Paper and paperboard: South Korea exports to Japan
HS chapter 48 · 종이와 판지, 제지용 펄프ㆍ종이ㆍ판지의 제품 · latest month: October 2026
In October 2026, South Korea exported $10.2 million of paper and paperboard (HS 48) to Japan, up 17.4% from September 2026 and up 8.7% from October 2025.
Over the 12 months to October 2026, exports of paper and paperboard (HS 48) to Japan totalled $123.3 million, up 5.5% from the 12 months before ($116.9 million).
Japan took 4.6% of South Korea's exports of this product over the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 5th of 189 destinations.
This product made up 0.4% of South Korea's goods exports to Japan over the same period.
The average export value in October 2026 was $1.32 per kg of net weight, compared with $1.11 per kg in October 2025.
Imports from Japan in October 2026 were $27.3 million (up 13.3% from October 2025), leaving a deficit of $17.0 million for the month.
Last 24 months
Monthly figures
| Month | Exports | vs year earlier | Export weight | Export $/kg | Imports | Import weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | $10.2M | +8.7% | 7,731 t | $1.32 | $27.3M | 20,898 t |
| September 2026 | $8.7M | -16.2% | 6,613 t | $1.32 | $24.1M | 20,867 t |
| August 2026 | $9.1M | -4.1% | 8,094 t | $1.12 | $22.0M | 19,335 t |
| July 2026 | $10.2M | -3.5% | 8,994 t | $1.14 | $24.4M | 22,477 t |
| June 2026 | $11.9M | +14.3% | 10,754 t | $1.11 | $25.1M | 23,431 t |
| May 2026 | $10.0M | +6.8% | 8,419 t | $1.19 | $24.8M | 20,722 t |
| April 2026 | $11.0M | +11.7% | 8,963 t | $1.23 | $28.7M | 25,413 t |
| March 2026 | $10.2M | +19.9% | 8,219 t | $1.24 | $29.8M | 24,212 t |
| February 2026 | $9.5M | -6.4% | 8,016 t | $1.18 | $25.5M | 19,894 t |
| January 2026 | $10.0M | +2.4% | 7,707 t | $1.30 | $21.3M | 16,083 t |
| December 2025 | $8.6M | -1.1% | 6,606 t | $1.31 | $25.8M | 20,221 t |
| November 2025 | $13.8M | +34.5% | 7,324 t | $1.88 | $23.0M | 17,823 t |
| October 2025 | $9.4M | -6.9% | 8,459 t | $1.11 | $24.1M | 19,893 t |
| September 2025 | $10.4M | -0.3% | 8,249 t | $1.26 | $29.4M | 23,396 t |
| August 2025 | $9.4M | +1.9% | 7,456 t | $1.27 | $21.6M | 16,892 t |
| July 2025 | $10.6M | +3.4% | 8,842 t | $1.20 | $25.9M | 20,772 t |
| June 2025 | $10.4M | +13.5% | 8,641 t | $1.20 | $24.7M | 19,804 t |
| May 2025 | $9.4M | -6.8% | 7,511 t | $1.25 | $28.1M | 23,839 t |
| April 2025 | $9.9M | -5.1% | 8,140 t | $1.21 | $25.6M | 21,392 t |
| March 2025 | $8.5M | -7.8% | 6,677 t | $1.28 | $27.0M | 23,857 t |
| February 2025 | $10.1M | +18.3% | 8,118 t | $1.24 | $27.2M | 22,418 t |
| January 2025 | $9.8M | -21.7% | 9,050 t | $1.08 | $24.1M | 20,097 t |
| December 2024 | $8.7M | -20.9% | 7,437 t | $1.17 | $25.5M | 20,231 t |
| November 2024 | $10.2M | -14.2% | 8,149 t | $1.26 | $23.0M | 19,341 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 Japan
| Code | Product | Exports, 12 months | Share | vs 12 months before | October 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4810 | Paper and paperboard coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances | $42.3M | 34.3% | -1.6% | $3.6M |
| 4819 | Paper and paperboard cartons, boxes, bags and packing containers | $31.4M | 25.4% | +15.0% | $2.5M |
| 4823 | Other paper and paperboard articles, cut to size | $17.7M | 14.4% | +14.0% | $1.9M |
| 4811 | Paper and paperboard, coated, impregnated or surface-decorated | $10.1M | 8.2% | -9.2% | $1.0M |
| 4809 | Carbon and self-copy paper, in rolls or large sheets | $7.4M | 6.0% | -2.4% | $446K |
| 4821 | Paper or paperboard labels of all kinds, whether or not printed | $4.2M | 3.4% | +339.7% | $101K |
| 4820 | Registers, account books, note books, order books, receipt books, letter pads, etc. | $2.6M | 2.1% | +0.8% | $106K |
| 4818 | Toilet paper and similar paper, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres, etc. | $1.7M | 1.4% | -29.8% | $195K |
| 4803 | Toilet or facial tissue stock, etc. | $1.6M | 1.3% | +9.3% | $124K |
| 4804 | Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, etc. | $1.2M | 1.0% | -21.9% | $21K |
| 4805 | Other uncoated paper and paperboard | $897K | 0.7% | -32.1% | $69K |
| 4816 | Carbon and self-copy paper, cut to size; duplicator stencils | $672K | 0.5% | +96.5% | $108K |
| 4814 | Wallpaper and similar wall coverings, etc. | $373K | 0.3% | -10.5% | $18K |
| 4817 | Envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, etc. | $348K | 0.3% | -26.8% | $28K |
| 4822 | Bobbins, spools, cops and similar supports of paper pulp, paper or paperboard, etc. | $312K | 0.3% | -2.6% | $17K |
| 4802 | Uncoated paper and paperboard, of a kind used for writing, etc. | $303K | 0.2% | +13.4% | $19K |
| 4801 | Newsprint, in rolls or sheets | $212K | 0.2% | -24.8% | $29K |
| 4808 | Paper and paperboard, corrugated, creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, etc. | $60K | 0.0% | +20.5% | $21K |
| 4807 | Composite paper and paperboard, not surface-coated or impregnated, etc. | $5,433 | 0.0% | – | $353 |
| 4806 | Vegetable parchment, greaseproof papers, etc. | $3,010 | 0.0% | – | $629 |
See also: Paper and paperboard to all countries · all exports to Japan