Kazakhstan's import rules are shaped by its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which means the numbers look a little different from the ASEAN or South Asian markets we cover elsewhere. The headline point: duty applies at broadly the same rate whether the vehicle is new or used, but a separate recycling fee and EAEU technical-regulation requirements apply regardless of age.

Duty and tax rates

  • Import duty: Kazakhstan applies the EAEU common external tariff, which runs around 15% for both new and used passenger vehicles.
  • VAT: 12% VAT applies on customs value plus duty.
  • Recycling fee: A separate recycling fee (utilization fee) applies to imported vehicles as an EAEU-wide requirement, independent of the standard duty and VAT calculation. The fee schedule is updated periodically, so it should be confirmed at time of order rather than assumed from prior quotes.

Landed cost formula

  • FOB price of the vehicle
  • + $1,450 fixed ocean/rail freight
  • + Insurance (1.1% of FOB)
  • + Import duty (~15% × CIF value)
  • + VAT (12% × (CIF + duty))
  • + $650 fixed clearance and documentation fee
  • = Total Landed Cost (before the separate EAEU recycling fee, which your broker will quote based on the current schedule)

Because Kazakhstan's duty rate doesn't swing sharply between new and used vehicles the way some Southeast Asian markets do, the recycling fee and EAEU technical-regulation compliance costs end up being the details most worth nailing down early with your broker — they can materially affect the final number even when duty and VAT are relatively predictable.

EV incentives

Kazakhstan has periodically offered recycling-fee waivers or reduced registration costs for fully-electric vehicles as part of broader green-economy initiatives. These incentives are not always standing policy, so it's worth checking current status specifically for the vehicle and timing of your order rather than assuming a waiver applies.

Timeline

As a landlocked Central Asian market, Kazakhstan has the longest transit window of the markets covered here: sea-plus-rail routing from China typically runs 35-48 days, meaningfully longer than the 12-20 day Southeast Asia routes or the 20-30 day South Asia routes. Building that lead time into your planning is important if you're working toward a registration deadline.

EAEU technical regulations

Because Kazakhstan is part of the EAEU, imported vehicles need to meet common EAEU technical regulations regardless of age — this is a separate compliance track from duty and VAT, and it's worth confirming documentation requirements with your broker well before the vehicle ships.

Documentation buyers typically need

Standard EAEU import clearance generally requires a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, and a declaration of conformity to EAEU technical regulations. The recycling fee calculation and payment is typically handled as a distinct step alongside the standard customs declaration — your broker can walk you through the current process.

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Kazakhstan restrict used-vehicle age like some other markets? Kazakhstan does not apply the kind of hard age-ceiling seen in markets like Kenya or Nigeria, but EAEU technical-regulation compliance and the recycling fee apply to imported vehicles regardless of age — so an older used vehicle can still face meaningful compliance costs.
  • Is Kazakhstan left-hand or right-hand drive? Left-hand drive (LHD), matching BYD's standard LHD export configuration.
  • Does the recycling fee apply to electric vehicles? Kazakhstan has periodically offered recycling-fee waivers or reductions for fully-electric vehicles as part of green-economy initiatives, but this is not guaranteed standing policy — confirm current status for your specific order.
  • Why is the shipping timeline so much longer than Southeast Asia? Kazakhstan is landlocked, so vehicles typically move by a combination of sea and rail routing through regional ports, which takes considerably longer (35-48 days) than a direct sea route to a coastal Southeast Asian market (12-20 days).

Rates shown are indicative only — always confirm current duty, VAT and any EV incentives with a licensed customs broker in-country before ordering.

BYD Global Export is an independent export trading company and is not an authorized dealer or representative of BYD Auto Co., Ltd.

Planning a BYD import into Kazakhstan? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll help you scope out the full landed-cost picture, recycling fee included.