What South Korea buys from China.
South Korea imported USD 132bn of manufactured and processed goods from China in 2024, down 6 per cent on 2022. That is 36 per cent of everything South Korea imported in these lines, and China is its largest source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where China dominates, and where another country ships the same line for less a tonne.
Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices.
The largest lines on the lane, by 2024 value.
Each line shows what South Korea paid China for it at the border, China's share of everything South Korea imported in that line, how it changed since 2022, and the customs unit value per tonne where the weight is recorded. Together they are 46 per cent of the lane.
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1
Electronic integrated circuits: memoriesHS 854232
Share of South Korea's imports81 per cent, 51 source countriesChangedown 14 per cent on 2022 (USD 19bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 18.5m a tonne, 865 tonnesUSD 16bnin 2024 -
2
Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)HS 850760
Share of South Korea's imports85 per cent, 55 source countriesChangedown 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 5.4bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 26,334 a tonne, 153,308 tonnesUSD 4.0bnin 2024 -
3
Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a displayHS 847130
Share of South Korea's imports67 per cent, 84 source countriesChangedown 31 per cent on 2022 (USD 3.3bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 298,829 a tonne, 7,539 tonnesUSD 2.3bnin 2024 -
4
Machinery: parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the like) of the machines of heading no. 8471HS 847330
Share of South Korea's imports38 per cent, 100 source countriesChangeup 62 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.4bn in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 2.3bnin 2024 -
5
Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of liquid crystals, with drivers or control circuitsHS 852491
Share of South Korea's imports80 per cent, 56 source countriesChangeup 13 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.7bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 69,392 a tonne, 27,208 tonnesUSD 1.9bnin 2024 -
6
Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or...HS 854231
Share of South Korea's imports8 per cent, 68 source countriesChangedown 26 per cent on 2022 (USD 2.5bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 2.1m a tonne, 889 tonnesUSD 1.9bnin 2024 -
7
Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890
Share of South Korea's imports93 per cent, 54 source countriesChangeup 104 per cent on 2022 (USD 860m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,784 a tonne, 984,366 tonnesUSD 1.8bnin 2024 -
8
Insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or shipsHS 854430
Share of South Korea's imports54 per cent, 70 source countriesChangedown 13 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.8bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 20,149 a tonne, 78,615 tonnesUSD 1.6bnin 2024 -
9
Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713
Share of South Korea's imports67 per cent, 99 source countriesChangeup 7 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.4bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1.1m a tonne, 1,296 tonnesUSD 1.5bnin 2024 -
10
Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542HS 854239
Share of South Korea's imports15 per cent, 95 source countriesChangedown 35 per cent on 2022 (USD 2.1bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1.1m a tonne, 1,204 tonnesUSD 1.4bnin 2024 -
11
Lithium oxide and hydroxideHS 282520
Share of South Korea's imports85 per cent, 19 source countriesChangedown 58 per cent on 2022 (USD 3.2bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 16,166 a tonne, 83,863 tonnesUSD 1.4bnin 2024 -
12
Circuits: printedHS 853400
Share of South Korea's imports43 per cent, 70 source countriesChangedown 6 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.3bn in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 1.2bnin 2024 -
13
Granite: articles thereof, (other than simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface)HS 680293
Share of South Korea's imports99 per cent, 21 source countriesChangeup 153 per cent on 2022 (USD 458m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 949 a tonne, 1,219,770 tonnesUSD 1.2bnin 2024 -
14
Electrical static convertersHS 850440
Share of South Korea's imports48 per cent, 95 source countriesChangeup 34 per cent on 2022 (USD 855m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 41,406 a tonne, 27,664 tonnesUSD 1.1bnin 2024 -
15
Vehicles: with only electric motor for propulsionHS 870380
Share of South Korea's imports59 per cent, 28 source countriesChangefrom USD 168m in 2022Unit valueUSD 17,819 a tonne, 62,100 tonnesUSD 1.1bnin 2024 -
16
Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other...HS 851762
Share of South Korea's imports43 per cent, 92 source countriesChangedown 41 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.8bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 129,532 a tonne, 8,092 tonnesUSD 1.0bnin 2024 -
