicure preparations (HS 3304.30) (-$434,589), Personal deodorants and antiperspirants (HS 3307.20) (-$197,273).
Imports in April 2026 were $149.5 million (up 9.4% from April 2025), leaving a surplus of $1.20 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.