South Korea cosmetics exports: August 2026
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In August 2026, South Korea exported $1.21 billion of cosmetics, down 10.2% from July 2026 and up 40.0% from August 2025.
The three largest destinations were the United States ($270.1 million, 22.4%), China ($158.3 million, 13.1%), Japan ($101.7 million, 8.4%).
Compared with August 2025, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$86.6 million), the United Kingdom (+$42.7 million), the Netherlands (+$37.5 million).
The largest decreases by destination were Hong Kong (-$13.2 million), France (-$3.2 million), Saudi Arabia (-$1.7 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, the Netherlands moved from 15th to 5th, the United Kingdom moved from 8th to 4th, Australia moved from 13th to 9th compared with August 2025.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs July 2026 | vs August 2025 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $270.1M | 22.4% | -12.6% | +47.2% | 1 |
| 2 | China | $158.3M | 13.1% | -6.8% | +7.6% | 2 |
| 3 | Japan | $101.7M | 8.4% | +11.9% | +36.2% | 3 |
| 4 | United Kingdom | $61.5M | 5.1% | -19.0% | +226.2% | 8 |
| 5 | Netherlands | $50.5M | 4.2% | -13.1% | +288.2% | 15 |
| 6 | Hong Kong | $41.8M | 3.5% | -13.6% | -23.9% | 4 |
| 7 | Russia | $38.7M | 3.2% | -31.4% | +5.4% | 5 |
| 8 | Vietnam | $37.3M | 3.1% | -13.2% | +9.3% | 6 |
| 9 | Australia | $30.9M | 2.6% | +12.4% | +127.8% | 13 |
| 10 | United Arab Emirates | $27.2M | 2.3% | +23.9% | +46.0% | 9 |
| 11 | Taiwan | $23.7M | 2.0% | -12.1% | -2.8% | 7 |
| 12 | Indonesia | $20.3M | 1.7% | +13.0% | +61.1% | 16 |
| 13 | Estonia | $19.2M | 1.6% | -2.2% | +325.6% | 30 |
| 14 | Thailand | $19.0M | 1.6% | -6.8% | +12.9% | 10 |
| 15 | Canada | $18.4M | 1.5% | -18.7% | +71.0% | 18 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with August 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | August 2026 | August 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $270.1M | $183.6M | +$86.6M | +47.2% |
| United Kingdom | $61.5M | $18.9M | +$42.7M | +226.2% |
| Netherlands | $50.5M | $13.0M | +$37.5M | +288.2% |
| Japan | $101.7M | $74.7M | +$27.0M | +36.2% |
| Australia | $30.9M | $13.6M | +$17.3M | +127.8% |
| Country | August 2026 | August 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | $41.8M | $55.0M | -$13.2M | -23.9% |
| France | $11.1M | $14.3M | -$3.2M | -22.2% |
| Saudi Arabia | $5.8M | $7.5M | -$1.7M | -22.6% |
| Taiwan | $23.7M | $24.4M | -$689K | -2.8% |
| Croatia | $324K | $712K | -$388K | -54.5% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with August 2025, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$273.7 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$24.8 million), Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$21.5 million).
The largest decreases by product were Powders for make-up or skin care, whether or not compressed (HS 3304.91) (-$641,248), Hair lacquers (HS 3305.30) (-$431,122), Preparations for permanent waving or straightening (HS 3305.20) (-$323,943).
Imports in August 2026 were $151.2 million (up 5.6% from August 2025), leaving a surplus of $1.06 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.