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South Korea’s exports more than doubled in the first 10 days of October, reaching a record $26.1 billion, the Korea Customs Service reported on October 12. The outbound shipments for Oct. 1-10 surpassed the previous high of $15.3 billion recorded in the same period of 2025. This strong start to the month reflects continued robust demand for key Korean products on the global stage.
The daily average export value hit a record $4.75 billion during the period, according to the Korea Customs Service, even after accounting for the additional working days compared with the prior year. Imports increased 65.5 percent to $22.3 billion, the data showed, leading to a trade surplus of $3.8 billion that also set a new benchmark for the early October timeframe. The figures come amid a global semiconductor upcycle that has benefited South Korean producers.
Semiconductor exports led the way with a 170.9 percent surge to $12.1 billion and comprised 46.7 percent of total exports, up 11.9 percentage points from a year earlier, Korea Customs Service figures show. Petroleum product shipments rose 45.6 percent to $1.75 billion while car exports climbed 82.7 percent to $1.21 billion. Steel products gained 49.4 percent to $1 billion, although ship exports dropped 13.4 percent to $682 million.
By destination, exports to China soared 167 percent to $7.59 billion during the 10-day period, the Korea Customs Service data placed. Shipments to the United States jumped 159.9 percent to $3.65 billion and those to Vietnam increased 89.7 percent to $2.4 billion. The three countries accounted for 52.3 percent of South Korea’s total exports in the period.
The latest customs release follows a record performance in the first 10 days of September when exports reached $35 billion, an 83 percent increase from the previous year, earlier data from the service indicated. This sustained growth has driven cumulative exports for the year through early October to $840.83 billion, a 57.9 percent rise from the corresponding period in 2025. The semiconductor sector has been the primary engine behind the expansion.
The Korea Customs Service compiles the preliminary export and import statistics based on actual shipments cleared through customs. These early-month figures often serve as an initial indicator of monthly trade trends. Analysts monitor such data closely for signs of economic momentum in South Korea’s export-dependent economy.
