South Korea exports: October 2025
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In October 2025, South Korea exported $59.49 billion of goods, down 9.7% from September 2025 and up 3.5% from October 2024.
The three largest destinations were China ($11.54 billion, 19.4%), the United States ($8.71 billion, 14.6%), Taiwan ($5.16 billion, 8.7%).
Compared with October 2024, the largest increases in export value by destination were Brazil (+$2.47 billion), Taiwan (+$1.63 billion), Hong Kong (+$854.0 million).
The largest decreases by destination were the United States (-$1.68 billion), China (-$619.9 million), Malaysia (-$331.4 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, Brazil moved from 21st to 6th, Japan moved from 5th to 7th, India moved from 7th to 9th compared with October 2024.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs September 2025 | vs October 2024 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | $11.54B | 19.4% | -1.1% | -5.1% | 1 |
| 2 | United States | $8.71B | 14.6% | -15.1% | -16.2% | 2 |
| 3 | Taiwan | $5.16B | 8.7% | -0.9% | +46.2% | 4 |
| 4 | Vietnam | $5.10B | 8.6% | -13.9% | -2.5% | 3 |
| 5 | Hong Kong | $3.06B | 5.2% | -12.4% | +38.6% | 6 |
| 6 | Brazil | $2.86B | 4.8% | +495.4% | +634.5% | 21 |
| 7 | Japan | $2.22B | 3.7% | -13.3% | -8.4% | 5 |
| 8 | Singapore | $1.48B | 2.5% | -1.8% | +6.1% | 8 |
| 9 | India | $1.48B | 2.5% | -14.2% | -2.1% | 7 |
| 10 | Australia | $1.27B | 2.1% | -5.7% | +17.9% | 10 |
| 11 | Mexico | $946.4M | 1.6% | -16.7% | -15.9% | 9 |
| 12 | Netherlands | $830.3M | 1.4% | -13.4% | +54.6% | 20 |
| 13 | Philippines | $778.2M | 1.3% | -33.6% | -18.0% | 12 |
| 14 | Canada | $751.0M | 1.3% | -9.0% | -17.8% | 13 |
| 15 | Germany | $733.5M | 1.2% | +1.5% | +3.3% | 17 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with October 2024, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | October 2025 | October 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | $2.86B | $389.4M | +$2.47B | +634.5% |
| Taiwan | $5.16B | $3.53B | +$1.63B | +46.2% |
| Hong Kong | $3.06B | $2.21B | +$854.0M | +38.6% |
| Netherlands | $830.3M | $537.0M | +$293.4M | +54.6% |
| Kyrgyzstan | $461.5M | $187.4M | +$274.2M | +146.3% |
| Country | October 2025 | October 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $8.71B | $10.39B | -$1.68B | -16.2% |
| China | $11.54B | $12.16B | -$619.9M | -5.1% |
| Malaysia | $706.9M | $1.04B | -$331.4M | -31.9% |
| Poland | $530.2M | $744.2M | -$214.0M | -28.8% |
| Japan | $2.22B | $2.42B | -$203.9M | -8.4% |
Chapters
The 20 largest of 96 HS chapters by export value this month.
Compared with October 2024, the largest increases in export value by chapter were Ships and boats (HS 89) (+$2.66 billion), Electrical machinery and electronics (HS 85) (+$1.74 billion), Pearls, precious stones and precious metals (HS 71) (+$610.4 million).
The largest decreases by chapter were Vehicles, parts and accessories (HS 87) (-$1.02 billion), Plastics and articles thereof (HS 39) (-$473.6 million), Iron and steel (HS 72) (-$345.0 million).
Imports in October 2025 were $53.50 billion (down 1.5% from October 2024), leaving a surplus of $6.00 billion for the month.
Largest changes by 4-digit heading
Change in export value compared with October 2024, ranked by dollar amount.
| Heading | October 2025 | October 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dredgers, floating cranes, drilling platforms and floating docks | $2.47B | $54K | +$2.47B | +4,580,660% |
| Electronic integrated circuits (semiconductor chips) | $13.18B | $10.84B | +$2.34B | +21.6% |
| Parts and accessories for computers and office machines | $2.04B | $1.22B | +$822.0M | +67.4% |
| Refined petroleum oils | $3.77B | $3.35B | +$416.6M | +12.4% |
| Gold | $336.5M | $46.5M | +$289.9M | +623.3% |
| Goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares | $257.8M | $2.2M | +$255.6M | +11,843% |
| Cargo ships, tankers and passenger ships | $2.12B | $1.91B | +$203.4M | +10.6% |
| Motor vehicles for the transport of goods | $246.0M | $137.9M | +$108.1M | +78.4% |
| Heading | October 2025 | October 2024 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | $5.25B | $6.00B | -$757.6M | -12.6% |
| Parts and accessories of motor vehicles | $1.27B | $1.56B | -$288.2M | -18.5% |
| Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel, hot-rolled | $376.1M | $506.3M | -$130.2M | -25.7% |
| Machines and mechanical appliances with individual functions | $364.7M | $488.6M | -$123.9M | -25.3% |
| Parts for display modules, televisions and broadcasting equipment | $1.20B | $1.32B | -$123.9M | -9.4% |
| Coal tar distillation oils (benzene, toluene, xylene) | $74.6M | $196.7M | -$122.1M | -62.1% |
| Beauty, make-up and skin care preparations | $753.3M | $874.7M | -$121.5M | -13.9% |
| Flat panel display modules | $1.36B | $1.48B | -$120.3M | -8.1% |
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.