Printed books, newspapers and pictures: South Korea exports to China
HS chapter 49 · 인쇄서적ㆍ신문ㆍ회화ㆍ그 밖의 인쇄물, 수제(手製)문서ㆍ타자문서ㆍ도면 · latest month: October 2026
In October 2026, South Korea exported $5.8 million of printed books, newspapers and pictures (HS 49) to China, down 21.0% from September 2026 and down 37.2% from October 2025.
Over the 12 months to October 2026, exports of printed books, newspapers and pictures (HS 49) to China totalled $72.5 million, down 33.6% from the 12 months before ($109.3 million).
China took 19.2% of South Korea's exports of this product over the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 2nd of 199 destinations.
This product made up 0.0% of South Korea's goods exports to China over the same period.
The average export value in October 2026 was $20.48 per kg of net weight, compared with $21.31 per kg in October 2025.
Imports from China in October 2026 were $9.3 million (up 37.3% from October 2025), leaving a deficit of $3.5 million for the month.
Last 24 months
Monthly figures
| Month | Exports | vs year earlier | Export weight | Export $/kg | Imports | Import weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | $5.8M | -37.2% | 283 t | $20.48 | $9.3M | 1,092 t |
| September 2026 | $7.3M | -39.5% | 404 t | $18.17 | $8.7M | 1,071 t |
| August 2026 | $3.9M | +5.1% | 227 t | $17.38 | $8.7M | 981 t |
| July 2026 | $5.2M | -48.5% | 172 t | $30.09 | $9.7M | 849 t |
| June 2026 | $5.2M | -47.1% | 291 t | $17.73 | $7.8M | 836 t |
| May 2026 | $7.0M | -31.4% | 374 t | $18.77 | $7.4M | 992 t |
| April 2026 | $8.1M | -22.0% | 519 t | $15.66 | $8.2M | 1,151 t |
| March 2026 | $4.2M | -53.1% | 300 t | $13.94 | $6.1M | 642 t |
| February 2026 | $3.9M | -26.0% | 263 t | $14.92 | $6.4M | 753 t |
| January 2026 | $10.2M | +238.6% | 445 t | $22.80 | $7.5M | 879 t |
| December 2025 | $5.8M | -54.4% | 528 t | $11.08 | $10.2M | 969 t |
| November 2025 | $5.8M | -57.2% | 262 t | $22.27 | $7.2M | 838 t |
| October 2025 | $9.2M | +6.6% | 434 t | $21.31 | $6.8M | 849 t |
| September 2025 | $12.1M | +49.2% | 385 t | $31.54 | $7.2M | 782 t |
| August 2025 | $3.7M | +66.4% | 319 t | $11.74 | $8.2M | 836 t |
| July 2025 | $10.1M | -5.7% | 438 t | $23.03 | $7.1M | 887 t |
| June 2025 | $9.7M | +80.7% | 519 t | $18.77 | $7.9M | 1,004 t |
| May 2025 | $10.2M | +14.6% | 450 t | $22.71 | $9.0M | 1,036 t |
| April 2025 | $10.4M | -3.2% | 328 t | $31.75 | $8.9M | 889 t |
| March 2025 | $8.9M | +72.4% | 351 t | $25.44 | $8.4M | 898 t |
| February 2025 | $5.3M | -29.0% | 369 t | $14.39 | $5.4M | 617 t |
| January 2025 | $3.0M | +44.5% | 209 t | $14.32 | $7.0M | 903 t |
| December 2024 | $12.8M | +132.2% | 413 t | $31.04 | $7.5M | 994 t |
| November 2024 | $13.6M | +1.2% | 567 t | $24.02 | $6.5M | 780 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4901 | Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, etc. | $54.7M | 75.5% | -37.3% | $4.5M |
| 4911 | Other printed matter, including printed pictures and photographs | $12.3M | 17.0% | -27.1% | $467K |
| 4909 | Printed or illustrated postcards, etc. | $4.2M | 5.7% | +24.3% | $594K |
| 4908 | Transfers (decalcomanias) | $711K | 1.0% | -19.0% | $72K |
| 4910 | Calendars of any kind, printed, including calendar blocks | $448K | 0.6% | -6.5% | $170K |
| 4902 | Newspapers, journals and periodicals, etc. | $119K | 0.2% | -30.2% | $10K |
| 4906 | Plans and drawings for architectural, engineering, industrial, commercial, etc. | $25K | 0.0% | – | $839 |
| 4907 | Unused postage, etc. | $21K | 0.0% | -85.9% | $0 |
| 4905 | Maps and hydrographic or similar charts of all kinds including atlases, etc. | $2,947 | 0.0% | – | $312 |
| 4903 | Children's picture, drawing or colouring books | $1,842 | 0.0% | -87.1% | $0 |
See also: Printed books, newspapers and pictures to all countries · all exports to China