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Made in Korea,
shipped to your market.

Korea's export numbers, the documents each market asks for, and what your labels and cartons look like.

National statistics

Korea's cosmetics exports, in numbers

All cosmetics exported from Korea, as published by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) from customs data. These are national figures, not KoreanOEM's sales.

$11.4Bcosmetics exported from Korea in 2025, the highest on record
No. 2cosmetics exporter in the world in 2025, after France
202export destinations in 2025, up from 172 in 2024
74.7%of 2025 exports were skincare

Source: MFDS, 2025 cosmetics production and export statistics, May 22, 2026. The world ranking uses KITA K-STAT data.

Exports by year

US$ billions, 2016 to 2025

Korea's cosmetics exports by year, 2016 to 2025, in US$ billions2016: 4.2, 2017: 4.9, 2018: 6.3, 2019: 6.5, 2020: 7.6, 2021: 9.2, 2022: 8.0, 2023: 8.5, 2024: 10.2, 2025: 11.42016: US$4.2 billion4.22016’162017: US$4.9 billion4.92017’172018: US$6.3 billion6.32018’182019: US$6.5 billion6.52019’192020: US$7.6 billion7.62020’202021: US$9.2 billion9.22021’212022: US$8.0 billion8.02022’222023: US$8.5 billion8.52023’232024: US$10.2 billion10.22024’242025: US$11.4 billion11.42025’25
2025 was the highest year on record. January to June 2026: $7.0 billion, up 27.3% on a year earlier (preliminary). Sources: MFDS, May 22, 2026 (2020 to 2025) and July 2, 2026 (2016 to 2019 and 2026).
Show the numbers
YearUS$ billion
20164.2
20174.9
20186.3
20196.5
20207.6
20219.2
20228.0
20238.5
202410.2
202511.4

Exports by product type, 2025

Share of US$11.4 billion

Korea's cosmetics exports by product type in 2025, share of US$11.4 billionSkincare 74.7% ($8,532M); Makeup (face and lip) 13.2% ($1,505M); Hair care 5.1% ($587M); Cleansers and body wash 4.2% ($479M); Eye makeup 1.7% ($197M); Other types 1.0% ($118M)Skincare: 74.7% of 2025 exports, US$8,532 millionSkincare74.7%$8,532MMakeup (face and lip): 13.2% of 2025 exports, US$1,505 millionMakeup (face and lip)13.2%$1,505MHair care: 5.1% of 2025 exports, US$587 millionHair care5.1%$587MCleansers and body wash: 4.2% of 2025 exports, US$479 millionCleansers and body wash4.2%$479MEye makeup: 1.7% of 2025 exports, US$197 millionEye makeup1.7%$197MOther types: 1.0% of 2025 exports, US$118 millionOther types1.0%$118M
Skincare here is Korea's legal product type for toners, essences, lotions, creams, masks, eye care, body products and makeup removers. In the first half of 2026 skincare exports rose 25.0% while makeup fell 4.2% (preliminary). Sources: MFDS, May 22, 2026 and July 2, 2026.
Show the numbers
Product typeShareUS$ million
Skincare74.7%8,532
Makeup (face and lip)13.2%1,505
Hair care5.1%587
Cleansers and body wash4.2%479
Eye makeup1.7%197
Other types1.0%118

Top 10 destinations, 2025

US$ millions and change on 2024

Top 10 destinations for Korean cosmetics in 2025, US$ millionsUnited States $2,184M (+15.0%); China $2,018M (-19.0%); Japan $1,087M (+4.9%); Hong Kong $698M (+20.4%); Vietnam $476M (-10.0%); Russia $443M (+9.1%); Taiwan $346M (+19.8%); United Arab Emirates $286M (+67.2%); Poland $282M (+111.7%); Thailand $251M (+11.4%)United States: US$2,184 million in 2025, +15.0% on 2024United States$2,184M+15.0%China: US$2,018 million in 2025, -19.0% on 2024China$2,018M-19.0%Japan: US$1,087 million in 2025, +4.9% on 2024Japan$1,087M+4.9%Hong Kong: US$698 million in 2025, +20.4% on 2024Hong Kong$698M+20.4%Vietnam: US$476 million in 2025, -10.0% on 2024Vietnam$476M-10.0%Russia: US$443 million in 2025, +9.1% on 2024Russia$443M+9.1%Taiwan: US$346 million in 2025, +19.8% on 2024Taiwan$346M+19.8%United Arab Emirates: US$286 million in 2025, +67.2% on 2024United Arab Emirates$286M+67.2%Poland: US$282 million in 2025, +111.7% on 2024Poland$282M+111.7%Thailand: US$251 million in 2025, +11.4% on 2024Thailand$251M+11.4%
In 2025 the US passed China to become the largest destination for the first time. The top 10 took 70.7% of all exports. Source: MFDS, May 22, 2026 (Korea Customs Service and KITA data).
Show the numbers
DestinationUS$ millionvs 2024
United States2,184+15.0%
China2,018-19.0%
Japan1,087+4.9%
Hong Kong698+20.4%
Vietnam476-10.0%
Russia443+9.1%
Taiwan346+19.8%
United Arab Emirates286+67.2%
Poland282+111.7%
Thailand251+11.4%

