division | Main contents | Basis and Source |
|---|---|---|
| Global economic and manufacturing cycles | Manufacturing PMI shows a gradual recovery (average of 51.2 in Q3 2025) | IMF, Bloomberg 2025.9 |
| Demand for AI and semiconductor equipment | Imports of advanced processing and packaging equipment continue to increase. | KITA Semiconductor Equipment Report |
| Trade regulations and technology controls | Export controls on advanced manufacturing equipment to China continue, while material restrictions on Japan are eased. | FT, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy |
| Energy and nuclear reactor-related imports | Increasing Procurement of SMR (Small Modular Reactor) Equipment and Components | Reuters Energy 2025.8 |
Korea relies heavily on imports of HS84 (machinery) , and imports centered on advanced manufacturing equipment and industrial automation facilities are steadily increasing. In particular, imports of machinery focused on precision manufacturing and energy sectors,
such as AI semiconductors, SMRs, and eco-friendly processes, are structurally increasing.
item | Details | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| HS code | 84 (Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers) | UN Comtrade |
| Main detailed items | 8411 (turbine), 8419 (industrial boilers and heat exchangers), 8456 (laser processing machines), 8471 (computers), 8486 (semiconductor manufacturing equipment) | Customs Service Import Statistics |
| Import volume | Approximately $113 billion in 2024 (Korea's third-largest import item) | OEC / UN Comtrade |
| Total import share | about 17.8% | KCS (as of Q2 2025) |
The HS84 product group is the core of the establishment of Korean manufacturing facilities and production lines, and is mostly comprised of ‘imported equipment for securing technological competitiveness.’
ranking | importing country | specific gravity(%) | Main items | Features and Risks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | japan | 32 | Precision machine tools and measuring equipment | High technology and high price sensitivity |
| 2 | USA | 24 | Semiconductor and AI manufacturing equipment | Parallel regulations on China, high-priced items |
| 3 | germany | 16 | Automation equipment and process robots | Engineering technology strength |
| 4 | Netherlands | 11 | Exposure equipment and semiconductor equipment | Global monopoly level (ASML) |
| 5 | china | 7 | General-purpose machinery and auxiliary equipment | Replaceable, quality deviation exists |
The top five countries account for over 90% of imports , and the import structure of advanced machinery, particularly Japan, the United States, and the Netherlands , is maintained.
division | 2023 Q3 | 2024 Q3 | Increase/decrease (%) | note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semiconductor equipment (HS8486) | USD 3.78 billion | USD 4.06 billion | +7.4 | Expansion of advanced process CAPEX |
| General industrial machinery | USD 2.13 billion | USD 1.97 billion | -7.5 | Impact of economic slowdown |
| Automation robots | 640 million USD | 720 million USD | +12.5 | Increasing demand for human-replacement equipment |
| Boiler/heat treatment equipment | 480 million USD | 510 million USD | +6.2 | Focus on improving industrial efficiency |
Total machinery imports grew by +3.9% year-on-year , with industrial AI and automation equipment serving as the main driving force.
division | 2024 Q1 | 2024 Q2 | 2024 Q3 | change(%) | analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average unit price (USD/kg) | 17.8 | 18.5 | 18.9 | +2.2 | Increasing the proportion of high-precision equipment |
| semiconductor equipment | 1.42 M USD/unit | 1.53 M USD/unit | 1.57 M USD/unit | +2.6 | Increase in imports of advanced technologies |
| industrial robots | 61 k USD/unit | 64 k USD/unit | 65 k USD/unit | +1.5 | Demand for AI collaborative robots |
Overall, the import structure centered on high-priced equipment is strengthening, reflecting continued investment to secure manufacturing competitiveness.
branch | characteristic | Import Volatility Index (0–1) |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Awaiting budget/CAPEX approval | 0.42 |
| Q2 | Equipment order concentrator | 0.63 |
| Q3 | Focus on semiconductor CAPEX and AI equipment imports | 0.78 |
| Q4 | Equipment Inspection/Accounting Adjustment | 0.55 |
Imports of equipment and facilities are concentrated in the Q3-Q4 cycle , and a peak in orders for AI manufacturing facilities is confirmed.
