South Korea's cosmetics, perfume, and toiletry (cosmetics and supplies) exports are projected to reach approximately USD 10.2 billion by 2024, ranking it among the world's top three. (South Korean Government Portal
) What you should know: By leveraging the global "K-beauty" trend, expanding digital marketing, and entering emerging markets, companies can seize opportunities to explore new export markets and strengthen their brand value.
Cosmetics, perfume, and toiletry items are subdivided into skincare, makeup, perfume, and personal care, and are consumer goods with strong brand, design, and marketing elements.
division | HS code examples | Representative items | Strategy Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare/Basic Cosmetics | HS33.01–33.05 | Essence, serum, cream, mask pack | Building Innovation and Brand Trust |
| Makeup/Color Cosmetics | HS33.06–33.09 | Lipstick, eyeshadow, cushion, etc. | Trends, SNS diffusion, and packaging differentiation |
| Perfume & Personal Care | HS33.10–33.13 | Perfume, shower gel, hair care, men's products | Expanding the men's and women's market and focusing on lifestyle branding |
It is possible to establish differentiated trend and marketing strategies for each product, and export data analysis and risk management are strengthened through product composition based on HS codes.
Korean cosmetics exports are expanding to diverse regions, including China, the United States, Japan, and Southeast Asia, with particularly notable growth in emerging markets.
Country/Region | Strong items | Market characteristics | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| china | Skincare/Face Mask | Initial export expansion → Recent growth slowdown | Market diversification and brand enhancement strategies are needed. |
| USA | Makeup & Personal Care | Increasing K-beauty brand awareness | Strengthening premiumization and digital marketing |
| japan | Skincare/Color | High demand for luxury consumer goods | Strengthening quality, safety, and brand story |
| Emerging countries such as Southeast Asia and India | Skincare, hair care, perfume | Significant growth in the youth market | Focus on price, localization, and design differentiation |
You can design entry strategies and marketing channels based on differences in consumer culture, brand awareness, and distribution structure in each export target country.
Cosmetics and toiletry products are produced in units or sets, and the exportable quantity is determined by the brand's production capacity, global distribution network, and packaging lead time.
item | Number/estimate | unit | note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual exports (2024) | About USD 10.2 billion | USD | South Korea's government portal: Domestic production and exports reach record highs |
| Amount of goods that can be exported by the company | It varies by brand, but the production is approximately 60-70%. | % | Considering global production, logistics, and packaging lines |
You can evaluate export surplus against production capacity and use it to decide on new product launches, line expansions, and production investments.
For cosmetics and perfumes, skin contact, safety, and ingredient transparency standards are important, and there is a trend toward strengthening regulations in each country.
field | Main specifications | note |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic ingredient stability | ISO 22716 (GMP), ISO 24444 | Production Management and Quality Assurance System |
| Perfume and Toiletry Safety | IFRA Standards, EU No 1223/2009 | Response to regulations on allergens and ingredients |
| Packaging and Labeling | ISO 16128, EU No 1169/2011 | Increasing regulations on ingredient labeling and eco-friendly packaging |
Understanding specifications and certification requirements in advance can minimize the risk of export claims and returns.
Securing certification and building brand trust are essential for expanding into global brands and distribution channels.
division | Certification name | Applicable area |
|---|---|---|
| Quality and production management | ISO 22716, ISO 9001 | Global |
| Natural and organic ingredients | COSMOS, ECOCERT | Focusing on the premium markets in Europe and North America |
| Animal testing free | Leaping Bunny, PETA cruelty-free | Preferences of Millennial and Generation Z consumers |
Certification increases brand credibility and positively impacts entry into premium distribution channels.
For cosmetics, perfumes, and toiletries, export packaging, logistics lead time, and brand experience management are crucial due to the nature of these products as consumer goods.
Product group | means of transportation | Average lead time | Key Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare & Makeup | Air or container | 7 to 20 days | Temperature, humidity, damage, and labeling errors |
| Perfume & Personal Care | Air express/container | 5 to 15 days | Breakage, fragrance evaporation, packaging damage |
| Toiletry products and sets | Container/Marine | 15 to 30 days | Inventory turnover and shelf life management |
By considering logistics conditions and developing delivery and packaging strategies, you can prevent loss of brand experience.
Cosmetics have varying MOQs depending on the brand and distribution channel, allowing for flexible transaction structures ranging from small to large quantities.
Product group | MOQ | unit | characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare & Makeup | 1 container or 500 sets or more | Set (Units) | Customized packaging available for distribution channels |
| Perfume & Personal Care | 1 PALLET or 100 cases or more | case | Brand planning boards may be included |
| Toiletry set products | 1 PALLET or more | palette | Many consumer goods events and online malls are linked. |
You can optimize contract terms, packaging units, and inventory management based on MOQ.
We support your strategy by structuring data related to unit price, seasonality, tariff risk, and ESG in the cosmetics, perfume, and toiletry markets.
| cord | item | example | conjugation |
|---|---|---|---|
| (A) | Unit price/transaction price range | Average skincare unit price: USD ~25 ~ 45/piece | Pricing Strategy and Margin Securing |
| (B) | Seasonal patterns | Q4 ~ Q1 Winter/Holiday Demand Peak | Adjusting promotion, production, and logistics timing |
| (C) | Tariff and non-tariff risks | Termination of preferential import tariffs on perfume from some countries | Re-examining market entry strategies |
| (D) | Domestic alternative industry data | Domestic brand overseas sales and OEM growth rate | Domestic demand/export balance and risk assessment |
| (E) | ESG·Net Zero Correlation | Increase in eco-friendly, vegan, and recycled packaging products | Can be used as a differentiating factor |
| (F) | Country-specific risk index | China market risk estimated at 0.28 | Adjusting the export market portfolio |
| (G) | List of major buyers | Large beauty indicator distributors in North America and Europe | Sales strategy and collaboration target selection |
Quantitative metrics allow you to precisely develop product, market, and brand strategies.
We forecast export trends for the next three months, reflecting recent global brand competition, expansion of online sales, and strengthening environmental regulations.
segment | ΔExport(%) | ΔPrice(%) | ΔCountryShare(pp) | TrustIndex(0-1) | 3M Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare/Basic Cosmetics | +2.3% | +0.7% | +0.3 pp | 0.77 | Positive response to K-beauty brand eco-friendliness and functionality strategy |
| Makeup/Color Cosmetics | +1.5% | +0.5% | +0.2 pp | 0.72 | Trend changes and online sales are driving growth. |
| Perfume & Personal Care | +1.8% | +0.4% | +0.2 pp | 0.74 | Expected to increase demand for men's and lifestyle fragrances |
Predictive indicators can be directly used to determine contract, production, logistics, and marketing timing.
