South Korea exports: March 2026
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In March 2026, South Korea exported $87.33 billion of goods, up 29.2% from February 2026 and up 50.5% from March 2025.
The three largest destinations were China ($16.70 billion, 19.1%), the United States ($16.42 billion, 18.8%), Hong Kong ($7.86 billion, 9.0%).
Compared with March 2025, the largest increases in export value by destination were China (+$6.65 billion), the United States (+$5.31 billion), Hong Kong (+$5.18 billion).
The largest decreases by destination were Malta (-$355.4 million), Saudi Arabia (-$287.1 million), the United Arab Emirates (-$269.7 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, Australia moved from 12th to 7th, Hong Kong moved from 5th to 3rd, China moved from 2nd to 1st compared with March 2025.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs February 2026 | vs March 2025 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | $16.70B | 19.1% | +30.8% | +66.2% | 2 |
| 2 | United States | $16.42B | 18.8% | +29.3% | +47.8% | 1 |
| 3 | Hong Kong | $7.86B | 9.0% | +57.7% | +193.1% | 5 |
| 4 | Vietnam | $7.13B | 8.2% | +21.0% | +41.9% | 3 |
| 5 | Taiwan | $6.32B | 7.2% | +38.9% | +65.4% | 4 |
| 6 | Japan | $2.92B | 3.3% | +22.1% | +35.1% | 6 |
| 7 | Australia | $2.83B | 3.2% | +147.2% | +213.4% | 12 |
| 8 | Singapore | $2.08B | 2.4% | -16.7% | +9.6% | 7 |
| 9 | India | $1.96B | 2.2% | +12.8% | +30.7% | 8 |
| 10 | Philippines | $1.72B | 2.0% | +54.3% | +63.5% | 9 |
| 11 | Mexico | $1.50B | 1.7% | +57.1% | +59.5% | 11 |
| 12 | Netherlands | $1.46B | 1.7% | +43.8% | +123.7% | 18 |
| 13 | Malaysia | $1.43B | 1.6% | -17.7% | +45.7% | 10 |
| 14 | Canada | $1.12B | 1.3% | +23.3% | +25.6% | 13 |
| 15 | Germany | $1.01B | 1.2% | +38.1% | +12.6% | 14 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with March 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | March 2026 | March 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | $16.70B | $10.05B | +$6.65B | +66.2% |
| United States | $16.42B | $11.11B | +$5.31B | +47.8% |
| Hong Kong | $7.86B | $2.68B | +$5.18B | +193.1% |
| Taiwan | $6.32B | $3.82B | +$2.50B | +65.4% |
| Vietnam | $7.13B | $5.03B | +$2.11B | +41.9% |
| Country | March 2026 | March 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malta | $188.1M | $543.5M | -$355.4M | -65.4% |
| Saudi Arabia | $158.4M | $445.5M | -$287.1M | -64.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $171.0M | $440.8M | -$269.7M | -61.2% |
| Denmark | $76.3M | $252.0M | -$175.6M | -69.7% |
| France | $317.7M | $478.7M | -$161.1M | -33.6% |
Chapters
The 20 largest of 96 HS chapters by export value this month.
Compared with March 2025, the largest increases in export value by chapter were Electrical machinery and electronics (HS 85) (+$17.53 billion), Machinery, boilers and computers (HS 84) (+$5.28 billion), Mineral fuels, oils and their products (HS 27) (+$2.97 billion).
The largest decreases by chapter were Articles of iron or steel (HS 73) (-$140.8 million), Vehicles, parts and accessories (HS 87) (-$67.4 million), Aircraft and spacecraft (HS 88) (-$59.6 million).
Imports in March 2026 were $60.89 billion (up 14.2% from March 2025), leaving a surplus of $26.44 billion for the month.
Largest changes by 4-digit heading
Change in export value compared with March 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Heading | March 2026 | March 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic integrated circuits (semiconductor chips) | $24.90B | $10.46B | +$14.45B | +138.2% |
| Parts and accessories for computers and office machines | $7.47B | $2.17B | +$5.30B | +244.0% |
| Refined petroleum oils | $6.19B | $3.24B | +$2.95B | +91.2% |
| Solid-state storage devices, discs and other recording media | $3.30B | $1.06B | +$2.24B | +211.0% |
| Gold | $1.07B | $127.5M | +$945.0M | +740.9% |
| Dredgers, floating cranes, drilling platforms and floating docks | $750.7M | $0 | +$750.7M | – |
| Parts for display modules, televisions and broadcasting equipment | $1.05B | $698.8M | +$353.7M | +50.6% |
| Silver | $464.4M | $155.5M | +$308.9M | +198.6% |
| Heading | March 2026 | March 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other vessels, including warships and lifeboats other than rowing boats | $760K | $246.0M | -$245.2M | -99.7% |
| Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles | $30.1M | $214.4M | -$184.3M | -86.0% |
| Cargo ships, tankers and passenger ships | $2.60B | $2.77B | -$177.5M | -6.4% |
| Flat panel display modules | $1.22B | $1.34B | -$118.7M | -8.9% |
| Machinery for treating materials by a change of temperature | $134.3M | $227.7M | -$93.4M | -41.0% |
| Steel structures and parts (bridges, towers, frameworks) | $60.1M | $151.3M | -$91.2M | -60.3% |
| Military weapons (artillery, rocket launchers and others) | $5.1M | $93.6M | -$88.6M | -94.6% |
| Aeroplanes, helicopters and spacecraft | $2.9M | $80.3M | -$77.4M | -96.4% |
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.