What China buys from South Korea.
China imported USD 127bn of manufactured and processed goods from South Korea in 2024, down 11 per cent on 2022. That is 13 per cent of everything China imported in these lines, and South Korea is its largest source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where South Korea 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 China paid South Korea for it at the border, South Korea's share of everything China imported in that line, how it changed since 2022, and the customs unit value per tonne where the weight is recorded. Together they are 75 per cent of the lane.
-
1
Electronic integrated circuits: memoriesHS 854232
Share of China's imports60 per cent, 66 source countriesChangedown 16 per cent on 2022 (USD 34bn in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 28bnin 2024 -
2
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 China's imports25 per cent, 90 source countriesChangedown 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 16bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 9.4m a tonne, 1,603 tonnesUSD 15bnin 2024 -
3
Reception and transmission apparatus: for use with the apparatus of heading no. 8524 to 8528, excluding aerials and aerial reflectorsHS 852990
Share of China's imports47 per cent, 83 source countriesChangeup 62 per cent on 2022 (USD 4.5bn in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 7.3bnin 2024 -
4
Cyclic hydrocarbons: p-xyleneHS 290243
Share of China's imports42 per cent, 19 source countriesChangedown 20 per cent on 2022 (USD 4.6bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 942 a tonne, 3,951,721 tonnesUSD 3.7bnin 2024 -
5
Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542HS 854239
Share of China's imports6 per cent, 109 source countriesChangeup 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 3.0bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 4.2m a tonne, 846 tonnesUSD 3.6bnin 2024 -
6
Machinery: parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the like) of the machines of heading no. 8471HS 847330
Share of China's imports18 per cent, 91 source countriesChangeup 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 2.2bn in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 2.7bnin 2024 -
7
Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), without drivers or control circuitsHS 852412
Share of China's imports90 per cent, 23 source countriesChangedown 16 per cent on 2022 (USD 2.5bn in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 2.1bnin 2024 -
8
Cyclic hydrocarbons: benzeneHS 290220
Share of China's imports49 per cent, 17 source countriesChangeup 29 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.6bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 972 a tonne, 2,159,134 tonnesUSD 2.1bnin 2024 -
9
Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)HS 330499
Share of China's imports29 per cent, 105 source countriesChangedown 29 per cent on 2022 (USD 2.9bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 38,542 a tonne, 53,149 tonnesUSD 2.0bnin 2024 -
10
Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids: n.e.c. in heading no. 2841HS 284190
Share of China's imports95 per cent, 27 source countriesChangefrom USD 276m in 2022Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 1.8bnin 2024 -
11
Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of liquid crystals, without drivers or control circuitsHS 852411
Share of China's imports25 per cent, 49 source countriesChangedown 26 per cent on 2022 (USD 2.3bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 87,936 a tonne, 19,192 tonnesUSD 1.7bnin 2024 -
12
Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuitsHS 848620
Share of China's imports4 per cent, 33 source countriesChangeup 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.4bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 237,451 a tonne, 6,044 tonnesUSD 1.4bnin 2024 -
13
Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, ethyleneHS 290121
Share of China's imports71 per cent, 13 source countriesChangeup 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.3bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 840 a tonne, 1,556,853 tonnesUSD 1.3bnin 2024 -
14
Circuits: printedHS 853400
Share of China's imports24 per cent, 79 source countriesChangedown 30 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.8bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 398,673 a tonne, 3,177 tonnesUSD 1.3bnin 2024 -
15
Optical elements: polarising material, sheets and plates thereofHS 900120
Share of China's imports43 per cent, 26 source countriesChangedown 31 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.8bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 49,064 a tonne, 24,920 tonnesUSD 1.2bnin 2024 -
16
Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, propene (propylene)HS 290122
Share of China's imports75 per cent, 15 source countriesChangeup 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.2bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 818 a tonne, 1,494,750 tonnesUSD 1.2bnin 2024 -
17
Machines and apparatus of heading 8486: parts and accessoriesHS 848690
Share of China's imports26 per cent, 57 source countriesChangeup 45 per cent on 2022 (USD 836m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 357,090 a tonne, 3,387 tonnesUSD 1.2bnin 2024 -
18
Communication apparatus: parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kindsHS 851779
Share of China's imports25 per cent, 102 source countriesChangeup 44 per cent on 2022 (USD 698m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 1.0bnin 2024 -
19
Engines: for marine propulsion, compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines)HS 840810
