South Korea is one of the most important markets of finished natural stones in the world. Which was the one that imported most in 2017?
Stonenews.eu, after studying the statistical results the International Trade Centre and the National Statistical Institutes, presents which were the finished natural stones South Korea imported most in 2017 according to the tariff codes.
From 2001 to 2017, South Korea had both positive and negative variations in natural stones imports. However, in 2013 imports were increased both in value and quantity.
Finished granite products, with tariff code 680293, stand out among finished natural stones South Korea imported in 2017, as noted in the years preceding.
The table below is presenting in brief all imports of South Korea per tariff code comparing their modifications in value, quantity and price per ton from 2016 to 2017 as well as the value and quantity shares out of the total 2017 imports.
According to the table, South Korea ‘s import prices per ton were higher by +26,4% in 2017 than in 2016 concerning code tariff 680300, by +8,42% for 680223 and marginally by +0,88% for 680293. On the contrary, the import prices were lower per ton by -12,58% concerning code tariff 680229, by -12,34% for 680299, by -7,43% concerning code tariff 680221, by -6,74% for 680291, by -3,43% for 680210 and by -1,54% for 680292.
Finally, it is worth saying that South Korea ‘s exclusive supplier of finished natural stones is China.
*Statistic reports result from the HS Codes below (Harmonized System Codes):
680293: Granite, in any form, polished, decorated or otherwise worked (excluding tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802.10, imitation jewellery, clocks, lamps and lighting fittings and parts thereof, original sculptures and statuary, setts, curbstones and flagstones).
680291: Marble, travertine and alabaster, in any form (excluding tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802.10, imitation jewellery, clocks, lamps and lighting fittings and parts thereof, buttons, original sculptures and statuary, setts, curbstones and flagstones).
680299: Monumental or building stone, in any form, polished, decorated or otherwise worked (excluding calcareous stone, granite and slate, tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802.10, articles of fused basalt, articles of natural steatite, ceramically calcined, imitation jewellery, clocks, lamps and lighting fittings and parts thereof, original sculptures and statuary, setts, curbstones and flagstones).
680300: Worked slate and articles of slate or of agglomerated slate (excluding slate granules, chippings and powder, mosaic cubes and the like, slate pencils, and ready-to-use slates or boards with writing or drawing surfaces).
680223: Granite and articles thereof, simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface (excluding with a completely or partly planed, sand-dressed, coarsely or finely ground or polished surface, tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802 10 00, setts, curbstones and flagstones).
680292: Calcareous stone, in any form (excluding marble, travertine and alabaster, tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802.10, imitation jewellery, clocks, lamps and lighting fittings and parts thereof, original sculptures and statuary, setts, curbstones and flagstones).
680210: Tiles, cubes and other processed articles of natural stone, incl. slate, for mosaics and the like, whether or not rectangular or square, the largest surface area of which is capable of being enclosed in a square of side of < 7 cm; artificially coloured granules, chippings and powder of natural stone, incl. slate.
680221: Marble, travertine and alabaster articles thereof, simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface (excluding with a completely or partly planed, sand-dressed, coarsely or finely ground or polished surface, tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802,10, setts, curbstones and flagstones).
680229: Monumental or building stone and articles thereof, simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface (excluding marble, travertine, alabaster, granite and slate, those with a completely or partly planed, sand-dressed, coarsely or finely ground or polished surface, tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802 10 00, setts, curbstones and flagstones).