Trade partner
U.S. Imports
$15.2B
August 2026
U.S. Exports
$6.4B
August 2026
Trade deficit
$8.8B
August 2026 · U.S. imports more than it exports
In August 2026 the United States imported $15.2B from South Korea and exported $6.4B to it, across 3,342 imported product categories.
South Korea was the 6th-largest source of U.S. goods imports in August 2026. Over the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $148.4B from South Korea and exported $78.8B to it. In August 2026, the U.S. ran a monthly goods trade deficit of $8.8B with South Korea, importing 2.4× as much as it exported. Compared with August 2025, U.S. goods imports from South Korea in August 2026 (preliminary) were 52% higher, and exports to South Korea were 10% higher. U.S. goods imports from South Korea of $15.2B in August 2026 ran 10% above the year-to-date monthly average of $13.8B.
South Korea is one of the United States' largest trading partners and a key ally in the Indo-Pacific region. The US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), in force since 2012 and updated in 2019, governs bilateral trade and has eliminated tariffs on the majority of goods exchanged between the two countries. Major US imports from South Korea include semiconductors, vehicles, machinery, and electronics, while the US exports aircraft, agricultural products, and industrial equipment to South Korea.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
The KORUS FTA eliminated tariffs on approximately 95% of industrial and consumer goods within five years of implementation. Most goods now trade duty-free, though some sensitive sectors like certain agricultural products retain limited protections.
Leading US exports to South Korea include aircraft and aerospace equipment, agricultural commodities (soybeans, corn, beef), semiconductors, petroleum products, and medical devices.
South Korea is a close US ally and a validated end-user under US export control regulations, which streamlines licensing for many controlled items. However, exporters must still comply with EAR and ITAR requirements for dual-use and defense-related goods.
The top U.S. imports from South Korea are Parts and Accessories for Automatic Data Processing Machines, Solid-State Non-Volatile Semiconductor Storage Devices and Passenger Cars with Spark-Ignition Engine, by value in the latest month.
| Rank | Product | Import value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.6B | |
| 2 | $1.8B | |
| 3 | $876.6M | |
| 4 | $702.8M | |
| 5 | $673.0M | |
| 6 | $615.2M | |
| 7 | $547.4M | |
| 8 | $334.2M | |
| 9 | $262.9M | |
| 10 | $181.8M |
| Rank | Product | Export value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.0B | |
| 2 | Civilian Aircraft, Engines, Equipment, and PartsChapter 88 · Aircraft, Spacecraft & Parts | $266.8M |
| 3 | $244.7M | |
| 4 | $232.0M | |
| 5 | $209.7M | |
| 6 | $169.4M | |
| 7 | $131.8M | |
| 8 | $131.4M | |
| 9 | $117.3M | |
| 10 | $116.0M |
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Annual data from BEA | 2025
Services Exports
$28.9B
Services Imports
$15.5B