Share of China's imports73 per cent, 27 source countriesChangeup 157 per cent on 2022 (USD 345m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 9,893 a tonne, 89,513 tonnesUSD 886min 2024 -
20
Semiconductor media: solid-state non-volatile storage devices, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37HS 852351
Share of China's imports15 per cent, 76 source countriesChangedown 62 per cent on 2022 (USD 2.3bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 6.4m a tonne, 132 tonnesUSD 848min 2024 -
21
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120
Share of China's imports14 per cent, 59 source countriesChangedown 17 per cent on 2022 (USD 949m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,114 a tonne, 706,550 tonnesUSD 787min 2024 -
22
Acrylic polymers: (other than polymethyl methacrylate), in primary formsHS 390690
Share of China's imports33 per cent, 60 source countriesChangeup 13 per cent on 2022 (USD 590m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,822 a tonne, 364,597 tonnesUSD 664min 2024 -
23
Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of flat panel displaysHS 848630
Share of China's imports29 per cent, 17 source countriesChangedown 30 per cent on 2022 (USD 942m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 40,651 a tonne, 16,249 tonnesUSD 661min 2024 -
24
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390140
Share of China's imports11 per cent, 53 source countriesChangedown 17 per cent on 2022 (USD 797m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,560 a tonne, 423,021 tonnesUSD 660min 2024 -
25
Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 760612
Share of China's imports58 per cent, 55 source countriesChangedown 7 per cent on 2022 (USD 678m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,337 a tonne, 188,980 tonnesUSD 631min 2024 -
26
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes thereof, self-adhesive, other than in rolls of a width not exceeding 20cmHS 391990
Share of China's imports24 per cent, 89 source countriesChangeup 46 per cent on 2022 (USD 423m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 23,676 a tonne, 26,036 tonnesUSD 616min 2024 -
27
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of poly(ethylene terephthalate), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly...HS 392062
Share of China's imports38 per cent, 56 source countriesChangeup 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 591m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 7,312 a tonne, 82,162 tonnesUSD 601min 2024 -
28
Photographic goods: chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for useHS 370790
Share of China's imports27 per cent, 30 source countriesChangeup 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 571m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 43,251 a tonne, 13,321 tonnesUSD 576min 2024 -
29
Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture or repair of masks and reticles, assembling semiconductor devices or electronic...HS 848640
Share of China's imports15 per cent, 33 source countriesChangedown 14 per cent on 2022 (USD 668m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 74,570 a tonne, 7,683 tonnesUSD 573min 2024 -
30
Electrical capacitors: fixed, ceramic dielectric, multilayerHS 853224
Share of China's imports12 per cent, 80 source countriesChangeup 7 per cent on 2022 (USD 512m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 365,126 a tonne, 1,503 tonnesUSD 549min 2024 -
31
Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210
Share of China's imports24 per cent, 76 source countriesChangedown 33 per cent on 2022 (USD 803m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,165 a tonne, 461,818 tonnesUSD 538min 2024 -
32
Machines and mechanical appliances: having individual functions, n.e.c. or included in this chapterHS 847989
Share of China's imports10 per cent, 79 source countriesChangedown 46 per cent on 2022 (USD 979m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 28,213 a tonne, 18,875 tonnesUSD 533min 2024 -
33
Chemical products, mixtures and preparations: n.e.c. heading 3824HS 382499
Share of China's imports11 per cent, 101 source countriesChangedown 23 per cent on 2022 (USD 686m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,735 a tonne, 142,164 tonnesUSD 531min 2024 -
34
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymersHS 390130
Share of China's imports45 per cent, 38 source countriesChangedown 66 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.5bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,214 a tonne, 416,482 tonnesUSD 505min 2024 -
35
Electrical apparatus: parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading no. 8535, 8536 or 8537HS 853890
Share of China's imports16 per cent, 101 source countriesChangedown 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 509m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 27,079 a tonne, 17,331 tonnesUSD 469min 2024 -
36
Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690
Share of China's imports24 per cent, 128 source countriesChangedown 5 per cent on 2022 (USD 493m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 6,337 a tonne, 73,992 tonnesUSD 469min 2024 -
37
Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of liquid crystals, with drivers or control circuitsHS 852491
Share of China's imports14 per cent, 57 source countriesChangedown 58 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.0bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 143,363 a tonne, 3,089 tonnesUSD 443min 2024 -
38
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 China's imports17 per cent, 45 source countriesChangedown 26 per cent on 2022 (USD 561m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 563,193 a tonne, 741 tonnesUSD 417min 2024 -
