Overview of 4-Digit HS Code Import Statistics
This article analyzes Korea's imports from Bangladesh from 2022 through November 2023 using 4-digit HS codes. It tracks how the import mix is evolving beyond apparel and sewing products, and reads the changing bilateral trade structure through the rise and decline of the top 20 items.
23 months
Period Covered
Jan 2022-Nov 2023
$1.62B
Total Imports
Cumulative
142
Import Items
4-digit HS codes
87%
Top 10 Share
High concentration
68%
Apparel Share
Declining trend
8
New Items
Non-apparel growth
Analysis of Leading Import Items
Top 10 import items by 4-digit HS code (cumulative, 2022-Nov. 2023)
| HS Code | Item | Import Value | Share | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6109 | T-shirts and singlets | $380M | 23.5% | -5% |
| 6110 | Jerseys, pullovers, sweaters | $210M | 13.0% | +3% |
| 6203 | Men's woven apparel | $160M | 9.9% | -8% |
| 6204 | Women's woven apparel | $140M | 8.6% | -2% |
| 6104 | Women's knit apparel | $90M | 5.6% | +5% |
| 4202 | Bags and cases (leather) | $60M | 3.7% | +12% |
| 6205 | Men's shirts | $50M | 3.1% | -10% |
| 0306 | Crustaceans including shrimp | $40M | 2.5% | +8% |
| 5209 | Dyed cotton fabrics | $30M | 1.9% | +15% |
| 5309 | Jute fabrics | $20M | 1.2% | +20% |
Changes in Import Structure
Apparel Categories (68%)
T-shirts (6109)$380M (share declining)
Knitwear (6110)$210M (steady growth)
Woven apparel (6203/04)$300M (downtrend)
Trend71% to 68% (share falling)
Non-Apparel Categories (32%)
Leather and bags (Ch.42)$60M (+12%)
Seafood (Ch.03)$40M (+8%)
Cotton fabrics (Ch.52)$30M (+15%)
Jute (Ch.53)$20M (+20%)
01
Why apparel imports are easing
Traditional apparel lines are trending down, including T-shirts (6109, -5%), men's woven apparel (6203, -8%), and men's shirts (6205, -10%). Key drivers include softer sales in Korea for global SPA brands such as Uniqlo and H&M, along with production diversification toward India and Vietnam.
02
Items gaining outside apparel
Growth is visible in leather bags (4202, +12%), crustaceans (0306, +8%), cotton fabrics (5209, +15%), and jute fabrics (5309, +20%). Bangladesh's export diversification policy and Korean buyers' broader sourcing strategies are helping support these categories.
03
What the 4-digit HS concentration shows
The top 10 items account for 87% of total imports, indicating a highly concentrated structure. Still, that concentration has fallen from 90% in 2021 to 87%, suggesting gradual expansion of non-apparel lines such as 4202, 0306, 5209, and 5309.
04
2024 outlook
The apparel share is expected to slip further toward 65%. Bangladesh's growing IT service exports and agro-processing sector may encourage additional diversification in Korean imports over time.
Import Trend by Period
H1 2022
$420M (apparel 70%)
→↓
H2 2022
$450M (non-apparel rising)
→↓
Q1 2023
$200M (seasonal adjustment)
→↓
Q2 2023
$230M (recovery)
→↓
Q3 2023
$180M (FX impact)
→↓
Oct-Nov 2023
$140M (year-end rebound)
EPA Trade Data Comprehensive Guide: Full HS-Code Analysis of Korea-Bangladesh TradeA comprehensive trade analysis by HS code
Korea-Bangladesh Apparel Export Trend, 2022-2023A detailed review of apparel trade flows
The 4-digit HS code analysis shows a structural shift in Korea's imports from Bangladesh, with apparel's share falling from 71% to 68%. Non-apparel lines such as leather goods, seafood, cotton fabrics, and jute are gaining ground, indicating gradual diversification. Even so, the market remains highly concentrated, with the top 10 items still accounting for 87% of total imports, so broader item diversification remains a key challenge.
import statisticsHS code4-digititem analysis2022-2023
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