Trade lane
What South Korea buys from the United States.
South Korea imported USD 36bn of manufactured and processed goods from the United States in 2024, down 9 per cent on 2022. That is 10 per cent of everything South Korea imported in these lines, and the United States is its number 2 source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where the United States 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.
USD 36bnfrom the United States in 2024 (USD 40bn in 2022)
10 per centof South Korea's imports in these lines, USD 370bn from every source
1,297product lines worth USD 1m or more on this lane
#2the United States's rank among South Korea's sources
The top 50
The largest lines on the lane, by 2024 value.
Each line shows what South Korea paid the United States for it at the border, the United States'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 56 per cent of the lane.
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1
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 imports9 per cent, 68 source countriesChangeup 6 per cent on 2022 (USD 2.0bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 16.2m a tonne, 132 tonnesUSD 2.1bnin 2024 -
2
Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuitsHS 848620
Share of South Korea's imports18 per cent, 36 source countriesChangedown 38 per cent on 2022 (USD 3.4bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 513,274 a tonne, 4,147 tonnesUSD 2.1bnin 2024 -
3
Machines and apparatus of heading 8486: parts and accessoriesHS 848690
Share of South Korea's imports35 per cent, 63 source countriesChangedown 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.7bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 391,961 a tonne, 3,632 tonnesUSD 1.4bnin 2024 -
4
Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690
Share of South Korea's imports50 per cent, 119 source countriesChangedown 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.1bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 51,040 a tonne, 18,547 tonnesUSD 947min 2024 -
5
Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellersHS 841191
Share of South Korea's imports72 per cent, 44 source countriesChangeup 111 per cent on 2022 (USD 437m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1.2m a tonne, 789 tonnesUSD 922min 2024 -
6
Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of...HS 870340
Share of South Korea's imports22 per cent, 23 source countriesChangeup 142 per cent on 2022 (USD 362m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 21,153 a tonne, 41,334 tonnesUSD 874min 2024 -
7
Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 300490
Share of South Korea's imports22 per cent, 95 source countriesChangedown 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.0bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 278,812 a tonne, 2,996 tonnesUSD 835min 2024 -
8
Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kNHS 841112
Share of South Korea's imports37 per cent, 11 source countriesChangeup 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 595m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1.8m a tonne, 410 tonnesUSD 753min 2024 -
9
Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542HS 854239
Share of South Korea's imports7 per cent, 95 source countriesChangeup 129 per cent on 2022 (USD 276m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 631min 2024 -
10
Optical instruments and appliances: for inspecting semiconductor wafers or devices or for inspecting photomasks or reticles used in manufacturing semiconductor devices...HS 903141
Share of South Korea's imports39 per cent, 29 source countriesChangedown 20 per cent on 2022 (USD 704m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 935,568 a tonne, 599 tonnesUSD 561min 2024 -
11
Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft n.e.c. in heading no. 8807HS 880730
Share of South Korea's imports73 per cent, 59 source countriesChangeup 45 per cent on 2022 (USD 385m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 599,734 a tonne, 930 tonnesUSD 558min 2024 -
12
Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890
Share of South Korea's imports42 per cent, 92 source countriesChangeup 35 per cent on 2022 (USD 374m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 608,618 a tonne, 830 tonnesUSD 505min 2024 -
13
Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000ccHS 870323
Share of South Korea's imports17 per cent, 49 source countriesChangedown 57 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.1bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 17,631 a tonne, 27,816 tonnesUSD 490min 2024 -
14
Acyclic hydrocarbons: saturatedHS 290110
Share of South Korea's imports93 per cent, 29 source countriesChangeup 354 per cent on 2022 (USD 97m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 2,036 a tonne, 215,817 tonnesUSD 439min 2024 -
15
Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products: antisera and other blood fractionsHS 300212
Share of South Korea's imports69 per cent, 68 source countriesChangeup 31 per cent on 2022 (USD 267m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 298,696 a tonne, 1,172 tonnesUSD 350min 2024 -
16
Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products: immunological products, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail...HS 300215
Share of South Korea's imports18 per cent, 52 source countriesChangeup 22 per cent on 2022 (USD 261m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 2.2m a tonne, 143 tonnesUSD 318min 2024 -
17
Reagents: diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on a backing, whether or not put up in the form of...HS 382219
Share of South Korea's imports39 per cent, 80 source countriesChangedown 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 329m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 136,972 a tonne, 2,298 tonnesUSD 315min 2024 -
