Shampoo falls under the sub-sector of "daily-use chemical products" within the broader "manufacture of chemical raw materials and chemical products" industry. In recent years, as living standards have risen, daily necessities such as shampoo have undergone continuous upgrades, with surging demand for mid- to high-end formulations driving steady expansion of the sector. Once a simple cleanser, shampoo has evolved into a fast-moving consumer good that delivers health, beauty, emotional and eco-friendly benefits, underpinning a market worth hundreds of billions of RMB and providing millions of jobs. It is also a high-potential category in which China is rapidly gaining global export share.
Customs statistics show that, over the past five years, China's shampoo exports (HS 33051000) have followed a fluctuating but upward trend, while imports have remained relatively stable.
From January to August 2025, China's cumulative shampoo exports reached USD 137 million, up 16.79% year-on-year, with export volume at 5.95 tonnes, up 13.29%. Imports totaled USD 309 million, up 10.06% year-on-year, with import volume at 3.78 tonnes, up 14.16%.
Market snapshot Exports are concentrated in the United States, Hong Kong China, Taiwan China, the U.K., Vietnam, Russia, the DPRK, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Australia; Asia accounts for 51.55 % of shipment volume.
Imports arrive mainly from Japan, Korea, Spain, France, Australia, Germany, Thailand, the United States, Taiwan China and Turkey—together 91.83 % of the total—keeping the balance of trade firmly in surplus.
Demand for bulk-format basic shampoo in China is forecast to rise at least 25 % a year, lifted by the rapid expansion of Southeast Asian textile and daily-chemical contract manufacturers.
Trade pattern
Export lane: high-volume, basic-formula product in large packs
Import lane: high-price, functional premium SKUs
Over the next five years the category will focus on three growth tracks: eco-friendly surfactants, anti-hair-loss/repair formulas and tear-free baby & kids lines. Companies that upgrade functional formulations and adopt green packaging will drive continued market expansion.
As China's first data company, Guomaotong provides import and export customs data for over 90 countries from 2010 to present. It can accurately analyze market distribution and transaction details of import and export enterprises online, and analyze transaction volumes, prices, and supply cycles. It offers reliable data for foreign trade enterprises and industry consulting firms.
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