Kazakhstan is the gateway of the China-Central Asia car trade: rail wagons loaded in Xi'an or Chongqing cross at Khorgos or Dostyk and reach Almaty within two weeks. Chinese brands took 39% of the new-car market in 2025. Here are the rules that matter in 2026.
Import rules under the EAEU
Kazakhstan does not apply one simple age rule to all vehicle imports. Duties and fees depend on the vehicle's age, engine displacement, customs value, and import procedure - older vehicles carry substantially higher charges. Right-hand-drive vehicles cannot be registered for the first time in Kazakhstan.
Certification: commercial batches may use an OTTS only when imported by the certificate holder or an authorized entity. Individually imported vehicles generally require an SBKTS or another applicable conformity pathway - plan the route with your supplier early.
Note: the old workaround of clearing vehicles cheaply in neighbouring EAEU states was closed in 2025 by the special consolidated payment rules.
Taxes and fees
| Item | Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty | 15% under certain standard procedures | Personal imports depend on age, displacement and customs value |
| VAT | 16% | Standard rate from January 1, 2026 |
| Excise | KZT 100/cc above 3.0L | Large-engine passenger cars only |
| Recycling fee | official coefficients | Calculated with the coefficients in force at import; use the current official calculator |
The 15,000-vehicle preferential EV quota was exhausted on October 14, 2025 - subsequent EV imports follow the general customs and tax rules.
Getting cars from China to Kazakhstan
Rail dominates: car-carrier block trains from Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Chongqing or Chengdu cross at Khorgos-Altynkol or Dostyk-Alashankou and arrive in about 10-15 days. Road transport from Urumqi or the Khorgos hub covers Kazakhstan in 3-4 days for smaller batches.
Chinese brands in Kazakhstan
In 2025 Kazakhstan registered about 235,000 new cars (+14%), with Chinese brands at 39%: Jetour, Chery, Haval and Changan all ranked in the top ten, with JAC and Geely close behind. Crossovers dominate demand.
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Official sources
State Revenue Committee - personal import rates 2026 VAT change notice Road Traffic Law (RHD first registration)
Data reviewed August 2026 against official government sources. Regulations and tax rates change frequently - final eligibility and total cost must be confirmed per vehicle (VIN, age, displacement, energy type, importer status) with your customs broker. CBT Auto Export assists with export documentation from the China side on every order.