18
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 imports12 per cent, 69 source countriesChangeup 41 per cent on 2022 (USD 216m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 640,112 a tonne, 475 tonnesUSD 304min 2024 -
19
Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or checking semiconductor wafers or devices (including integrated circuits)HS 903082
Share of South Korea's imports25 per cent, 33 source countriesChangeup 245 per cent on 2022 (USD 85m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 848,847 a tonne, 346 tonnesUSD 293min 2024 -
20
Dyes: synthetic organic products n.e.c. in heading no. 3204 (e.g. of a kind used as luminophores), whether or not chemically definedHS 320490
Share of South Korea's imports70 per cent, 33 source countriesChangeup 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 256m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 277min 2024 -
21
Vehicles: with both compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel) and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by...HS 870350
Share of South Korea's imports35 per cent, 7 source countriesChangedown 34 per cent on 2022 (USD 415m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 24,218 a tonne, 11,341 tonnesUSD 275min 2024 -
22
Instruments, apparatus for measuring, checking electrical quantities, not meters of heading no. 9028: parts and accessories, for measuring or detecting alpha, beta...HS 903090
Share of South Korea's imports30 per cent, 55 source countriesChangeup 14 per cent on 2022 (USD 220m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 2.7m a tonne, 93 tonnesUSD 250min 2024 -
23
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 imports14 per cent, 90 source countriesChangedown 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 240m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 268,932 a tonne, 856 tonnesUSD 230min 2024 -
24
Chemical products, mixtures and preparations: n.e.c. heading 3824HS 382499
Share of South Korea's imports14 per cent, 76 source countriesChangelevel with 2022 (USD 226m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 7,092 a tonne, 31,841 tonnesUSD 226min 2024 -
25
Reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations, unsupported, n.e.c. or includedHS 381590
Share of South Korea's imports69 per cent, 39 source countriesChangeup 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 208m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 4,984 a tonne, 45,236 tonnesUSD 225min 2024 -
26
Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39HS 392690
Share of South Korea's imports14 per cent, 123 source countriesChangedown 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 254m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 62,968 a tonne, 3,570 tonnesUSD 225min 2024 -
27
Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690
Share of South Korea's imports11 per cent, 109 source countriesChangeup 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 175m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 7,349 a tonne, 29,766 tonnesUSD 219min 2024 -
28
Lasers: other than laser diodesHS 901320
Share of South Korea's imports37 per cent, 42 source countriesChangedown 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 243m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1.0m a tonne, 206 tonnesUSD 214min 2024 -
29
Alcohols: saturated monohydric, methanol (methyl alcohol)HS 290511
Share of South Korea's imports30 per cent, 30 source countriesChangedown 33 per cent on 2022 (USD 304m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 337 a tonne, 603,118 tonnesUSD 203min 2024 -
30
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 imports11 per cent, 100 source countriesChangeup 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 193m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 370,190 a tonne, 533 tonnesUSD 197min 2024 -
31
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 imports8 per cent, 42 source countriesChangeup 14 per cent on 2022 (USD 168m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 624,855 a tonne, 305 tonnesUSD 191min 2024 -
32
Aircraft and spacecraft: under-carriages and parts thereofHS 880720
Share of South Korea's imports87 per cent, 33 source countriesChangeup 43 per cent on 2022 (USD 130m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 400,835 a tonne, 465 tonnesUSD 186min 2024 -
33
Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 760612
Share of South Korea's imports16 per cent, 43 source countriesChangeup 54 per cent on 2022 (USD 119m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 9,026 a tonne, 20,374 tonnesUSD 184min 2024 -
34
Electrical static convertersHS 850440
Share of South Korea's imports8 per cent, 95 source countriesChangeup 11 per cent on 2022 (USD 164m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 84,631 a tonne, 2,156 tonnesUSD 182min 2024 -
35
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 imports13 per cent, 92 source countriesChangedown 32 per cent on 2022 (USD 244m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 625,354 a tonne, 264 tonnesUSD 165min 2024 -
36
Instruments and apparatus: using optical radiations (UV, visible, IR), (other than spectrometers, spectrophotometers and spectrographs)HS 902750
Share of South Korea's imports40 per cent, 61 source countriesChangedown 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 207m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 716,551 a tonne, 228 tonnesUSD 163min 2024 -
37
Machinery: for filtering or purifying liquids, n.e.c. in item no. 8421.2HS 842129
Share of South Korea's imports36 per cent, 58 source countriesChangeup 9 per cent on 2022 (USD 149m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 61,027 a tonne, 2,658 tonnesUSD 162min 2024 -
38
