# Kazakhstan (KZ)

**Capital:** Astana  
**Currency:** Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT) (KZT)  
**Population:** 20,495,975 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 2,724,900 km²

> Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country and a key Eurasian transit corridor between China and Europe. As a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) it shares a common external tariff with Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. Customs clearance is electronic via the Keden system. Since 1 January 2026 import VAT is 16 percent. The Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk anchor the fast-growing Middle Corridor (TITR).

Kazakhstan (ISO code KZ) lies in Central Asia, bordering Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, with access to the Caspian Sea in the west. It is the world's largest landlocked country and a presidential republic with stable, centralised institutions. The climate is continental, with cold winters, hot summers and low rainfall across steppe, desert and mountain regions. The economy is driven by energy, mining, metals and agriculture, with crude oil, gas, uranium, metals and grain as leading exports, while machinery, technology and consumer goods are imported. As a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, Kazakhstan shares a common external tariff with Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, and customs are cleared electronically through the Keden system. The standard import VAT rate is 16 percent since 1 January 2026. Strategically located between Europe and Asia, it plays a central role in the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor via the ports of Aktau and Kuryk and in the China-Europe rail land bridge through the Dostyk and Khorgos border crossings.

**Top Import Partners:** RU, CN, DE, US, TR

**Top Export Partners:** CN, IT, RU, NL, TR

**Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Vehicles, Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, Food

**Top Export Goods:** Crude oil, Natural gas, Uranium, Metals, Wheat

**Key Airports:**
- [Almaty International Airport (ALA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/almaty-international-airport-ala)
- [Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/nursultan-nazarbayev-international-airport-nqz)
- [Aktau Airport (SCO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aktau-airport-sco)
- [Aktobe Airport (AKX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aktobe-airport-akx)
- [Atyrau International Airport (GUW)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/atyrau-international-airport-guw)
- [Ayaguz Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/ayaguz-airport-2088)
- [Baikonur Krayniy Airport (BXY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/baikonur-krayniy-airport-bxy)
- [Balkhash Airport (BXH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/balkhash-airport-bxh)
- [Ekibastuz Airport (EKB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/ekibastuz-airport-ekb)
- [Hazrat Sultan International Airport (HSA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/hazrat-sultan-international-airport-hsa)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** 16 percent standard rate (since 1.1.2026, previously 12)  
**Customs complexity:** medium to high  
**Customs system:** EAWU Customs Code; electronic import declaration via the Keden system (successor to Astana-1, ASYCUDA-based) of the State Revenue Committee.  
**Customs authority:** [State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance (Komitet gosudarstwennych dochodow)](https://www.kgd.gov.kz)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Eurasian transit hub and Middle Corridor hub  
**Economic area:** EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union)  
**Logistics risk:** medium  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** high  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium to high

## FAQ

### What is the import VAT rate in Kazakhstan?

Since 1.1.2026, under the new Tax Code, the standard rate is 16 percent (previously 12 percent). Reduced rates apply: 5 percent on medicines and medical services (from 2027, 10 percent) and 10 percent on printed periodicals. Import VAT is levied on the customs value plus customs duty.

### Which customs authority and system are responsible in Kazakhstan?

The State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance is responsible (kgd.gov.kz). Clearance is carried out electronically via the Keden information system, which replaced the former ASYCUDA-based system Astana-1 and operates under the EAWU Customs Code.

### Does Kazakhstan belong to a customs union?

Yes. Kazakhstan is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAWU) together with Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. There are no customs borders in the EAWU internal market, and a common external customs tariff applies to third countries. Kazakhstan has also been a WTO member since 2015.

### Which ports and corridors are important for Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan is landlocked but has the Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk. They form the maritime section of the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, TITR) between China and Europe. The China-Europe land bridge by rail runs via the Dostyk and Khorgos border crossings.

### Is Kazakhstan affected by sanctions?

Kazakhstan itself is not subject to Western sanctions and has not joined the Russia sanctions. However, since December 2025 the country has introduced its own stricter export controls with licence requirements to restrict the re-export of dual-use goods to Russia. Traders should carefully check their supply chains for compliance.

### Which documents are required for imports into Kazakhstan?

As a rule, required are the commercial invoice, packing list, consignment note (CMR for road transport or SMGS for rail transport) and the electronic customs declaration in the Keden system. Depending on the goods, import licences, conformity or hygiene certificates may also be required.

### Which currency is used in Kazakhstan?

The national currency is the Kazakhstani tenge (KZT). The exchange rate is volatile against hard currencies, which must be taken into account in price calculation and payment processing in foreign trade.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.kgd.gov.kz](https://www.kgd.gov.kz)
- [https://stat.gov.kz](https://stat.gov.kz)
- [https://www.gov.kz](https://www.gov.kz)
- [https://kgd.gov.kz/en/section/evraziyskiy-ekonomicheskiy-soyuz](https://kgd.gov.kz/en/section/evraziyskiy-ekonomicheskiy-soyuz)
- [https://stat.gov.kz/en/industries/social-statistics/demography/](https://stat.gov.kz/en/industries/social-statistics/demography/)
- [https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/kazakhstan/corporate/other-taxes](https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/kazakhstan/corporate/other-taxes)
- [https://www.vatcalc.com/kazakhstan/kazakh-vat-rise-back-on/](https://www.vatcalc.com/kazakhstan/kazakh-vat-rise-back-on/)
- [https://www.globalvatcompliance.com/globalvatnews/kazakhstan-vat-rate-changes/](https://www.globalvatcompliance.com/globalvatnews/kazakhstan-vat-rate-changes/)

*Last verified: 2026-06-24*

---

*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/kz](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/kz)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/kz](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/kz)*