Explosives and matches: South Korea exports to the United States
HS chapter 36 · 화약류, 화공품, 성냥, 발화성 합금, 특정 가연성 조제품 · latest month: October 2026
In October 2026, South Korea exported $1.2 million of explosives and matches (HS 36) to the United States, up 15.4% from September 2026 and down 30.7% from October 2025.
Over the 12 months to October 2026, exports of explosives and matches (HS 36) to the United States totalled $16.8 million, up 9.4% from the 12 months before ($15.3 million).
The United States took 19.0% of South Korea's exports of this product over the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 2nd of 36 destinations (1st in the 12 months before).
This product made up 0.0% of South Korea's goods exports to the United States over the same period.
The average export value in October 2026 was $15.05 per kg of net weight, compared with $17.80 per kg in October 2025.
Imports from the United States in October 2026 were $498,037 (down 92.7% from October 2025), leaving a surplus of $750,841 for the month.
Last 24 months
Monthly figures
| Month | Exports | vs year earlier | Export weight | Export $/kg | Imports | Import weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | $1.2M | -30.7% | 83.0 t | $15.05 | $498K | 23 kg |
| September 2026 | $1.1M | +128.8% | 58.8 t | $18.41 | $2.2M | 342 kg |
| August 2026 | $750K | +95.3% | 50.4 t | $14.87 | $442K | 521 kg |
| July 2026 | $514K | -60.8% | 42.2 t | $12.19 | $2.1M | 128 kg |
| June 2026 | $2.1M | +32.9% | 77.8 t | $26.71 | $779K | 12.3 t |
| May 2026 | $1.5M | +1,064% | 58.5 t | $24.95 | $202K | 189 kg |
| April 2026 | $1.7M | +73.1% | 33.8 t | $49.38 | $3.6M | 149 kg |
| March 2026 | $258K | -94.4% | 53.0 t | $4.87 | $3.9M | 2.2 t |
| February 2026 | $3.2M | +771.6% | 265 t | $12.04 | $6.1M | 46.5 t |
| January 2026 | $1.6M | +2.9% | 40.7 t | $39.89 | $4.0M | 50.0 t |
| December 2025 | $1.6M | +1.7% | 89.4 t | $18.33 | $6.4M | 99.8 t |
| November 2025 | $1.3M | +128.5% | 67.4 t | $18.70 | $2.4M | 49.9 t |
| October 2025 | $1.8M | +579.2% | 101 t | $17.80 | $6.8M | 129 t |
| September 2025 | $473K | -80.2% | 52.1 t | $9.08 | $3.2M | 69.2 t |
| August 2025 | $384K | +134.5% | 13.1 t | $29.36 | $1.8M | 10.1 t |
| July 2025 | $1.3M | +48.3% | 205 t | $6.39 | $4.9M | 98.5 t |
| June 2025 | $1.6M | +112.5% | 71.9 t | $21.77 | $5.2M | 98.3 t |
| May 2025 | $125K | -54.3% | 26.2 t | $4.79 | $498K | 10.0 t |
| April 2025 | $965K | -45.1% | 70.7 t | $13.64 | $3.4M | 48.7 t |
| March 2025 | $4.6M | +3,854% | 334 t | $13.78 | $993K | 2.8 t |
| February 2025 | $367K | -54.2% | 75.5 t | $4.85 | $1.8M | 48.8 t |
| January 2025 | $1.6M | +763.5% | 40.2 t | $39.20 | $1.8M | 48.3 t |
| December 2024 | $1.6M | +13.6% | 94.6 t | $17.02 | $4.9M | 88.8 t |
| November 2024 | $551K | -26.2% | 74.2 t | $7.43 | $4.2M | 59.5 t |
Exports FOB, imports CIF, US dollars. Weight is net weight. "vs year earlier" compares export value with the same month one year before and is left blank when that month was under $10,000. Source: Korea Customs Service, via data.go.kr.
Largest headings exported to the United States
| Code | Product | Exports, 12 months | Share | vs 12 months before | October 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3603 | Safety fuses, etc. | $10.5M | 62.7% | +27.6% | $891K |
| 3602 | Prepared explosives, other than propellent powders | $4.2M | 25.1% | -6.2% | $0 |
| 3606 | Ferro-cerium and other pyrophoric alloys in all forms, etc. | $2.0M | 12.2% | -21.3% | $358K |
| 3605 | Matches | $2,892 | 0.0% | – | $0 |
| 3604 | Fireworks, signalling flares, rain rockets, etc. | $1,517 | 0.0% | – | $19 |
See also: Explosives and matches to all countries · all exports to the United States