Turbines: parts of gas turbines (excluding turbo-jets and turbo-propellers)HS 841199
Share of South Korea's imports39 per cent, 37 source countriesChangeup 62 per cent on 2022 (USD 99m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 501,207 a tonne, 319 tonnesUSD 160min 2024 -
39
Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000ccHS 870324
Share of South Korea's imports20 per cent, 24 source countriesChangedown 62 per cent on 2022 (USD 425m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 56,511 a tonne, 2,831 tonnesUSD 160min 2024 -
40
Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, n.e.c. in heading no. 2901HS 290129
Share of South Korea's imports71 per cent, 31 source countriesChangedown 16 per cent on 2022 (USD 188m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,597 a tonne, 98,615 tonnesUSD 157min 2024 -
41
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 imports6 per cent, 92 source countriesChangeup 10 per cent on 2022 (USD 142m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 749,583 a tonne, 208 tonnesUSD 156min 2024 -
42
Instruments and apparatus: for physical or chemical analysis, for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, expansion, surface tension or quantities of heat, sound or...HS 902789
Share of South Korea's imports29 per cent, 77 source countriesChangedown 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 162m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 730,097 a tonne, 213 tonnesUSD 156min 2024 -
43
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 South Korea's imports9 per cent, 31 source countriesChangeup 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 143m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 315,430 a tonne, 470 tonnesUSD 148min 2024 -
44
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 imports2 per cent, 100 source countriesChangedown 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 184m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1.8m a tonne, 80 tonnesUSD 145min 2024 -
45
Instruments, appliances and machines: parts and accessories for those measuring or checking devices of heading no. 9031HS 903190
Share of South Korea's imports27 per cent, 75 source countriesChangeup 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 112m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1.2m a tonne, 121 tonnesUSD 141min 2024 -
46
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 South Korea's imports18 per cent, 125 source countriesChangedown 20 per cent on 2022 (USD 174m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 38,690 a tonne, 3,575 tonnesUSD 138min 2024 -
47
Catalysts, supported: reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations, with an active substance other than nickel or precious metals or their...HS 381519
Share of South Korea's imports44 per cent, 27 source countriesChangedown 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 141m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 15,519 a tonne, 8,788 tonnesUSD 136min 2024 -
48
Vegetable preparations: potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozenHS 200410
Share of South Korea's imports59 per cent, 24 source countriesChangedown 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 138m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,966 a tonne, 67,703 tonnesUSD 133min 2024 -
49
Titanium: other than unwrought, n.e.c. in heading no. 8108HS 810890
Share of South Korea's imports50 per cent, 42 source countriesChangeup 63 per cent on 2022 (USD 81m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 103,084 a tonne, 1,286 tonnesUSD 133min 2024 -
50
Ethyl alcohol and other spirits: denatured, of any strengthHS 220720
Share of South Korea's imports90 per cent, 20 source countriesChangedown 41 per cent on 2022 (USD 221m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 749 a tonne, 174,936 tonnesUSD 131min 2024
Fastest growing
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.
- Vehicle parts: brakes, servo-brakes and parts thereofHS 870830USD 84m in 2024, from USD 5m in 2022. The United States supplies 19 per cent of the line.
- Alcohols: acyclic, diols: ethylene glycol (ethanediol)HS 290531USD 57m in 2024, from USD 9m in 2022. The United States supplies 27 per cent of the line.
- Acyclic hydrocarbons: saturatedHS 290110USD 439m in 2024, up 354 per cent on 2022 (USD 97m in 2022). The United States supplies 93 per cent of the line.
- Machinery and mechanical appliances: industrial robots, n.e.c. or includedHS 847950USD 22m in 2024, up 249 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). The United States supplies 10 per cent of the line.
- Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or checking semiconductor wafers or devices (including integrated circuits)HS 903082USD 293m in 2024, up 245 per cent on 2022 (USD 85m in 2022). The United States supplies 25 per cent of the line.
- Monitors other than cathode-ray tube: n.e.c. in subheading 8528.52, whether or not colourHS 852859USD 81m in 2024, up 226 per cent on 2022 (USD 25m in 2022). The United States supplies 48 per cent of the line.
- Aircraft and spacecraft: parts thereof n.e.c. in chapter 88HS 880790USD 29m in 2024, up 224 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). The United States supplies 56 per cent of the line.
- Nickel: powders and flakesHS 750400USD 16m in 2024, up 209 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). The United States supplies 4 per cent of the line.
- Engines: for marine propulsion, compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines)HS 840810USD 21m in 2024, up 184 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). The United States supplies 15 per cent of the line.
- Lithium oxide and hydroxideHS 282520USD 45m in 2024, up 160 per cent on 2022 (USD 17m in 2022). The United States supplies 3 per cent of the line.
