China–South Korea Bilateral Trade 2026
China–South Korea trade reached $385.9B in January–September 2026, +59.3% year on year. China exported $149.5B and imported $236.4B.
Source: GACC Monthly · USD Data as of: September 2026 Coverage 2018-01–2026-09
Explore this data
Leading commodity chapters across the available monthly history — darker cells show higher trade value. Hover any cell for detail.
Top China Exports to South Korea
| HS chapter | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 85Electrical machinery and electronics | $53.9B | 36.1% | +57.7% | $46.4B |
| HS 84Machinery and mechanical appliances | $29.0B | 19.4% | +109.7% | $18.8B |
| HS 87Vehicles and parts | $6.4B | 4.3% | +39.6% | $6.0B |
| HS 28Inorganic chemicals | $5.5B | 3.7% | +64.4% | $4.6B |
| HS 29Organic chemicals | $5.0B | 3.3% | +47.9% | $4.5B |
| HS 39Plastics and articles thereof | $4.4B | 3.0% | +19.8% | $4.9B |
| HS 72Iron and steel | $3.4B | 2.3% | -6.5% | $4.7B |
| HS 73Articles of iron or steel | $3.0B | 2.0% | -2.0% | $4.0B |
| HS 90Optical, measuring and medical instruments | $2.4B | 1.6% | +6.7% | $3.1B |
| HS 76Aluminium | $2.3B | 1.5% | +54.2% | $2.0B |
Top HS4 products, Jan–Sep 2026
| HS4 product | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 8542Electronic integrated circuits | $34.3B | 22.9% | +104.4% | $22.9B |
| HS 8473Parts for data processing machines | $14.4B | 9.6% | +589.5% | $3.4B |
| HS 8471Automatic data processing machines | $5.3B | 3.6% | +77.5% | $4.0B |
| HS 8703Motor cars for transport of persons | $3.7B | 2.4% | +89.6% | $2.5B |
| HS 8507Electric accumulators | $3.5B | 2.3% | +33.5% | $3.7B |
| HS 8708Parts for motor vehicles | $2.4B | 1.6% | +5.6% | $2.9B |
| HS 9804Low-value goods in simplified customs procedures | $2.0B | 1.4% | -37.9% | $4.0B |
| HS 8517Telecommunications equipment | $2.0B | 1.3% | +16.4% | $2.5B |
| HS 8901Cruise ships, cargo vessels, boats | $1.6B | 1.1% | +74.3% | $1.4B |
| HS 2842Other inorganic salts, incl. aluminosilicates | $1.6B | 1.1% | +59.0% | $1.4B |
Top China Imports from South Korea
| HS chapter | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 85Electrical machinery and electronics | $172.1B | 72.8% | +111.6% | $115.6B |
| HS 84Machinery and mechanical appliances | $22.9B | 9.7% | +71.0% | $18.0B |
| HS 29Organic chemicals | $7.7B | 3.3% | -2.8% | $10.6B |
| HS 39Plastics and articles thereof | $6.1B | 2.6% | -5.8% | $8.5B |
| HS 74Copper | $3.0B | 1.3% | +19.5% | $3.6B |
| HS 27Mineral fuels and oils | $2.9B | 1.2% | -3.7% | $3.9B |
| HS 90Optical, measuring and medical instruments | $2.8B | 1.2% | -5.8% | $4.0B |
| HS 28Inorganic chemicals | $2.2B | 0.9% | +15.1% | $2.6B |
| HS 38Miscellaneous chemical products | $1.6B | 0.7% | +10.6% | $1.9B |
| HS 33Essential oils and cosmetics | $1.5B | 0.7% | -4.8% | $2.0B |
Top HS4 products, Jan–Sep 2026
| HS4 product | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 8542Electronic integrated circuits | $156.0B | 66.0% | +137.3% | $93.6B |
| HS 8473Parts for data processing machines | $10.8B | 4.5% | +184.9% | $5.3B |
| HS 8529Parts for radio, TV and display equipment | $6.1B | 2.6% | +15.8% | $8.0B |
| HS 2902Cyclic hydrocarbons | $4.7B | 2.0% | +6.9% | $5.9B |
| HS 8471Automatic data processing machines | $3.5B | 1.5% | +227.2% | $1.4B |
| HS 8486Machines for semiconductor manufacture | $3.3B | 1.4% | -8.6% | $4.8B |
| HS 8524Flat panel display modules | $2.7B | 1.1% | -15.4% | $4.2B |
| HS 2710Petroleum oils, refined | $2.3B | 1.0% | +13.7% | $2.7B |
| HS 2901Acyclic hydrocarbons | $1.9B | 0.8% | -20.0% | $3.1B |
| HS 8517Telecommunications equipment | $1.7B | 0.7% | -14.5% | $2.8B |
Fast-Growing China Export Products to South Korea
Jan–Sep 2026 vs Jan–Sep 2025 · USD · ranked by USD increase
497 products qualify
- 1 MemoriesHS 854232 Exports$32.6B Increase+$17.6B YoY+117%
- 2 Parts and accessories of the machines of heading 84.71HS 847330 Exports$14.4B Increase+$12.3B YoY+593%
- 3 Storage unitsHS 847170 Exports$2.4B Increase+$1.8B YoY+283%
- 4 Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of <10 persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars, with only electric motor for propulsion (excl. vehicles for travelling on snow and other specially designed vehicles of subheading 8703.10)HS 870380 Exports$3.4B Increase+$1.7B YoY+99%
- 5 TankersHS 890120 Exports$727M Increase+$726M YoY+65,104%
- 6 Salts of inorganic acids or peroxoacids (excluding of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids, double or complex silicates [incl. aluminosilicates whether or not chemically defined], azides, and inorganic or organic compounds of mercury)HS 284290 Exports$1.6B Increase+$592M YoY+59%
China–South Korea Annual Trade and Year-to-Date Totals