17
Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690
Share of South Korea's imports53 per cent, 109 source countriesChangeup 10 per cent on 2022 (USD 917m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 2,698 a tonne, 375,105 tonnesUSD 1.0bnin 2024 -
18
Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of man-made fibres, knitted or crochetedHS 611030
Share of South Korea's imports77 per cent, 90 source countriesChangeup 162 per cent on 2022 (USD 373m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 33,729 a tonne, 29,008 tonnesUSD 978min 2024 -
19
Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids: n.e.c. in heading no. 2841HS 284190
Share of South Korea's imports86 per cent, 35 source countriesChangefrom USD 148m in 2022Unit valueUSD 23,968 a tonne, 39,423 tonnesUSD 945min 2024 -
20
Units of automatic data processing machines: processing units other than those of item no. 8471.41 or 8471.49, whether or not containing in the same housing one or two...HS 847150
Share of South Korea's imports35 per cent, 69 source countriesChangedown 35 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.4bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 198,922 a tonne, 4,447 tonnesUSD 885min 2024 -
21
Chemical elements: doped for use in electronics, in the form of discs, wafers or similar forms: chemical compounds doped for use in electronicsHS 381800
Share of South Korea's imports34 per cent, 42 source countriesChangeup 9 per cent on 2022 (USD 775m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 844min 2024 -
22
Electric motors: of an output not exceeding 37.5WHS 850110
Share of South Korea's imports47 per cent, 66 source countriesChangeup 220 per cent on 2022 (USD 263m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 49,024 a tonne, 17,172 tonnesUSD 842min 2024 -
23
Reception and transmission apparatus: for use with the apparatus of heading no. 8524 to 8528, excluding aerials and aerial reflectorsHS 852990
Share of South Korea's imports39 per cent, 83 source countriesChangedown 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 828m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 793min 2024 -
24
Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of synthetic fibres (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620463
Share of South Korea's imports77 per cent, 80 source countriesChangeup 82 per cent on 2022 (USD 435m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 50,526 a tonne, 15,646 tonnesUSD 791min 2024 -
25
Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 760612
Share of South Korea's imports65 per cent, 43 source countriesChangedown 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 865m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,556 a tonne, 214,616 tonnesUSD 763min 2024 -
26
Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39HS 392690
Share of South Korea's imports48 per cent, 123 source countriesChangeup 10 per cent on 2022 (USD 692m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 7,896 a tonne, 96,508 tonnesUSD 762min 2024 -
27
Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or...HS 950300
Share of South Korea's imports84 per cent, 96 source countriesChangedown 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 845m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 11,887 a tonne, 58,473 tonnesUSD 695min 2024 -
28
Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not corrugated), plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically)HS 721049
Share of South Korea's imports86 per cent, 26 source countriesChangeup 14 per cent on 2022 (USD 590m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 661 a tonne, 1,013,521 tonnesUSD 670min 2024 -
29
Iron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness exceeding 10mmHS 720851
Share of South Korea's imports62 per cent, 18 source countriesChangeup 37 per cent on 2022 (USD 485m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 641 a tonne, 1,039,100 tonnesUSD 666min 2024 -
30
Seats: with wooden frames, upholstered, (excluding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary or barber furniture)HS 940161
Share of South Korea's imports91 per cent, 54 source countriesChangeup 135 per cent on 2022 (USD 234m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 7,998 a tonne, 68,724 tonnesUSD 550min 2024 -
31
Cases and containers: n.e.c. in heading 4202, with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materialsHS 420292
Share of South Korea's imports68 per cent, 99 source countriesChangeup 33 per cent on 2022 (USD 373m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 495min 2024 -
32
Chemical products, mixtures and preparations: n.e.c. heading 3824HS 382499
Share of South Korea's imports30 per cent, 76 source countriesChangedown 11 per cent on 2022 (USD 558m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,769 a tonne, 279,340 tonnesUSD 494min 2024 -
33
Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a...HS 853710
Share of South Korea's imports27 per cent, 100 source countriesChangeup 5 per cent on 2022 (USD 461m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 45,475 a tonne, 10,656 tonnesUSD 485min 2024 -
