Iron and steel: South Korea exports to China
HS chapter 72 · 철강 · latest month: October 2026
In October 2026, South Korea exported $163.6 million of iron and steel (HS 72) to China, up 8.0% from September 2026 and up 3.3% from October 2025.
Over the 12 months to October 2026, exports of iron and steel (HS 72) to China totalled $1.78 billion, down 5.6% from the 12 months before ($1.88 billion).
China took 7.7% of South Korea's exports of this product over the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 4th of 148 destinations (3rd in the 12 months before).
This product made up 0.8% of South Korea's goods exports to China over the same period.
The average export value in October 2026 was $1.07 per kg of net weight, compared with $1.07 per kg in October 2025.
Imports from China in October 2026 were $453.1 million (up 31.5% from October 2025), leaving a deficit of $289.6 million for the month.
Last 24 months
Monthly figures
| Month | Exports | vs year earlier | Export weight | Export $/kg | Imports | Import weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | $163.6M | +3.3% | 153,331 t | $1.07 | $453.1M | 641,731 t |
| September 2026 | $151.5M | -2.8% | 141,677 t | $1.07 | $409.1M | 564,907 t |
| August 2026 | $146.9M | -2.2% | 128,645 t | $1.14 | $419.4M | 607,175 t |
| July 2026 | $167.9M | +1.1% | 147,639 t | $1.14 | $387.7M | 546,372 t |
| June 2026 | $153.5M | +17.2% | 134,453 t | $1.14 | $413.5M | 578,389 t |
| May 2026 | $152.1M | +1.9% | 134,764 t | $1.13 | $402.9M | 567,541 t |
| April 2026 | $139.3M | -8.3% | 135,662 t | $1.03 | $452.8M | 658,748 t |
| March 2026 | $141.1M | +0.2% | 137,323 t | $1.03 | $460.2M | 683,852 t |
| February 2026 | $120.7M | -18.1% | 115,510 t | $1.04 | $309.1M | 428,499 t |
| January 2026 | $148.6M | -2.8% | 142,376 t | $1.04 | $341.1M | 516,608 t |
| December 2025 | $136.9M | -26.5% | 143,508 t | $0.95 | $393.0M | 570,162 t |
| November 2025 | $157.5M | -19.3% | 140,287 t | $1.12 | $343.5M | 489,927 t |
| October 2025 | $158.3M | -22.9% | 147,523 t | $1.07 | $344.6M | 501,579 t |
| September 2025 | $155.8M | -11.6% | 147,229 t | $1.06 | $474.0M | 708,293 t |
| August 2025 | $150.2M | -14.5% | 154,200 t | $0.97 | $423.3M | 644,911 t |
| July 2025 | $166.0M | -17.6% | 161,263 t | $1.03 | $501.8M | 820,501 t |
| June 2025 | $130.9M | -23.5% | 134,613 t | $0.97 | $403.0M | 596,474 t |
| May 2025 | $149.3M | -20.1% | 138,023 t | $1.08 | $458.1M | 704,038 t |
| April 2025 | $151.9M | -25.1% | 157,580 t | $0.96 | $462.1M | 707,546 t |
| March 2025 | $140.8M | -26.9% | 137,899 t | $1.02 | $408.0M | 616,392 t |
| February 2025 | $147.4M | -8.6% | 149,133 t | $0.99 | $355.7M | 532,689 t |
| January 2025 | $152.9M | -25.2% | 154,456 t | $0.99 | $376.8M | 529,564 t |
| December 2024 | $186.2M | -7.8% | 179,058 t | $1.04 | $382.0M | 545,662 t |
| November 2024 | $195.1M | -13.2% | 170,283 t | $1.15 | $402.2M | 585,484 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
See also: Iron and steel to all countries · all exports to China