Fastest growing markets, 2025

Change on 2024, the 10 fastest of the 20 largest destinations

The 10 fastest growing of the 20 largest destinations, 2025 compared with 2024Poland +111.7% ($282M); France +73.2% ($134M); United Arab Emirates +67.2% ($286M); United Kingdom +53.8% ($230M); Canada +52.2% ($186M); Australia +48.7% ($166M); Netherlands +42.8% ($138M); Kazakhstan +24.9% ($122M); Indonesia +23.1% ($168M); Philippines +22.9% ($112M)Poland: +111.7% on 2024, US$282 million in 2025Poland+111.7%$282MFrance: +73.2% on 2024, US$134 million in 2025France+73.2%$134MUnited Arab Emirates: +67.2% on 2024, US$286 million in 2025United Arab Emirates+67.2%$286MUnited Kingdom: +53.8% on 2024, US$230 million in 2025United Kingdom+53.8%$230MCanada: +52.2% on 2024, US$186 million in 2025Canada+52.2%$186MAustralia: +48.7% on 2024, US$166 million in 2025Australia+48.7%$166MNetherlands: +42.8% on 2024, US$138 million in 2025Netherlands+42.8%$138MKazakhstan: +24.9% on 2024, US$122 million in 2025Kazakhstan+24.9%$122MIndonesia: +23.1% on 2024, US$168 million in 2025Indonesia+23.1%$168MPhilippines: +22.9% on 2024, US$112 million in 2025Philippines+22.9%$112M
In the first half of 2026 the Netherlands (+220.4%) and the UK (+150.6%) grew fastest in the top 10 (preliminary). Sources: MFDS, May 22, 2026 and July 2, 2026.
Show the numbers
Destinationvs 2024US$ million
Poland+111.7%282
France+73.2%134
United Arab Emirates+67.2%286
United Kingdom+53.8%230
Canada+52.2%186
Australia+48.7%166
Netherlands+42.8%138
Kazakhstan+24.9%122
Indonesia+23.1%168
Philippines+22.9%112
Sources (checked September 28, 2026)
  1. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), press release on 2025 cosmetics production, export and import statistics, May 22, 2026 (in Korean). National approved statistics; export values from the Korea Customs Service and KITA, world ranking from KITA K-STAT.
  2. MFDS, press release on first half 2026 cosmetics exports, with the 2012 to 2025 annual series, July 2, 2026 (in Korean, 2026 figures preliminary).
  3. The Korea Herald, K-beauty exports cross $11b milestone in 2025, January 11, 2026 (English report on the preliminary 2025 figures).
  4. Korean cosmetic product types: Ministry of Government Legislation, Easy Law, cosmetic types (in Korean, as of August 15, 2026).

What we prepare for your market

The filings, files and label text for where you sell, planned into your quote and your timeline.

United States

FDA MoCRA

We prepare
The FDA product listing and a label review. Our factory is FDA registered.
You need
A responsible person named on the label: your company, your importer or our Atlanta entity.
Label
English, with a US address, US phone number or website for adverse event reports.
European Union

CPNP notification

We prepare
The product information file with the safety report (CPSR), stability and challenge tests, and the CPNP data.
You need
An EU Responsible Person established in the EU. We can introduce partners.
Label
The language of each country where you sell. Ingredient names stay in the EU common names.
United Kingdom

SCPN notification

We prepare
The SCPN notification, from the same test set as the EU file.
You need
A UK Responsible Person with a UK address.
Label
The same items as the EU label, with the UK Responsible Person's name and address.
Southeast Asia

ASEAN notification

We prepare
Files for Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia, with Halal certification where required.
You need
A local company in each country that notifies the product and is named on the label.
Label
Language rules differ by country. Singapore requires English.
Middle East

GCC registration

We prepare
Saudi SFDA and UAE registration files, and Halal certification of the formula and filling on request.
You need
A local importer who registers the product in each country.
Label
Arabic.
Japan

Japanese labeling

We prepare
Label text in Japanese with the full ingredient list, and a quasi-drug review where actives need it.
You need
A Japanese company licensed to market cosmetics, usually your importer.
Label
Japanese.

Sunscreen is an over-the-counter drug in the US and is quoted case by case. Canada, Australia and other markets are on certifications by country. Official rules: FDA MoCRA, EU Regulation 1223/2009, UK guidance, Singapore HSA, Japan (trade.gov).

