Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and South Korea

Asia · 7 port guides · US free trade agreement partner

In 2025 the United States exported $69.1 billion of goods to South Korea and imported $125.5 billion from there. South Korea was the 9th largest market for US exports and the 9th largest source of US imports.

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14 ports in South Korea recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$69.1BUp 5.0% on 2024 ($65.8 billion)
US imports, 2025
$125.5BDown 4.5% on 2024 ($131.5 billion)
Goods balance
$56.5BUS deficit
Export market rank
9thAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
9thAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to South Korea

Mineral fuels and oils (chapter 27) led US exports to South Korea at $17.5 billion, 25% of the total. The top three chapters made up 45%.

  1. 27Mineral fuels and oils$17.5 billion25.3%
  2. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$8.2 billion11.9%
  3. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$5.6 billion8.2%
  4. 88Aircraft and spacecraft$4.6 billion6.7%
  5. 90Optical, medical and precision instruments$4.3 billion6.3%

US imports from South Korea

Vehicles and parts (chapter 87) led US imports from South Korea at $37.2 billion, 30% of the total. The top three chapters made up 67%.

  1. 87Vehicles and parts$37.2 billion29.6%
  2. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$24.6 billion19.6%
  3. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$22.1 billion17.6%
  4. 30Pharmaceutical products$5.3 billion4.2%
  5. 27Mineral fuels and oils$5.0 billion4.0%

Trade terms

The United States and South Korea are parties to the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. Goods that meet its rules of origin can qualify for reduced or zero duty. Our certificates of origin page covers the paperwork.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents South Korea requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with South Korea.

Exports through the port, 2025
$902.4M1.3% of the US total with South Korea
Leading export goods
Pharmaceutical productsHS chapter 30, $220.3 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$1.3B1.1% of the US total with South Korea
Leading import goods
Machinery and mechanical appliancesHS chapter 84, $422.3 million

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in South Korea

7 ports in South Korea have a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index. In the index, Ulsan records the deepest cargo pier of them, at 17.1 m.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for South Korea: Chinae, Daesan Hang, Gwangyang Hang, Pohang, Pyeongtaek Hang, Sokch'o Hang and Tonghae.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.