South Korea exports: August 2026
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In August 2026, South Korea exported $98.22 billion of goods, down 1.0% from July 2026 and up 68.7% from August 2025.
The three largest destinations were China ($24.12 billion, 24.6%), the United States ($16.50 billion, 16.8%), Hong Kong ($8.94 billion, 9.1%).
Compared with August 2025, the largest increases in export value by destination were China (+$13.13 billion), the United States (+$7.79 billion), Hong Kong (+$6.21 billion).
The largest decreases by destination were France (-$712.5 million), Liberia (-$405.4 million), Bermuda (-$212.3 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, Malaysia moved from 10th to 6th, the Philippines moved from 11th to 7th, Hong Kong moved from 5th to 3rd compared with August 2025.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs July 2026 | vs August 2025 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | $24.12B | 24.6% | +11.2% | +119.6% | 1 |
| 2 | United States | $16.50B | 16.8% | -5.7% | +89.3% | 2 |
| 3 | Hong Kong | $8.94B | 9.1% | +34.3% | +227.9% | 5 |
| 4 | Vietnam | $8.82B | 9.0% | -10.6% | +63.4% | 3 |
| 5 | Taiwan | $6.47B | 6.6% | +13.7% | +48.0% | 4 |
| 6 | Malaysia | $3.29B | 3.4% | +27.9% | +217.1% | 10 |
| 7 | Philippines | $2.87B | 2.9% | +51.3% | +178.3% | 11 |
| 8 | Japan | $2.69B | 2.7% | -2.4% | +13.0% | 6 |
| 9 | Singapore | $2.44B | 2.5% | -1.9% | +12.9% | 7 |
| 10 | India | $2.35B | 2.4% | -9.1% | +47.8% | 8 |
| 11 | Australia | $1.88B | 1.9% | -1.5% | +25.5% | 9 |
| 12 | Netherlands | $1.65B | 1.7% | -47.4% | +89.2% | 14 |
| 13 | Mexico | $1.44B | 1.5% | +8.6% | +44.6% | 12 |
| 14 | Poland | $1.02B | 1.0% | +4.0% | +108.8% | 22 |
| 15 | Thailand | $924.5M | 0.9% | -10.1% | +44.5% | 19 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with August 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | August 2026 | August 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | $24.12B | $10.98B | +$13.13B | +119.6% |
| United States | $16.50B | $8.72B | +$7.79B | +89.3% |
| Hong Kong | $8.94B | $2.73B | +$6.21B | +227.9% |
| Vietnam | $8.82B | $5.40B | +$3.42B | +63.4% |
| Malaysia | $3.29B | $1.04B | +$2.26B | +217.1% |
| Country | August 2026 | August 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | $265.0M | $977.5M | -$712.5M | -72.9% |
| Liberia | $20.6M | $426.0M | -$405.4M | -95.2% |
| Bermuda | $558K | $212.9M | -$212.3M | -99.7% |
| Saudi Arabia | $157.2M | $357.0M | -$199.9M | -56.0% |
| Denmark | $62.1M | $249.7M | -$187.6M | -75.1% |
Chapters
The 20 largest of 96 HS chapters by export value this month.
Compared with August 2025, the largest increases in export value by chapter were Electrical machinery and electronics (HS 85) (+$31.36 billion), Machinery, boilers and computers (HS 84) (+$6.41 billion), Mineral fuels, oils and their products (HS 27) (+$2.90 billion).
The largest decreases by chapter were Vehicles, parts and accessories (HS 87) (-$1.75 billion), Ships and boats (HS 89) (-$1.35 billion), Aircraft and spacecraft (HS 88) (-$97.3 million).
Imports in August 2026 were $63.50 billion (up 22.5% from August 2025), leaving a surplus of $34.73 billion for the month.
Largest changes by 4-digit heading
Change in export value compared with August 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Heading | August 2026 | August 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic integrated circuits (semiconductor chips) | $38.24B | $12.62B | +$25.62B | +203.1% |
| Parts and accessories for computers and office machines | $7.91B | $2.03B | +$5.87B | +289.0% |
| Solid-state storage devices, discs and other recording media | $6.06B | $1.10B | +$4.96B | +450.1% |
| Refined petroleum oils | $6.96B | $4.08B | +$2.87B | +70.4% |
| Machines for making semiconductors and flat panel displays | $1.04B | $688.9M | +$351.6M | +51.0% |
| Beauty, make-up and skin care preparations | $978.4M | $702.0M | +$276.4M | +39.4% |
| Parts for display modules, televisions and broadcasting equipment | $1.21B | $975.0M | +$233.6M | +24.0% |
| Bombs, missiles, ammunition and parts | $239.9M | $30.0M | +$209.8M | +699.0% |
| Heading | August 2026 | August 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | $3.64B | $5.21B | -$1.57B | -30.1% |
| Cargo ships, tankers and passenger ships | $1.58B | $2.94B | -$1.36B | -46.3% |
| Parts and accessories of motor vehicles | $1.25B | $1.40B | -$152.0M | -10.8% |
| Flat panel display modules | $1.44B | $1.52B | -$83.4M | -5.5% |
| Diesel engines | $92.9M | $169.6M | -$76.8M | -45.3% |
| Aeroplanes, helicopters and spacecraft | $4.1M | $73.0M | -$68.9M | -94.4% |
| Motor vehicles for the transport of goods | $169.6M | $236.8M | -$67.2M | -28.4% |
| Acyclic hydrocarbons | $255.7M | $322.2M | -$66.4M | -20.6% |
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.