34
Vacuum cleaners, with self-contained electric motor, of a power not exceeding 1,500 W and having a dust bag or other receptacle capacity not exceeding 20LHS 850811
Share of South Korea's imports78 per cent, 41 source countriesChangeup 86 per cent on 2022 (USD 257m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 24,919 a tonne, 19,182 tonnesUSD 478min 2024 -
35
Units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70HS 847180
Share of South Korea's imports71 per cent, 66 source countriesChangedown 13 per cent on 2022 (USD 528m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 269,824 a tonne, 1,698 tonnesUSD 458min 2024 -
36
Vehicle parts: gear boxes and parts thereofHS 870840
Share of South Korea's imports36 per cent, 61 source countriesChangeup 102 per cent on 2022 (USD 223m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 12,955 a tonne, 34,750 tonnesUSD 450min 2024 -
37
Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances: for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valvesHS 848180
Share of South Korea's imports28 per cent, 90 source countriesChangeup 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 427m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 442min 2024 -
38
Semiconductor media: solid-state non-volatile storage devices, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37HS 852351
Share of South Korea's imports30 per cent, 62 source countriesChangedown 51 per cent on 2022 (USD 890m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 493,663 a tonne, 883 tonnesUSD 436min 2024 -
39
Units of automatic data processing machines: input or output units, whether or not containing storage units in the same housingHS 847160
Share of South Korea's imports83 per cent, 77 source countriesChangedown 15 per cent on 2022 (USD 506m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 45,848 a tonne, 9,408 tonnesUSD 431min 2024 -
40
Air conditioning machines: with motor driven fan and elements for temperature control, parts thereofHS 841590
Share of South Korea's imports70 per cent, 71 source countriesChangeup 11 per cent on 2022 (USD 388m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 7,679 a tonne, 56,004 tonnesUSD 430min 2024 -
41
Electrical machines and apparatus: having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter, n.e.c. in heading no. 8543HS 854370
Share of South Korea's imports33 per cent, 92 source countriesChangedown 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 417m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 407min 2024 -
42
Mechano-therapy appliances: massage apparatus and psychological aptitude-testing apparatusHS 901910
Share of South Korea's imports96 per cent, 59 source countriesChangedown 11 per cent on 2022 (USD 454m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 403min 2024 -
43
Engines: reciprocating piston engines, of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87, of a cylinder capacity exceeding 1000ccHS 840734
Share of South Korea's imports35 per cent, 31 source countriesChangefrom USD 2m in 2022Unit valueUSD 24,862 a tonne, 16,149 tonnesUSD 401min 2024 -
44
Compressors: of a kind used in refrigerating equipmentHS 841430
Share of South Korea's imports66 per cent, 60 source countriesChangedown 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 417m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 6,331 a tonne, 60,890 tonnesUSD 385min 2024 -
45
Monitors: other than cathode-ray tube: capable of directly connecting to and designed for use with an automatic data processing machine of heading 84.71HS 852852
Share of South Korea's imports66 per cent, 57 source countriesChangedown 39 per cent on 2022 (USD 624m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 380min 2024 -
46
Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted with connectorsHS 854442
Share of South Korea's imports43 per cent, 97 source countriesChangedown 6 per cent on 2022 (USD 400m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 16,734 a tonne, 22,520 tonnesUSD 377min 2024 -
47
Vehicle parts: road wheels and parts and accessories thereofHS 870870
Share of South Korea's imports90 per cent, 57 source countriesChangeup 20 per cent on 2022 (USD 313m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,894 a tonne, 96,285 tonnesUSD 375min 2024 -
48
Communication apparatus: parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kindsHS 851779
Share of South Korea's imports13 per cent, 88 source countriesChangedown 43 per cent on 2022 (USD 653m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 200,632 a tonne, 1,841 tonnesUSD 369min 2024 -
49
Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000ccHS 870323
Share of South Korea's imports12 per cent, 49 source countriesChangefrom USD 1m in 2022Unit valueUSD 11,224 a tonne, 31,751 tonnesUSD 356min 2024 -
50
Polyamides: polyamide-6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12, in primary formsHS 390810
Share of South Korea's imports71 per cent, 36 source countriesChangeup 31 per cent on 2022 (USD 266m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 2,062 a tonne, 168,393 tonnesUSD 347min 2024
The lines that grew most since 2022.