39
Electrical apparatus: transistors, (other than photosensitive), with a dissipation rate of 1W or moreHS 854129
Share of China's imports10 per cent, 71 source countriesChangeup 22 per cent on 2022 (USD 330m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 519,454 a tonne, 776 tonnesUSD 403min 2024 -
40
Polycarbonates: in primary formsHS 390740
Share of China's imports21 per cent, 60 source countriesChangedown 42 per cent on 2022 (USD 677m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,932 a tonne, 204,056 tonnesUSD 394min 2024 -
41
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390110
Share of China's imports9 per cent, 63 source countriesChangedown 10 per cent on 2022 (USD 434m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,348 a tonne, 289,811 tonnesUSD 391min 2024 -
42
Electrical apparatus: n.e.c. in heading no. 8536, for switching or protecting electrical circuits, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 voltsHS 853690
Share of China's imports11 per cent, 133 source countriesChangeup 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 374m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 31,890 a tonne, 12,186 tonnesUSD 389min 2024 -
43
Vehicle parts: gear boxes and parts thereofHS 870840
Share of China's imports5 per cent, 69 source countriesChangeup 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 344m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 9,248 a tonne, 40,157 tonnesUSD 371min 2024 -
44
Styrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers, in primary formsHS 390330
Share of China's imports30 per cent, 63 source countriesChangedown 43 per cent on 2022 (USD 646m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,622 a tonne, 225,618 tonnesUSD 366min 2024 -
45
Glass of heading no. 7003, 7004 or 7005: bent, edge-worked, engraved, drilled, enamelled or otherwise worked, but not framed or fitted with other materialsHS 700600
Share of China's imports52 per cent, 43 source countriesChangeup 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 323m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 6,792 a tonne, 53,337 tonnesUSD 362min 2024 -
46
Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)HS 850760
Share of China's imports19 per cent, 58 source countriesChangeup 26 per cent on 2022 (USD 286m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 38,056 a tonne, 9,504 tonnesUSD 362min 2024 -
47
Dental fittings: other than artificial teethHS 902129
Share of China's imports37 per cent, 31 source countriesChangeup 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 278m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 760,557 a tonne, 441 tonnesUSD 335min 2024 -
48
Engines: parts for internal combustion piston engines (excluding spark-ignition)HS 840999
Share of China's imports23 per cent, 100 source countriesChangeup 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 267m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 22,088 a tonne, 14,204 tonnesUSD 314min 2024 -
49
Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances: for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valvesHS 848180
Share of China's imports7 per cent, 101 source countriesChangeup 40 per cent on 2022 (USD 218m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 49,771 a tonne, 6,140 tonnesUSD 306min 2024 -
50
Electric generating sets: with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), of an output exceeding 375kVAHS 850213
Share of China's imports45 per cent, 27 source countriesChangeup 200 per cent on 2022 (USD 101m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 16,915 a tonne, 17,809 tonnesUSD 301min 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.
- Paper and paperboard: uncoated, semi-chemical fluting paper, rolls or sheetsHS 480511USD 128m in 2024, from USD 8m in 2022. South Korea supplies 70 per cent of the line.
- Cyclic hydrocarbons: cumeneHS 290270USD 94m in 2024, from USD 7m in 2022. South Korea supplies 18 per cent of the line.
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3921, cellularHS 392119USD 287m in 2024, from USD 38m in 2022. South Korea supplies 44 per cent of the line.
- Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids: n.e.c. in heading no. 2841HS 284190USD 1.8bn in 2024, from USD 276m in 2022. South Korea supplies 95 per cent of the line.
- Alcohols: saturated monohydric, octanol (octyl alcohol) and isomers thereofHS 290516USD 72m in 2024, up 387 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022). South Korea supplies 18 per cent of the line.
- Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), with drivers or control circuitsHS 852492USD 290m in 2024, up 348 per cent on 2022 (USD 65m in 2022). South Korea supplies 1 per cent of the line.
- Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, buta-1,3-diene and isopreneHS 290124USD 250m in 2024, up 339 per cent on 2022 (USD 57m in 2022). South Korea supplies 38 per cent of the line.
- Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620462USD 32m in 2024, up 226 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022). South Korea supplies 17 per cent of the line.
- Tools, interchangeable: (for machine or hand tools, whether or not power-operated), tools for drilling (other than rock)HS 820750USD 16m in 2024, up 214 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). South Korea supplies 11 per cent of the line.
- Electric generating sets: with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), of an output exceeding 375kVAHS 850213USD 301m in 2024, up 200 per cent on 2022 (USD 101m in 2022). South Korea supplies 45 per cent of the line.
