South Korea cosmetics exports: September 2026
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In September 2026, South Korea exported $1.50 billion of cosmetics, up 24.7% from August 2026 and up 31.3% from September 2025.
The three largest destinations were the United States ($329.3 million, 21.9%), China ($239.2 million, 15.9%), Japan ($115.6 million, 7.7%).
Compared with September 2025, the largest increases in export value by destination were the United States (+$77.4 million), the Netherlands (+$64.9 million), the United Kingdom (+$37.6 million).
The largest decreases by destination were Vietnam (-$5.3 million), Germany (-$3.4 million), Cambodia (-$2.0 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, the Netherlands moved from 20th to 4th, the United Kingdom moved from 9th to 6th, Vietnam moved from 5th to 8th compared with September 2025.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs August 2026 | vs September 2025 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $329.3M | 21.9% | +21.9% | +30.7% | 1 |
| 2 | China | $239.2M | 15.9% | +51.0% | +14.6% | 2 |
| 3 | Japan | $115.6M | 7.7% | +13.7% | +9.1% | 3 |
| 4 | Netherlands | $75.7M | 5.0% | +50.0% | +597.0% | 20 |
| 5 | Hong Kong | $65.0M | 4.3% | +55.5% | +5.8% | 4 |
| 6 | United Kingdom | $60.1M | 4.0% | -2.3% | +166.6% | 9 |
| 7 | Russia | $53.4M | 3.5% | +37.9% | +25.1% | 6 |
| 8 | Vietnam | $42.6M | 2.8% | +14.3% | -11.0% | 5 |
| 9 | Taiwan | $35.9M | 2.4% | +51.6% | +7.7% | 7 |
| 10 | Australia | $35.8M | 2.4% | +15.8% | +94.2% | 13 |
| 11 | United Arab Emirates | $29.3M | 2.0% | +8.0% | +2.8% | 8 |
| 12 | Canada | $28.7M | 1.9% | +55.9% | +36.3% | 11 |
| 13 | Estonia | $24.6M | 1.6% | +28.6% | +334.4% | 30 |
| 14 | Thailand | $23.2M | 1.5% | +22.3% | +10.6% | 12 |
| 15 | Poland | $21.5M | 1.4% | +26.1% | +20.7% | 14 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with September 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | September 2026 | September 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $329.3M | $251.9M | +$77.4M | +30.7% |
| Netherlands | $75.7M | $10.9M | +$64.9M | +597.0% |
| United Kingdom | $60.1M | $22.5M | +$37.6M | +166.6% |
| China | $239.2M | $208.6M | +$30.5M | +14.6% |
| Estonia | $24.6M | $5.7M | +$19.0M | +334.4% |
Products
Six-digit codes counted in the cosmetics total.
Compared with September 2025, the largest increases in export value by product were Other beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (including sunscreen) (HS 3304.99) (+$275.2 million), Other toiletry preparations (depilatories, sheet masks, contact lens solutions and others) (HS 3307.90) (+$34.0 million), Liquid or cream skin-washing products (HS 3401.30) (+$22.4 million).
The largest decreases by product were Lip make-up preparations (HS 3304.10) (-$1.6 million), Powders for make-up or skin care, whether or not compressed (HS 3304.91) (-$831,466), Preparations for permanent waving or straightening (HS 3305.20) (-$89,159).
Imports in September 2026 were $152.1 million (down 4.6% from September 2025), leaving a surplus of $1.35 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.