Country profile
Kazakhstan
KZ · KAZAs of: 6/24/2026Eurasian transit hub and Middle Corridor hub
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).
Overview
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.
Glossary terms
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance (Komitet gosudarstwennych dochodow)Import system
EAWU Customs Code; electronic import declaration via the Keden system (successor to Astana-1, ASYCUDA-based) of the State Revenue Committee.
Export system
Export and transit handled electronically via Keden; no customs borders within the EAWU internal market (RU, BY, AM, KG), common external customs tariff toward third countries.
Import VAT
- 16 percent standard rate (since 1.1.2026, previously 12)
- reduced rate 5 percent on medicines and medical services, 10 percent on printed media.
Import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Consignment note (CMR or rail SMGS)
- Customs declaration (Keden)
- if applicable, import licence and certificates
Export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Certificate of origin ST-1 (EAWU)
- Consignment note
- Export declaration (Keden)
- if applicable, export licence (dual-use)
Origin proofs / FTA
Within the EAWU, certificate of origin form ST-1; toward third countries WTO most-favoured-nation treatment; EAWU free trade agreements with Vietnam, Serbia, Iran and Singapore.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Licence requirements for, among others, weapons, dual-use goods, precious metals and certain raw materials; EAWU-wide prohibition and authorisation lists.
Export controls & sanctions
Kazakhstan has not joined any Western sanctions; since Dec 2025 it has its own stricter export controls and licence requirements against re-export of dual-use goods to Russia.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Asia) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Asia. Product requirements, certificates, and clearance processes can vary significantly by destination.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification
- Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
- Depending on goods: certificates/compliance documents
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Cargo airports
- Almaty (ALA)
- Astana (NQZ)
- Schymkent (CIT)
- Aktobe (AKX)
Seaports / access ports
- Aktau (Caspian Sea)
- Kuryk (Caspian Sea)
Inland ports & terminals
- Khorgos Gateway (dry port, China border)
- Dostyk (rail transshipment, China border)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Western Europe–Western China (WE-WC)
- Almaty–Astana–Russia
- Corridor to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
Rail corridors
- Dostyk/Khorgos–China
- Trans-Caspian (TITR) via Aktau/Kuryk
- Northern corridor via Russia (connection to Trans-Siberian)
Top trade lanes
- China–EU land bridge
- Kazakhstan–Russia
- Trans-Caspian to Azerbaijan/Georgia/Turkey
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Landlocked country without access to the sea; dependence on Kaspi ferries and transit countries; re-export and compliance risk (Russia sanctions evasion); tenge exchange rate volatility.
Seasonal & weather risks
Continental climate: harsh winters with snow, ice and road closures, hot dry summers; falling Kaspi water level limits port operations.
Current logistics notes
Middle Corridor (TITR) growing strongly: 2025 around 8 million t sea freight (plus 7 percent); expansion of the ports of Aktau and Kuryk by 2028, deepening of Aktau from 2025.
As of: 2026-06-24
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Airports in this country
Latest News
Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
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.
Which trade partners are important for Kazakhstan?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Kazakhstan?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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