Importing and clearing a car into Kazakhstan

Three separate payments

The total cost of importing is made up of several payments — don't confuse them:

• customs clearance — duty, VAT and excise; paid only for cars from third countries (not the EAEU);
• the recycling fee — depends on engine size and vehicle type;
• the first-registration fee — depends on the car's age (very high for old cars).

From Russia and EAEU countries

There's no customs duty if the car was properly cleared inside the EAEU (an e-PTS exists, the recycling fee was paid). Key pitfall: if the car entered Russia at a reduced rate, moving it to Kazakhstan may require paying the difference to the common EAEU tariff. Temporary import without clearance — up to 1 year.

From third countries and the registration fee

From third countries you pay customs duty, VAT and excise. Electric cars used to enter duty-free, but from 2026 that relief was cancelled — duty and VAT generally apply. The first-registration fee matters most: low for new cars but very high (effectively prohibitive) for cars over 3 years old, which often makes importing a used car uneconomical.

What you'll need

To register the car you'll usually need:

• the car's documents (for the EAEU — an electronic PTS / e-PTS);
• the purchase contract;
• the owner's passport and IIN;
• MTPL insurance, the registration payment and licence plates.

How to calculate precisely

Recycling and registration rates are revised regularly. Before buying, calculate the total for the specific car (engine size, year, fuel type) on egov.kz or at a special PSC to avoid surprises.