- Printed matter: in single sheets, whether or not foldedHS 490110USD 27m in 2024, up 183 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022). South Korea supplies 46 per cent of the line.
- Machinery, plant and laboratory equipment: parts of equipment for treating materials by a process involving a change of temperatureHS 841990USD 94m in 2024, up 174 per cent on 2022 (USD 34m in 2022). South Korea supplies 22 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 18m in 2024, up 170 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). South Korea supplies 5 per cent of the line.
- Engines: for marine propulsion, compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines)HS 840810USD 886m in 2024, up 157 per cent on 2022 (USD 345m in 2022). South Korea supplies 73 per cent of the line.
- Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000ccHS 870324USD 95m in 2024, up 149 per cent on 2022 (USD 38m in 2022). South Korea supplies 3 per cent of the line.
- Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing...HS 190590USD 41m in 2024, up 148 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022). South Korea supplies 9 per cent of the line.
- Instruments and apparatus: for physical or chemical analysis, for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, expansion, surface tension or quantities of heat, sound or...HS 902789USD 26m in 2024, up 147 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022). South Korea supplies 2 per cent of the line.
- Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of man-made fibres, knitted or crochetedHS 611030USD 40m in 2024, up 147 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022). South Korea supplies 14 per cent of the line.
- Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes and pipes (other than line pipe or casing of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines), longitudinally welded, having circular...HS 730531USD 25m in 2024, up 147 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022). South Korea supplies 73 per cent of the line.
- Wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous woodHS 470329USD 38m in 2024, up 139 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022). South Korea supplies under 1 per cent of the line.
Lines where South Korea supplies 60 per cent or more.
The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where South Korea ships at least 60 per cent of what China imports. This is supply concentration: how much of the line depends on one source country.
- Electronic integrated circuits: memoriesHS 85423260 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 28bn; 66 source countries in all.
- Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), without drivers or control circuitsHS 85241290 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 2.1bn; 23 source countries in all.
- Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids: n.e.c. in heading no. 2841HS 28419095 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 1.8bn; 27 source countries in all.
- Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, ethyleneHS 29012171 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 1.3bn; 13 source countries in all.
- Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, propene (propylene)HS 29012275 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 1.2bn; 15 source countries in all.
- Engines: for marine propulsion, compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines)HS 84081073 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 886m; 27 source countries in all.
- Food preparations: pasta (excluding stuffed), cooked or otherwise preparedHS 19023070 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 261m; 42 source countries in all.
- Dyes: synthetic organic products n.e.c. in heading no. 3204 (e.g. of a kind used as luminophores), whether or not chemically definedHS 32049084 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 188m; 46 source countries in all.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled, of a thickness of 0.5mm or more but not exceeding 1mmHS 72091774 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 157m; 31 source countries in all.
- Propylene, other olefin polymers: polyisobutylene in primary formsHS 39022071 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 139m; 22 source countries in all.
- Glass: cast glass and rolled glass, non-wired sheets, coloured through the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or having an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting...HS 70031264 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 137m; 21 source countries in all.
- Paper and paperboard: uncoated, semi-chemical fluting paper, rolls or sheetsHS 48051170 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 128m; 23 source countries in all.
- Rubber: synthetic, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), latex, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or stripHS 40025181 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 103m; 11 source countries in all.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 72107079 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 88m; 39 source countries in all.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, pickled, of a thickness of less than 3mmHS 72082768 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 74m; 18 source countries in all.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, plated or coated, (excluding tin, zinc or plastic)HS 72125065 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 73m; 34 source countries in all.
- Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of textile materials (other than wool, fine animal hair, cotton or synthetic fibres), (not...HS 62046963 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 59m; 83 source countries in all.
- Nitrogen-function compounds: n.e.c. in chapter 29, excluding isocyanatesHS 29299076 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 57m; 29 source countries in all.
- Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 39076162 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 56m; 38 source countries in all.
- Tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers, for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas), 50l or more capacity but not exceeding 300lHS 73101070 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 51m; 54 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 South Korea's unit value is recorded and another country also ships at least USD 5m of the same line to China 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: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or...HS 854231South Korea: USD 15bn at USD 9.4m a tonne. Malaysia: USD 10bn (17 per cent of the line) at USD 3.7m a tonne, 61 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 2.7m a tonne.
- Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542HS 854239South Korea: USD 3.6bn at USD 4.2m a tonne. Philippines: USD 2.9bn (5 per cent of the line) at USD 2.6m a tonne, 38 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 2.6m a tonne.