item | detail |
|---|---|
| Tariff rate | Average 3-5%, most FTA-applicable items are duty-free |
| Non-tariff factors | Technology transfer restrictions, export controls, and certification (CE, UL) |
| Domestic alternative industries | Domestic production of semiconductor equipment (30%), manufacturing of industrial robots (40%) |
| Future tasks | Aiming for 60% domestic production of AI control equipment and process robots |
Although the dependence on technology in the advanced equipment sector remains high , the rate of localization is gradually improving.
item | evaluation | analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Energy efficiency | award | Expansion of high-efficiency facilities and robotization |
| ESG impact | middle | Carbon emissions still remain during the manufacturing stage |
| Contribution to carbon reduction | award | Expanding imports of new boilers and energy-saving equipment |
Machinery is equipped with many carbon-reducing facilities, contributing to improved industry ESG performance .
importing country | Political/Policy Risk (0–1) | Technology and Regulatory Risk (0–1) | Logistics Risk (0–1) | Trust Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| japan | 0.24 | 0.35 | 0.22 | 0.79 |
| USA | 0.22 | 0.31 | 0.28 | 0.81 |
| germany | 0.26 | 0.27 | 0.30 | 0.77 |
| Netherlands | 0.23 | 0.40 | 0.29 | 0.74 |
| china | 0.51 | 0.58 | 0.39 | 0.56 |
The average Trust Index is 0.73 (good) . Supply stability is high
thanks to technology-based procurement centered on Japan and the United States , but the variable of technology control over China still exists.
industry | Major companies | Main equipment used | note |
|---|---|---|---|
| semiconductor | Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix | Exposure, etching, and packaging equipment | Focused on ASML and LAM |
| automobile | Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors | Assembly, welding, and inspection robots | 70% of products from Germany and Japan |
| Energy and Plants | Hanwha and Doosan Energy | Boiler, turbine, and SMR equipment | RE100 compliant |
| Machinery and Small Business | LS, Hyundai Wia, and Hanwha Precision Machinery | Machine tools and laser cutting machines | Expanding local production |
item | Dependency | movement |
|---|---|---|
| semiconductor equipment | 74% import dependence | Localization rate 26% |
| industrial automation | 58% import dependence | Domestic robot penetration rate increases |
| SMR·Boiler equipment | 80% import dependence | New technology-based facilities |
The average import dependency of the HS84 product group is approximately 68% , and the import of AI-controlled and smart factory-type equipment
to secure manufacturing competitiveness continues to expand.
characteristic | Currently (2025 Q3) | Compared to the previous quarter (Δ%) | analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| ΔImport | +2.8% | ▲1.4 | Solid imports of semiconductors, robots, and SMR equipment |
| ΔPrice | +2.1% | ▲0.7 | Rising unit prices of advanced equipment |
| ΔCountryShare | +0.9% | ▲0.5 | Increased weighting of Japan and the US (stability increases) |
| Trust Index | 0.73 | = | Maintain good level |
| Forecast(3M) | +3.9% | ▲ | Q4 CAPEX Focus Reflects Investment in New Lines |
Summary:
Korea's machinery imports are entering a structural expansion phase, centered on AI manufacturing and energy equipment
. While import prices are expected to continue rising in the medium term, the nature of this increase is largely driven by investment to secure industrial competitiveness.
division | Suggestion | Expected effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Expanding the R&D fund for localizing advanced manufacturing facilities | Reducing dependence on technology |
| 2 | Expanding long-term supply agreements for semiconductor and AI equipment | Securing stable procurement |
| 3 | Establishment of a preferential tariff system for carbon-saving machinery and equipment | Strengthening ESG competitiveness |
| 4 | AI procurement forecasting based on machine import data | Reduce costs and minimize risks |
| 5 | Diversification strategy (expanding EU and ASEAN import lines) | Supply Chain Risk Mitigation |
HS84 (Machinery) Imports Trade Index – 2025 Q3
ΔImport +2.8% , ΔPrice +2.1% , Trust Index 0.73 , Forecast (3M) +3.9%
→ Outlook: Stable Uptrend (Positive).
Imports, particularly semiconductors, robots, and SMR equipment, continue to expand, and the industry is transitioning to an investment structure focused on securing industrial competitiveness.
In the long term, policies that simultaneously enhance localization and diversify supply chains are required.