- Stone or other mineral substances not elsewhere specified or included: articles of carbon fibres for non-electrical usesHS 681513USD 19m in 2024, up 155 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). The United States supplies 35 per cent of the line.
- Reception and transmission apparatus: for use with the apparatus of heading no. 8524 to 8528, excluding aerials and aerial reflectorsHS 852990USD 119m in 2024, up 154 per cent on 2022 (USD 47m in 2022). The United States supplies 6 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 33m in 2024, up 153 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022). The United States supplies 15 per cent of the line.
- Radar apparatusHS 852610USD 54m in 2024, up 148 per cent on 2022 (USD 22m in 2022). The United States supplies 14 per cent of the line.
- Seats: parts, (of other than wood) for use in the assembly of motor vehicles as determined by the ministerHS 940199USD 22m in 2024, up 146 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). The United States supplies 4 per cent of the line.
- Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of...HS 870340USD 874m in 2024, up 142 per cent on 2022 (USD 362m in 2022). The United States supplies 22 per cent of the line.
- Turbines: gas-turbines (excluding turbo-jets and turbo-propellers), of a power not exceeding 5000kWHS 841181USD 40m in 2024, up 136 per cent on 2022 (USD 17m in 2022). The United States supplies 76 per cent of the line.
- Electric motors and generators: parts suitable for use solely or principally with the machines of heading no. 8501 or 8502HS 850300USD 105m in 2024, up 133 per cent on 2022 (USD 45m in 2022). The United States supplies 17 per cent of the line.
- Amplifiers: audio-frequency electricHS 851840USD 15m in 2024, up 133 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). The United States supplies 7 per cent of the line.
- Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542HS 854239USD 631m in 2024, up 129 per cent on 2022 (USD 276m in 2022). The United States supplies 7 per cent of the line.
Where the United States dominates
Lines where the United States supplies 60 per cent or more.
The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where the United States 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.
- Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellersHS 84119172 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 922m; 44 source countries in all.
- Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft n.e.c. in heading no. 8807HS 88073073 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 558m; 59 source countries in all.
- Acyclic hydrocarbons: saturatedHS 29011093 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 439m; 29 source countries in all.
- Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products: antisera and other blood fractionsHS 30021269 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 350m; 68 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 32049070 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 277m; 33 source countries in all.
- Reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations, unsupported, n.e.c. or includedHS 38159069 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 225m; 39 source countries in all.
- Aircraft and spacecraft: under-carriages and parts thereofHS 88072087 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 186m; 33 source countries in all.
- Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, n.e.c. in heading no. 2901HS 29012971 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 157m; 31 source countries in all.
- Ethyl alcohol and other spirits: denatured, of any strengthHS 22072090 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 131m; 20 source countries in all.
- Paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), bleached, weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803...HS 48115183 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 92m; 24 source countries in all.
- Amine-function compounds: acyclic polyamines and their derivatives, hexamethylenediamine and its saltsHS 29212295 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 83m; 12 source countries in all.
- Cellulose acetates: non-plasticised, in primary formsHS 39121196 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 80m; 6 source countries in all.
- Carbonates: disodium carbonateHS 28362067 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 79m; 18 source countries in all.
- Glands and other organs: heparin and its salts: other human or animal substances prepared for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, n.e.c. in heading 3001HS 30019076 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 71m; 76 source countries in all.
- Hides and skins: raw, whole, of bovine or equine animals, of a weight per skin exceeding 16 kgHS 41015085 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 67m; 11 source countries in all.
- Electric motors and generators: DC, of an output exceeding 750W but not exceeding 75kWHS 85013277 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 62m; 41 source countries in all.
- Yarn, artificial: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of cellulose acetate, single, not for retail sale, not sewing threadHS 54033377 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 58m; 7 source countries in all.
- Albumins: milk albumin, including concentrates of two or more whey proteinsHS 35022070 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 43m; 16 source countries in all.
- Zirconium: other than unwrought, n.e.c. in heading no. 8109, containing less than 1 part hafnium to 500 parts zirconium by weightHS 81099190 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 43m; 6 source countries in all.
- Turbines: gas-turbines (excluding turbo-jets and turbo-propellers), of a power not exceeding 5000kWHS 84118176 per cent of South Korea's imports of the line, USD 40m; 12 source countries in all.
Another source, lower unit value
Where another country ships the same line for at least 20 per cent less a tonne.
