Exports from Sept. 1–20 rose 13.5% from the same period a year earlier. Despite the impact of U.S. tariffs, shipments to major countries including the United States, China, the European Union (EU), Vietnam, and Taiwan increased, setting a record high for the month.
According to the Korea Customs Service's Sept. 22 release of "Export and import trends for Sept. 1–20, 2025," exports for the 1st–20th came to $40.1 billion, up 13.5% from $35.4 billion a year earlier.
This is the highest for Sept. 1–20 by year, about $3.6 billion above the previous peak in 2018 ($36.5 billion).
By item, exports of semiconductors (27.0%), passenger cars (14.9%), ships (46.1%), and wireless communication devices (3.3%) increased. However, petroleum products fell 4.5%.
By country, exports to China (1.6%), the EU (10.7%), Vietnam (22.0%), Taiwan (22.9%), and the United States (6.1%) increased from a year earlier.
The top three markets (China, the United States, Vietnam) accounted for 45.8% of exports.