Lines worth at least USD 5m in 2022, ranked by growth to 2024 in current dollars. A fast rise can be a new product, a shift away from another source, or a price change; the record does not say which.
- Copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension is 6mm or lessHS 740819USD 119m in 2024, from USD 14m in 2022. China supplies 98 per cent of the line.
- Graphite or other carbon based preparations: in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufacturesHS 380190USD 61m in 2024, from USD 8m in 2022. China supplies 86 per cent of the line.
- Electrical machines and apparatus: for electroplating, electrolysis or electrophoresisHS 854330USD 37m in 2024, from USD 5m in 2022. China supplies 77 per cent of the line.
- Insulated electric conductors: winding wire, of copperHS 854411USD 94m in 2024, from USD 14m in 2022. China supplies 83 per cent of the line.
- Vehicles: with only electric motor for propulsionHS 870380USD 1.1bn in 2024, from USD 168m in 2022. China supplies 59 per cent of the line.
- Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids: n.e.c. in heading no. 2841HS 284190USD 945m in 2024, from USD 148m in 2022. China supplies 86 per cent of the line.
- Apparatus based on the use of alpha, beta, gamma or other ionising radiations, including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus: for medical, surgical, dental or...HS 902221USD 28m in 2024, up 379 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 53 per cent of the line.
- Lustres: liquid lustres and similar preparationsHS 320730USD 27m in 2024, up 361 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 28 per cent of the line.
- Tissue, towel, napkin stock or similar: for household or sanitary use, cellulose, wadding webs of cellulose fibres, in rolls exceeding 36cm in width or rectangular...HS 480300USD 76m in 2024, up 339 per cent on 2022 (USD 17m in 2022). China supplies 43 per cent of the line.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, n.e.c. in heading no. 7214, other than of rectangular cross-sectionHS 721499USD 195m in 2024, up 293 per cent on 2022 (USD 50m in 2022). China supplies 99 per cent of the line.
- Nightdresses and pyjamas: women's or girls', of man-made fibres (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620822USD 142m in 2024, up 281 per cent on 2022 (USD 37m in 2022). China supplies 98 per cent of the line.
- Ignition or starting equipment: generators n.e.c. in heading no. 8511, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion enginesHS 851150USD 39m in 2024, up 269 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022). China supplies 48 per cent of the line.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with aluminium zinc-alloysHS 721061USD 209m in 2024, up 265 per cent on 2022 (USD 57m in 2022). China supplies 99 per cent of the line.
- Track suits and other garments n.e.c.: women's or girls', of textile materials n.e.c. in item no. 6211.4 (not knitted or crocheted)HS 621149USD 42m in 2024, up 263 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022). China supplies 30 per cent of the line.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel: containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, of rectangular (other than square)...HS 720712USD 60m in 2024, up 262 per cent on 2022 (USD 17m in 2022). China supplies 12 per cent of the line.
- Shawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and the like: knitted or crochetedHS 611710USD 75m in 2024, up 262 per cent on 2022 (USD 21m in 2022). China supplies 84 per cent of the line.
- Paper and paperboard: labels or all kinds, printedHS 482110USD 26m in 2024, up 255 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). China supplies 66 per cent of the line.
- Generators: producer gas, water gas, acetylene gas and similar water process gas generators, with or without their purifiersHS 840510USD 24m in 2024, up 235 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). China supplies 38 per cent of the line.
- Lamps and light fittings: parts thereof, of plasticsHS 940592USD 28m in 2024, up 235 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). China supplies 96 per cent of the line.
- Machinery parts: not containing electrical connectors, insulators, coils, contacts or other electrical features, n.e.c. in chapter 84, other than ships' or boats'...HS 848790USD 65m in 2024, up 233 per cent on 2022 (USD 19m in 2022). China supplies 29 per cent of the line.
Lines where China supplies 60 per cent or more.
The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where China ships at least 60 per cent of what South Korea imports. This is supply concentration: how much of the line depends on one source country.
- Electronic integrated circuits: memoriesHS 85423281 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 16bn; 51 source countries in all.
- Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)HS 85076085 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 4.0bn; 55 source countries in all.
- Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a displayHS 84713067 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 2.3bn; 84 source countries in all.
- Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of liquid crystals, with drivers or control circuitsHS 85249180 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 1.9bn; 56 source countries in all.
- Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 73089093 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 1.8bn; 54 source countries in all.
- Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 85171367 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 1.5bn; 99 source countries in all.
- Lithium oxide and hydroxideHS 28252085 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 1.4bn; 19 source countries in all.
- Granite: articles thereof, (other than simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface)HS 68029399 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 1.2bn; 21 source countries in all.
- Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of man-made fibres, knitted or crochetedHS 61103077 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 978m; 90 source countries in all.
- Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids: n.e.c. in heading no. 2841HS 28419086 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 945m; 35 source countries in all.
- Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of synthetic fibres (not knitted or crocheted)HS 62046377 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 791m; 80 source countries in all.
- Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 76061265 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 763m; 43 source countries in all.
- Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or...HS 95030084 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 695m; 96 source countries in all.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not corrugated), plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically)HS 72104986 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 670m; 26 source countries in all.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness exceeding 10mmHS 72085162 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 666m; 18 source countries in all.
- Seats: with wooden frames, upholstered, (excluding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary or barber furniture)HS 94016191 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 550m; 54 source countries in all.
- Cases and containers: n.e.c. in heading 4202, with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materialsHS 42029268 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 495m; 99 source countries in all.
- Vacuum cleaners, with self-contained electric motor, of a power not exceeding 1,500 W and having a dust bag or other receptacle capacity not exceeding 20LHS 85081178 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 478m; 41 source countries in all.
- Units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70HS 84718071 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 458m; 66 source countries in all.
- Units of automatic data processing machines: input or output units, whether or not containing storage units in the same housingHS 84716083 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 431m; 77 source countries in all.
Where another country ships the same line for at least 20 per cent less a tonne.
Lines worth USD 5m or more where China's unit value is recorded and another country also ships at least USD 5m of the same line to South Korea at a unit value at least 20 per cent lower. The largest such source is named. The same heading can hold different grades, so a lower figure is a question to ask, not a like-for-like price.
- Electronic integrated circuits: memoriesHS 854232China: USD 16bn at USD 18.5m a tonne. Vietnam: USD 154m (1 per cent of the line) at USD 13.3m a tonne, 28 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 10.2m a tonne.
- Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of liquid crystals, with drivers or control circuitsHS 852491China: USD 1.9bn at USD 69,392 a tonne. Taiwan: USD 201m (9 per cent of the line) at USD 51,362 a tonne, 26 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 48,386 a tonne.
- Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or...HS 854231China: USD 1.9bn at USD 2.1m a tonne. Thailand: USD 186m (1 per cent of the line) at USD 1.6m a tonne, 24 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 6.3m a tonne.
- Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713China: USD 1.5bn at USD 1.1m a tonne. Vietnam: USD 713m (32 per cent of the line) at USD 778,129 a tonne, 32 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1.1m a tonne.
- Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542HS 854239China: USD 1.4bn at USD 1.1m a tonne. Vietnam: USD 19m (under 1 per cent of the line) at USD 765,096 a tonne, 33 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 3.3m a tonne.
- Lithium oxide and hydroxideHS 282520China: USD 1.4bn at USD 16,166 a tonne. Australia: USD 22m (1 per cent of the line) at USD 10,921 a tonne, 32 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 13,040 a tonne.
- Electrical static convertersHS 850440China: USD 1.1bn at USD 41,406 a tonne. Philippines: USD 16m (1 per cent of the line) at USD 21,090 a tonne, 49 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 93,204 a tonne.
- Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690China: USD 1.0bn at USD 2,698 a tonne. Vietnam: USD 53m (3 per cent of the line) at USD 2,029 a tonne, 25 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 7,702 a tonne.
- Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of man-made fibres, knitted or crochetedHS 611030China: USD 978m at USD 33,729 a tonne. Vietnam: USD 118m (9 per cent of the line) at USD 23,253 a tonne, 31 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 61,569 a tonne.
- Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids: n.e.c. in heading no. 2841HS 284190China: USD 945m at USD 23,968 a tonne. United States: USD 16m (2 per cent of the line) at USD 7,246 a tonne, 70 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 8,569 a tonne.
- Electric motors: of an output not exceeding 37.5WHS 850110China: USD 842m at USD 49,024 a tonne. Vietnam: USD 114m (6 per cent of the line) at USD 15,935 a tonne, 68 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 72,585 a tonne.
- Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of synthetic fibres (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620463China: USD 791m at USD 50,526 a tonne. Vietnam: USD 172m (17 per cent of the line) at USD 30,130 a tonne, 40 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 53,187 a tonne.
- Seats: with wooden frames, upholstered, (excluding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary or barber furniture)HS 940161China: USD 550m at USD 7,998 a tonne. Vietnam: USD 26m (4 per cent of the line) at USD 4,284 a tonne, 46 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 20,616 a tonne.
- Chemical products, mixtures and preparations: n.e.c. heading 3824HS 382499China: USD 494m at USD 1,769 a tonne. Indonesia: USD 46m (3 per cent of the line) at USD 1,164 a tonne, 34 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 5,089 a tonne.
- Vacuum cleaners, with self-contained electric motor, of a power not exceeding 1,500 W and having a dust bag or other receptacle capacity not exceeding 20LHS 850811China: USD 478m at USD 24,919 a tonne. Malaysia: USD 28m (5 per cent of the line) at USD 19,746 a tonne, 21 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 27,718 a tonne.
- Engines: reciprocating piston engines, of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87, of a cylinder capacity exceeding 1000ccHS 840734China: USD 401m at USD 24,862 a tonne. Japan: USD 10m (1 per cent of the line) at USD 6,990 a tonne, 72 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 25,235 a tonne.
- Compressors: of a kind used in refrigerating equipmentHS 841430China: USD 385m at USD 6,331 a tonne. India: USD 11m (2 per cent of the line) at USD 4,410 a tonne, 30 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 13,615 a tonne.
- Communication apparatus: parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kindsHS 851779China: USD 369m at USD 200,632 a tonne. Japan: USD 10m (under 1 per cent of the line) at USD 159,001 a tonne, 21 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 564,656 a tonne.
- Electrical capacitors: fixed, ceramic dielectric, multilayerHS 853224China: USD 329m at USD 183,742 a tonne. Philippines: USD 45m (5 per cent of the line) at USD 138,067 a tonne, 25 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 289,875 a tonne.
- Electrical apparatus: transistors, (other than photosensitive), with a dissipation rate of 1W or moreHS 854129China: USD 309m at USD 379,046 a tonne. Thailand: USD 16m (2 per cent of the line) at USD 221,127 a tonne, 42 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 633,098 a tonne.
What South Korea buys from everyone, and what it is placed to make.
What crossed the border, what it was worth, and what it weighed.
Every figure on this page is from CEPII's BACI file, which reconciles what each pair of countries reports to the UN about the same shipment. Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. A line is one six-digit customs heading (HS 2022). Values are in US dollars at the border; growth is in current dollars, so part of any change is price, not volume.
Unit value. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices. It is the value of a line divided by its declared weight, so it mixes grades, models and qualities under one heading. It is shown only where the weight is recorded, at least three source countries of USD 100k or more ship the line to South Korea with a weight, and the figure sits within a factor of five of the middle of those sources. Outside that band it is treated as a recording problem and left out.
Share is China's part of everything South Korea imported in that line, from every source. Sources counts the countries that shipped any of it.
Scope. Manufactured and processed goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, without ores, fuels, precious metals, scrap, raw farm output and one-off capital and defence purchases: the same rule as the Made here pages.
A record of trade, not a shopping list.
What this record does not say: what sells at retail, what margin a trade leaves, how crowded the marketplaces are, or how much of a flow is re-exported through entrepots such as Hong Kong and Singapore.
A large line is not proof of an opening, and a lower unit value from another country is not proof the goods are the same. Tariffs, standards, freight, payment terms, lead times and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. Nothing on this page is a forecast, a recommendation or a promise. No supplier company is named, because the record holds none.
Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601. Edition of 2026-11-03.
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