Lines worth USD 5m or more where the United States'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: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or...HS 854231The United States: USD 2.1bn at USD 16.2m a tonne. Taiwan: USD 15bn (62 per cent of the line) at USD 11.6m a tonne, 29 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 6.3m a tonne.
- Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuitsHS 848620The United States: USD 2.1bn at USD 513,274 a tonne. Japan: USD 2.7bn (23 per cent of the line) at USD 238,536 a tonne, 54 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 513,274 a tonne.
- Machines and apparatus of heading 8486: parts and accessoriesHS 848690The United States: USD 1.4bn at USD 391,961 a tonne. Japan: USD 781m (19 per cent of the line) at USD 166,096 a tonne, 58 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 554,462 a tonne.
- Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690The United States: USD 947m at USD 51,040 a tonne. Germany: USD 195m (10 per cent of the line) at USD 20,169 a tonne, 61 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 13,027 a tonne.
- Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellersHS 841191The United States: USD 922m at USD 1.2m a tonne. Canada: USD 26m (2 per cent of the line) at USD 674,181 a tonne, 42 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 2.0m a tonne.
- Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of...HS 870340The United States: USD 874m at USD 21,153 a tonne. Germany: USD 1.5bn (38 per cent of the line) at USD 15,597 a tonne, 26 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 20,560 a tonne.
- Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 300490The United States: USD 835m at USD 278,812 a tonne. Germany: USD 661m (17 per cent of the line) at USD 70,519 a tonne, 75 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 70,647 a tonne.
- Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kNHS 841112The United States: USD 753m at USD 1.8m a tonne. Germany: USD 9m (under 1 per cent of the line) at USD 573,291 a tonne, 69 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 2.1m a tonne.
- Optical instruments and appliances: for inspecting semiconductor wafers or devices or for inspecting photomasks or reticles used in manufacturing semiconductor devices...HS 903141The United States: USD 561m at USD 935,568 a tonne. Israel: USD 207m (14 per cent of the line) at USD 605,513 a tonne, 35 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 549,043 a tonne.
- Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft n.e.c. in heading no. 8807HS 880730The United States: USD 558m at USD 599,734 a tonne. Japan: USD 6m (1 per cent of the line) at USD 429,013 a tonne, 28 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1.0m a tonne.
- Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890The United States: USD 505m at USD 608,618 a tonne. Mexico: USD 156m (13 per cent of the line) at USD 403,838 a tonne, 34 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 146,609 a tonne.
- Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000ccHS 870323The United States: USD 490m at USD 17,631 a tonne. China: USD 356m (12 per cent of the line) at USD 11,224 a tonne, 36 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 18,134 a tonne.
- Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products: immunological products, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail...HS 300215The United States: USD 318m at USD 2.2m a tonne. China: USD 15m (1 per cent of the line) at USD 1.4m a tonne, 35 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 2.1m a tonne.
- Reagents: diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on a backing, whether or not put up in the form of...HS 382219The United States: USD 315m at USD 136,972 a tonne. China: USD 83m (10 per cent of the line) at USD 36,538 a tonne, 73 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 177,316 a tonne.
- 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 847150The United States: USD 304m at USD 640,112 a tonne. China: USD 885m (35 per cent of the line) at USD 198,922 a tonne, 69 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 495,097 a tonne.
- Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or checking semiconductor wafers or devices (including integrated circuits)HS 903082The United States: USD 293m at USD 848,847 a tonne. Thailand: USD 58m (5 per cent of the line) at USD 580,920 a tonne, 32 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 708,946 a tonne.
- Instruments, apparatus for measuring, checking electrical quantities, not meters of heading no. 9028: parts and accessories, for measuring or detecting alpha, beta...HS 903090The United States: USD 250m at USD 2.7m a tonne. Malaysia: USD 172m (21 per cent of the line) at USD 1.7m a tonne, 36 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 904,507 a tonne.
- Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances: for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valvesHS 848180The United States: USD 230m at USD 268,932 a tonne. Japan: USD 218m (14 per cent of the line) at USD 75,566 a tonne, 72 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 62,100 a tonne.
- Chemical products, mixtures and preparations: n.e.c. heading 3824HS 382499The United States: USD 226m at USD 7,092 a tonne. China: USD 494m (30 per cent of the line) at USD 1,769 a tonne, 75 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 5,089 a tonne.
- Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39HS 392690The United States: USD 225m at USD 62,968 a tonne. China: USD 762m (48 per cent of the line) at USD 7,896 a tonne, 88 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 28,141 a tonne.
The other side of the lane
What South Korea buys from everyone, and what it is placed to make.
What this record says
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 the United States'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.
What it does not say
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 the United States to South Korea 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.
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