Paper and paperboard: South Korea exports to China
HS chapter 48 · 종이와 판지, 제지용 펄프ㆍ종이ㆍ판지의 제품 · latest month: October 2026
In October 2026, South Korea exported $31.1 million of paper and paperboard (HS 48) to China, up 7.4% from September 2026 and up 17.2% from October 2025.
Over the 12 months to October 2026, exports of paper and paperboard (HS 48) to China totalled $322.5 million, down 1.8% from the 12 months before ($328.3 million).
China took 11.9% of South Korea's exports of this product over the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 2nd of 189 destinations.
This product made up 0.1% of South Korea's goods exports to China over the same period.
The average export value in October 2026 was $0.61 per kg of net weight, compared with $0.46 per kg in October 2025.
Imports from China in October 2026 were $108.3 million (up 25.2% from October 2025), leaving a deficit of $77.2 million for the month.
Last 24 months
Monthly figures
| Month | Exports | vs year earlier | Export weight | Export $/kg | Imports | Import weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | $31.1M | +17.2% | 51,252 t | $0.61 | $108.3M | 69,777 t |
| September 2026 | $29.0M | +12.1% | 50,543 t | $0.57 | $109.8M | 67,051 t |
| August 2026 | $26.4M | +2.0% | 43,274 t | $0.61 | $91.0M | 56,177 t |
| July 2026 | $28.9M | +17.0% | 48,520 t | $0.60 | $102.2M | 63,108 t |
| June 2026 | $23.3M | -0.4% | 40,895 t | $0.57 | $111.4M | 68,704 t |
| May 2026 | $21.9M | -19.9% | 34,754 t | $0.63 | $102.7M | 65,965 t |
| April 2026 | $25.8M | -11.4% | 47,611 t | $0.54 | $104.8M | 68,108 t |
| March 2026 | $26.9M | -9.2% | 50,651 t | $0.53 | $89.9M | 57,810 t |
| February 2026 | $23.6M | -39.6% | 48,183 t | $0.49 | $81.8M | 53,905 t |
| January 2026 | $26.9M | +20.4% | 53,626 t | $0.50 | $96.3M | 59,920 t |
| December 2025 | $32.6M | +8.8% | 69,672 t | $0.47 | $105.6M | 67,961 t |
| November 2025 | $26.3M | +6.6% | 53,913 t | $0.49 | $91.7M | 57,283 t |
| October 2025 | $26.5M | +6.5% | 57,593 t | $0.46 | $86.5M | 50,390 t |
| September 2025 | $25.8M | +22.3% | 53,311 t | $0.48 | $95.6M | 58,367 t |
| August 2025 | $25.8M | -7.5% | 55,737 t | $0.46 | $85.5M | 52,440 t |
| July 2025 | $24.7M | -1.3% | 51,964 t | $0.47 | $90.7M | 55,654 t |
| June 2025 | $23.3M | -4.0% | 46,721 t | $0.50 | $87.3M | 53,418 t |
| May 2025 | $27.3M | -4.4% | 58,042 t | $0.47 | $84.7M | 54,121 t |
| April 2025 | $29.1M | +5.2% | 61,110 t | $0.48 | $91.4M | 55,823 t |
| March 2025 | $29.6M | -2.8% | 59,078 t | $0.50 | $83.2M | 51,861 t |
| February 2025 | $39.1M | +44.9% | 84,736 t | $0.46 | $70.8M | 44,842 t |
| January 2025 | $22.3M | -11.8% | 44,155 t | $0.51 | $83.9M | 50,093 t |
| December 2024 | $29.9M | -0.4% | 56,985 t | $0.53 | $96.1M | 54,054 t |
| November 2024 | $24.7M | -18.0% | 40,335 t | $0.61 | $87.1M | 47,545 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 China
| Code | Product | Exports, 12 months | Share | vs 12 months before | October 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4805 | Other uncoated paper and paperboard | $200.1M | 62.0% | -2.1% | $18.9M |
| 4810 | Paper and paperboard coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances | $32.0M | 9.9% | -13.4% | $3.2M |
| 4811 | Paper and paperboard, coated, impregnated or surface-decorated | $24.2M | 7.5% | -4.3% | $2.4M |
| 4823 | Other paper and paperboard articles, cut to size | $14.8M | 4.6% | +16.6% | $1.9M |
| 4804 | Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, etc. | $9.8M | 3.0% | +10.1% | $660K |
| 4801 | Newsprint, in rolls or sheets | $8.3M | 2.6% | +28.3% | $733K |
| 4820 | Registers, account books, note books, order books, receipt books, letter pads, etc. | $6.4M | 2.0% | +109.3% | $522K |
| 4819 | Paper and paperboard cartons, boxes, bags and packing containers | $6.0M | 1.9% | +15.7% | $569K |
| 4818 | Toilet paper and similar paper, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres, etc. | $3.9M | 1.2% | -23.9% | $732K |
| 4808 | Paper and paperboard, corrugated, creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, etc. | $3.4M | 1.1% | +13.6% | $62K |
| 4809 | Carbon and self-copy paper, in rolls or large sheets | $3.1M | 1.0% | -8.2% | $436K |
| 4821 | Paper or paperboard labels of all kinds, whether or not printed | $2.7M | 0.8% | +0.7% | $483K |
| 4803 | Toilet or facial tissue stock, etc. | $2.1M | 0.7% | -34.5% | $201K |
| 4802 | Uncoated paper and paperboard, of a kind used for writing, etc. | $2.0M | 0.6% | -21.3% | $105K |
| 4822 | Bobbins, spools, cops and similar supports of paper pulp, paper or paperboard, etc. | $1.8M | 0.6% | +25.4% | $168K |
| 4816 | Carbon and self-copy paper, cut to size; duplicator stencils | $975K | 0.3% | +13.1% | $67K |
| 4814 | Wallpaper and similar wall coverings, etc. | $562K | 0.2% | -21.9% | $8,413 |
| 4813 | Cigarette paper, whether or not cut to size or in the form of booklets or tubes | $185K | 0.1% | -83.3% | $0 |
| 4807 | Composite paper and paperboard, not surface-coated or impregnated, etc. | $46K | 0.0% | – | $8,230 |
| 4806 | Vegetable parchment, greaseproof papers, etc. | $43K | 0.0% | +270.7% | $2,239 |
See also: Paper and paperboard to all countries · all exports to China