Shipping from Korea

About 5 to 10 daysby air
About 4 to 6 weeksby sea

Freight is priced in your written quote, next to documents and tests.

We export our own line tooOur own skincare line is sold in the US. Our team filed its FDA MoCRA listings, uses a KORUS certificate of origin and agreed the HS codes with our customs broker before the first shipment. See our certifications.

What you receive

  • Full INCI list for every product
  • Label text written for your market
  • Certificate of analysis per batch
  • Safety data sheet
  • Certificate of origin (KORUS form for the US)
  • Commercial invoice and packing list with HS codes

What your labels and cartons look like

Example layouts with placeholder values, drawn to the general rules. We write the final text for your product, market and claims.

United StatesExample layout
Principal display panel (front)

YOUR BRAND

Hydrating Face Serum1

Net 1.01 fl oz (30 mL)2

Information panel (back or side)

Directions: Apply 2 to 3 drops to clean skin.

Caution: Avoid contact with eyes. Stop use if irritation occurs.3

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, …4

Distributed by YOUR BRAND LLC, 100 Main Street, Your City, ST 000005

Questions or comments: www.example.com6

Made in Korea7

  1. Statement of identity on the front panel (21 CFR 701.11)
  2. Net quantity in the bottom 30% of the front panel, in US units; metric may be added (21 CFR 701.13)
  3. Warnings or cautions where the product needs them (21 CFR 740)
  4. Ingredients in descending order of predominance (21 CFR 701.3)
  5. Name and place of business, with "Distributed by" when you are not the maker (21 CFR 701.12)
  6. A US address, US phone number or website for adverse event reports (FD&C Act 609(a), added by MoCRA)
  7. Country of origin in English (Tariff Act of 1930)

Sources: FDA Cosmetics Labeling Guide, 21 U.S.C. 364e.

European UnionExample layout
Front

YOUR BRAND

Hydrating face serum6

30 ml2

Back

Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, …7

Precautions: Avoid contact with eyes.4

12M3Batch 0000005

YOUR BRAND EU, 1 Example Street, 0000 Your City, EU member state1

Made in Korea1

  1. Name and address of the EU Responsible Person, and the country of origin for imported products (Art. 19(1)(a))
  2. Nominal content by weight or volume (Art. 19(1)(b))
  3. Period after opening symbol when the product keeps more than 30 months, otherwise a "best used before the end of" date (Art. 19(1)(c))
  4. Particular precautions for use (Art. 19(1)(d))
  5. Batch number (Art. 19(1)(e))
  6. Function, unless clear from the presentation (Art. 19(1)(f))
  7. List headed "Ingredients", in descending order of weight, in the EU common ingredient names; it may appear on the outer box only (Art. 19(1)(g))

Items 2, 3, 4 and 6 go in the language each country requires (Art. 19(5)). Source: Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Article 19.

Export cartonExample layout
7

YOUR BRAND LLC1

Dest: YOUR PORT, YOUR COUNTRY

PO No. 00002

Item: Hydrating face serum 30 ml

Lot: 000000

Qty: 000 pcs3

N.W. 00.0 kg / G.W. 00.0 kg4

Size: 00 x 00 x 00 cm

C/No. 1 of 005

Made in Korea6

  1. Buyer or consignee mark and destination
  2. Order number, product name and size, lot number
  3. Quantity per carton
  4. Net and gross weight, carton size
  5. Carton number out of the total
  6. Country of origin
  7. Handling marks, such as this way up and keep dry

No single law sets these fields. Your forwarder or importer may ask for more, and each carton should match its line on the packing list.

Export questions

Are the export figures on this page KoreanOEM's own sales?
No. The charts show national statistics for all cosmetics exported from Korea, published by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety from customs data. They describe the market, not our company.
What do I need to sell Korean skincare in the US?
Under MoCRA, each product is listed with the FDA by the responsible person named on the label, and the factory must be registered with the FDA. The label also needs a US address, US phone number or website for adverse event reports. Our factory is FDA registered and we prepare the listing data.
Do I need a Responsible Person for the EU or the UK?
Yes. The EU requires a Responsible Person established in the EU, and Great Britain requires one with a UK address, and their name and address go on the label. We prepare the product file and can introduce partners if you have no company there.
How long does shipping from Korea take?
About 5 to 10 days by air and about 4 to 6 weeks by sea. Freight is priced in your written quote.
Which documents come with each shipment?
A certificate of analysis per batch, a safety data sheet, the full INCI list, a certificate of origin (KORUS form for the US), and a commercial invoice and packing list with HS codes.
Which Korean products sell most abroad?
Skincare. By Korea's national data it made up 74.7% of cosmetics exports in 2025, against 13.2% for makeup, and in the first half of 2026 skincare exports grew 25.0% (preliminary).
Planning a launch abroad?

Tell us the product, quantity and market. You get a written quote within 1 business day, with documents and freight itemized.

Get a free quote