South Korea exports: September 2026
Monthly report, generated from Korea Customs Service statistics
In September 2026, South Korea exported $121.22 billion of goods, up 23.4% from August 2026 and up 84.0% from September 2025.
The three largest destinations were China ($26.04 billion, 21.5%), the United States ($24.32 billion, 20.1%), Hong Kong ($10.62 billion, 8.8%).
Compared with September 2025, the largest increases in export value by destination were China (+$14.38 billion), the United States (+$14.06 billion), Hong Kong (+$7.12 billion).
The largest decreases by destination were Bermuda (-$416.1 million), Poland (-$361.8 million), Kyrgyzstan (-$327.9 million).
Within the top 10 destinations, the Philippines moved from 11th to 6th, Malaysia moved from 13th to 9th, Hong Kong moved from 5th to 3rd compared with September 2025.
Top destinations
| Rank | Country | Exports | Share | vs August 2026 | vs September 2025 | Rank a year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | $26.04B | 21.5% | +8.0% | +123.2% | 1 |
| 2 | United States | $24.32B | 20.1% | +47.3% | +137.0% | 2 |
| 3 | Hong Kong | $10.62B | 8.8% | +18.8% | +203.6% | 5 |
| 4 | Taiwan | $10.24B | 8.4% | +58.2% | +96.7% | 4 |
| 5 | Vietnam | $8.53B | 7.0% | -3.3% | +43.9% | 3 |
| 6 | Philippines | $3.97B | 3.3% | +38.2% | +238.5% | 11 |
| 7 | Singapore | $3.81B | 3.1% | +55.7% | +152.1% | 8 |
| 8 | Japan | $3.21B | 2.6% | +19.4% | +25.3% | 6 |
| 9 | Malaysia | $3.19B | 2.6% | -3.2% | +211.0% | 13 |
| 10 | Australia | $2.73B | 2.2% | +44.8% | +102.8% | 10 |
| 11 | India | $2.58B | 2.1% | +9.6% | +49.7% | 7 |
| 12 | Netherlands | $2.07B | 1.7% | +25.0% | +115.9% | 15 |
| 13 | Mexico | $1.47B | 1.2% | +1.7% | +29.1% | 12 |
| 14 | Canada | $1.14B | 0.9% | +34.0% | +38.5% | 16 |
| 15 | Marshall Islands | $1.14B | 0.9% | +119.5% | +136.7% | 23 |
Largest changes by destination
Change in export value compared with September 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Country | September 2026 | September 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | $26.04B | $11.67B | +$14.38B | +123.2% |
| United States | $24.32B | $10.26B | +$14.06B | +137.0% |
| Hong Kong | $10.62B | $3.50B | +$7.12B | +203.6% |
| Taiwan | $10.24B | $5.21B | +$5.03B | +96.7% |
| Philippines | $3.97B | $1.17B | +$2.80B | +238.5% |
| Country | September 2026 | September 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda | $1.0M | $417.2M | -$416.1M | -99.7% |
| Poland | $1.06B | $1.42B | -$361.8M | -25.4% |
| Kyrgyzstan | $139.5M | $467.5M | -$327.9M | -70.2% |
| Türkiye | $689.4M | $1.00B | -$315.5M | -31.4% |
| Denmark | $74.1M | $276.6M | -$202.5M | -73.2% |
Chapters
The 20 largest of 96 HS chapters by export value this month.
Compared with September 2025, the largest increases in export value by chapter were Electrical machinery and electronics (HS 85) (+$36.13 billion), Machinery, boilers and computers (HS 84) (+$14.42 billion), Mineral fuels, oils and their products (HS 27) (+$3.43 billion).
The largest decreases by chapter were Vehicles, parts and accessories (HS 87) (-$615.9 million), Arms and ammunition (HS 93) (-$180.1 million), Pharmaceutical products (HS 30) (-$123.4 million).
Imports in September 2026 were $71.04 billion (up 26.0% from September 2025), leaving a surplus of $50.18 billion for the month.
Largest changes by 4-digit heading
Change in export value compared with September 2025, ranked by dollar amount.
| Heading | September 2026 | September 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic integrated circuits (semiconductor chips) | $43.12B | $13.62B | +$29.49B | +216.5% |
| Parts and accessories for computers and office machines | $16.53B | $2.50B | +$14.03B | +560.9% |
| Solid-state storage devices, discs and other recording media | $6.84B | $1.16B | +$5.68B | +488.7% |
| Refined petroleum oils | $7.51B | $4.13B | +$3.38B | +81.7% |
| Cargo ships, tankers and passenger ships | $3.53B | $2.47B | +$1.06B | +42.8% |
| Machines for making semiconductors and flat panel displays | $1.27B | $737.1M | +$535.3M | +72.6% |
| Refined copper and copper alloys, unwrought | $467.7M | $183.9M | +$283.8M | +154.4% |
| Beauty, make-up and skin care preparations | $1.21B | $936.7M | +$275.8M | +29.4% |
| Heading | September 2026 | September 2025 | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | $5.70B | $6.04B | -$337.5M | -5.6% |
| Other vessels, including warships and lifeboats other than rowing boats | $21K | $245.5M | -$245.5M | -100.0% |
| Flat panel display modules | $1.44B | $1.60B | -$161.2M | -10.1% |
| Bombs, missiles, ammunition and parts | $55.0M | $191.0M | -$136.0M | -71.2% |
| Parts and accessories of motor vehicles | $1.49B | $1.63B | -$134.8M | -8.3% |
| Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel, hot-rolled | $383.7M | $506.3M | -$122.5M | -24.2% |
| Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles | $213.3M | $331.1M | -$117.8M | -35.6% |
| Blood products, vaccines and immunological products | $673.3M | $786.6M | -$113.3M | -14.4% |
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.