- Cyclic hydrocarbons: benzeneHS 290220South Korea: USD 2.1bn at USD 972 a tonne. Kazakhstan: USD 19m (under 1 per cent of the line) at USD 664 a tonne, 32 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 981 a tonne.
- Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)HS 330499South Korea: USD 2.0bn at USD 38,542 a tonne. Germany: USD 122m (2 per cent of the line) at USD 28,974 a tonne, 25 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 38,542 a tonne.
- Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of liquid crystals, without drivers or control circuitsHS 852411South Korea: USD 1.7bn at USD 87,936 a tonne. Taiwan: USD 4.2bn (61 per cent of the line) at USD 47,515 a tonne, 46 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 149,580 a tonne.
- Circuits: printedHS 853400South Korea: USD 1.3bn at USD 398,673 a tonne. Malaysia: USD 241m (5 per cent of the line) at USD 212,136 a tonne, 47 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 293,701 a tonne.
- Optical elements: polarising material, sheets and plates thereofHS 900120South Korea: USD 1.2bn at USD 49,064 a tonne. Taiwan: USD 620m (22 per cent of the line) at USD 31,510 a tonne, 36 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 47,797 a tonne.
- Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, propene (propylene)HS 290122South Korea: USD 1.2bn at USD 818 a tonne. Russia: USD 7m (under 1 per cent of the line) at USD 449 a tonne, 45 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 822 a tonne.
- Machines and apparatus of heading 8486: parts and accessoriesHS 848690South Korea: USD 1.2bn at USD 357,090 a tonne. Taiwan: USD 439m (9 per cent of the line) at USD 169,625 a tonne, 53 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 358,238 a tonne.
- Semiconductor media: solid-state non-volatile storage devices, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37HS 852351South Korea: USD 848m at USD 6.4m a tonne. United States: USD 126m (2 per cent of the line) at USD 3.6m a tonne, 44 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 3.5m a tonne.
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120South Korea: USD 787m at USD 1,114 a tonne. Saudi Arabia: USD 851m (16 per cent of the line) at USD 888 a tonne, 20 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,020 a tonne.
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390140South Korea: USD 660m at USD 1,560 a tonne. United States: USD 993m (16 per cent of the line) at USD 869 a tonne, 44 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 972 a tonne.
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes thereof, self-adhesive, other than in rolls of a width not exceeding 20cmHS 391990South Korea: USD 616m at USD 23,676 a tonne. Vietnam: USD 48m (2 per cent of the line) at USD 14,115 a tonne, 40 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 17,638 a tonne.
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of poly(ethylene terephthalate), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly...HS 392062South Korea: USD 601m at USD 7,312 a tonne. Taiwan: USD 188m (12 per cent of the line) at USD 5,169 a tonne, 29 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 4,616 a tonne.
- Photographic goods: chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for useHS 370790South Korea: USD 576m at USD 43,251 a tonne. Taiwan: USD 265m (13 per cent of the line) at USD 22,202 a tonne, 49 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 21,792 a tonne.
- Electrical capacitors: fixed, ceramic dielectric, multilayerHS 853224South Korea: USD 549m at USD 365,126 a tonne. Philippines: USD 906m (20 per cent of the line) at USD 217,628 a tonne, 40 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 316,832 a tonne.
- Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210South Korea: USD 538m at USD 1,165 a tonne. Japan: USD 173m (8 per cent of the line) at USD 649 a tonne, 44 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,203 a tonne.
- Chemical products, mixtures and preparations: n.e.c. heading 3824HS 382499South Korea: USD 531m at USD 3,735 a tonne. Thailand: USD 213m (4 per cent of the line) at USD 1,591 a tonne, 57 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 3,027 a tonne.
- Electrical apparatus: parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading no. 8535, 8536 or 8537HS 853890South Korea: USD 469m at USD 27,079 a tonne. Vietnam: USD 69m (2 per cent of the line) at USD 14,578 a tonne, 46 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 53,741 a tonne.
- Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690South Korea: USD 469m at USD 6,337 a tonne. Austria: USD 36m (2 per cent of the line) at USD 4,096 a tonne, 35 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 11,254 a tonne.
What China 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 China 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 South Korea's part of everything China 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.
Want to know when this lane moves?
A sourcing alert for South Korea to China is not built yet. If it is built, it would tell you when a line on this lane shifts: a new source country, a share that moves, a unit value that changes sharply. Leave an address and you will hear when it exists, and nothing else.
Run a company? Check it against the developments BuzzBaboon follows, free.