South Korea cosmetics exports: May 2026
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In May 2026, South Korea exported $1.17 billion of cosmetics, down 13.3% from April 2026 and up 23.1% from May 2025.
The three largest destinations were the United States ($266.8 million, 22.8%), China ($179.1 million, 15.3%), Japan ($75.5 million, 6.5%).
Compared with May 2025, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$62.6 million), Poland (+$32.7 million), the United Kingdom (+$23.0 million).
The largest decreases by destination were Japan (-$13.7 million), Myanmar (-$1.5 million), Iraq (-$1.1 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, the Netherlands moved from 17th to 10th, the United Kingdom moved from 11th to 6th, Poland moved from 8th to 5th compared with May 2025.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs April 2026 | vs May 2025 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $266.8M | 22.8% | +0.5% | +30.6% | 1 |
| 2 | China | $179.1M | 15.3% | -0.9% | -0.6% | 2 |
| 3 | Japan | $75.5M | 6.5% | -38.1% | -15.3% | 3 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | $65.5M | 5.6% | -10.6% | +25.5% | 4 |
| 5 | Poland | $56.9M | 4.9% | +9.9% | +134.8% | 8 |
| 6 | United Kingdom | $42.1M | 3.6% | -20.9% | +119.9% | 11 |
| 7 | Russia | $39.7M | 3.4% | -20.2% | +1.2% | 5 |
| 8 | Vietnam | $39.1M | 3.3% | -13.2% | +16.2% | 6 |
| 9 | Taiwan | $30.7M | 2.6% | -18.7% | +8.7% | 7 |
| 10 | Netherlands | $25.0M | 2.1% | -52.1% | +133.7% | 17 |
| 11 | United Arab Emirates | $22.0M | 1.9% | -15.6% | -1.0% | 9 |
| 12 | Thailand | $20.3M | 1.7% | -7.9% | -1.2% | 10 |
| 13 | Canada | $18.5M | 1.6% | -30.2% | +23.7% | 12 |
| 14 | Indonesia | $16.4M | 1.4% | -11.2% | +94.5% | 20 |
| 15 | Australia | $15.2M | 1.3% | +4.8% | +25.2% | 14 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with May 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | May 2026 | May 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $266.8M | $204.3M | +$62.6M | +30.6% |
| Poland | $56.9M | $24.2M | +$32.7M | +134.8% |
| United Kingdom | $42.1M | $19.1M | +$23.0M | +119.9% |
| Netherlands | $25.0M | $10.7M | +$14.3M | +133.7% |
| Hong Kong | $65.5M | $52.2M | +$13.3M | +25.5% |
| Country | May 2026 | May 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | $75.5M | $89.2M | -$13.7M | -15.3% |
| Myanmar | $5.2M | $6.8M | -$1.5M | -22.5% |
| Iraq | $2.4M | $3.5M | -$1.1M | -31.6% |
| China | $179.1M | $180.2M | -$1.1M | -0.6% |
| Bangladesh | $1.4M | $2.3M | -$850K | -37.7% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with May 2025, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$198.0 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$14.2 million), Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$12.4 million).
The largest decreases by product were Lip make-up preparations (HS 3304.10) (-$13.5 million), Eye make-up preparations (HS 3304.20) (-$1.2 million), Manicure and pedicure preparations (HS 3304.30) (-$202,247).
Imports in May 2026 were $140.9 million (up 4.4% from May 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.