USD| Period | China exports | China imports | Total trade | China balance | Total vs prior period | Partner rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 YTD (Jan–Sep) | $149.5B | $236.4B | $385.9B | -$86.9B | +59.3% | No. 3 |
| 2025 (full year) | $144.2B | $187.1B | $331.2B | -$42.9B | +1.2% | No. 3 |
| 2024 (full year) | $145.9B | $181.5B | $327.3B | -$35.6B | +5.4% | No. 2 |
| 2023 (full year) | $149.0B | $161.7B | $310.7B | -$12.7B | -13.6% | No. 3 |
| 2022 (full year) | $160.5B | $198.9B | $359.4B | -$38.4B | +0.1% | No. 2 |
| 2021 (full year) | $145.9B | $213.2B | $359.1B | -$67.3B | +25.8% | No. 3 |
| 2020 (full year) | $112.5B | $173.1B | $285.6B | -$60.6B | +0.4% | No. 3 |
| 2019 (full year) | $111.0B | $173.6B | $284.5B | -$62.6B | -9.2% | No. 4 |
| 2018 (full year) | $108.8B | $204.6B | $313.4B | -$95.9B | — | No. 3 |
China Export Product Pages for South Korea
Selected HS6 product–country pages from official customs data. Open a page for its published values.
Official product name
Parts and accessories of the machines of heading 84.71
Official product name
Memories
Official product name
Storage units
Official product name
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of <10 persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars, with only electric motor for propulsion (excl. vehicles for travelling on snow and other specially designed vehicles of subheading 8703.10)
About China–South Korea trade and frequently asked questions
What was China's trade with South Korea in Jan–Sep 2026?
In January–September 2026, China–South Korea goods trade totaled $385.9B: China exported $149.5B and imported $236.4B, a China trade deficit of $86.9B (+59.3% vs the same months of 2025). South Korea ranked No. 3 among China's trading partners.
What was China's trade with South Korea in 2025?
In 2025, China–South Korea goods trade totaled $331.2B: China exported $144.2B and imported $187.1B, a China trade deficit of $42.9B (+1.2% vs 2024). South Korea ranked No. 3 among China's trading partners.
What was China's trade with South Korea in 2024?
In 2024, China–South Korea goods trade totaled $327.3B: China exported $145.9B and imported $181.5B, a China trade deficit of $35.6B (+5.4% vs 2023). South Korea ranked No. 2 among China's trading partners.
What does China export to South Korea?
In January–September 2026, China's leading exports to South Korea by HS chapter were Electrical machinery and electronics (HS 85, $53.9B, 36.1% of the total); Machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84, $29.0B, 19.4% of the total); Vehicles and parts (HS 87, $6.4B, 4.3% of the total). The largest HS4 products were Electronic integrated circuits (HS 8542, $34.3B); Parts for data processing machines (HS 8473, $14.4B); Automatic data processing machines (HS 8471, $5.3B).
What does China export to South Korea in 2025?
In 2025, China's leading exports to South Korea by HS chapter were Electrical machinery and electronics (HS 85, $46.4B, 32.2% of the total); Machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84, $18.8B, 13.1% of the total); Vehicles and parts (HS 87, $6.0B, 4.1% of the total). The largest HS4 products were Electronic integrated circuits (HS 8542, $22.9B); Automatic data processing machines (HS 8471, $4.0B); Low-value goods in simplified customs procedures (HS 9804, $4.0B).
What does China import from South Korea?
In January–September 2026, China's leading imports from South Korea by HS chapter were Electrical machinery and electronics (HS 85, $172.1B, 72.8% of the total); Machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84, $22.9B, 9.7% of the total); Organic chemicals (HS 29, $7.7B, 3.3% of the total). The largest HS4 products were Electronic integrated circuits (HS 8542, $156.0B); Parts for data processing machines (HS 8473, $10.8B); Parts for radio, TV and display equipment (HS 8529, $6.1B).
What is China’s trade balance with South Korea?
China's goods trade balance with South Korea was -$86.9B in January–September 2026, compared with -$27.3B in the same months of 2025. 2025: -$42.9B. A negative balance is a China trade deficit.
Where can I download China–South Korea trade data?
The public API exposes available monthly totals and HS chapter breakdowns. Choose supported HS6/HS8 products, years, trade direction and countries. Review available coverage and your one-time price before payment. Delivery timing is shown before checkout. For unsupported scopes, custom research or recurring updates, ask our team to confirm availability and any custom quote by email.
Source
Source
Source: China General Administration of Customs (GACC)
Citation
Citation
China South Korea bilateral trade data, monthly. General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC). https://chinadata.live/china-trade/south-korea/, accessed 2026-11-10.