A Guide to Importing Used Cars from China to Kazakhstan in 2024

In 2024, the used car trade from China to Kazakhstan is set to grow due to the two nations improving bilateral relationships. As a result, this guide is designed to facilitate the importation process under such conditions.

Strengthened by the growth of Bilateral Trade

According to the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan, bilateral trade created a value of $41.02 billion by the end of 2023. The value had grown approximately by 31.6% from the previous year. The robust trade relations between the two countries offer importers a great business opportunity.

Kazakhstan’s Automotive Market Context

Understanding Kazakhstan’s automotive context is instrumental. It is noted that being a left-hand drive regulation country without domestic auto brand ownership implies it thrives with import. The country’s automotive market is strong as cited by the 60.3% sales growth rate in 2023. The market opens more windows to import from China, particularly vehicles from Chinese brands like Chery, JAC, and ChangAn, which have proved popular in Kazakhstan.

Success through Regulatory Compliance

Compliance with the Kazakhstan authorities’ regulation means that importers can import Chinese used cars sustainably. The country upholds strict regulations against the import of right-hand drive vehicles and those with an engine displacement exceeding 3 liters, ensuring a specific vehicle profile dominates the market.

Navigating Duties and Taxes

Kazakhstan’s accession to the World Trade Organization compels it to ease its tariffs, as an EAEU member-state, Kazakhstan has its different import value propositions now. Importers must navigate a landscape of customs duties, value-added tax (VAT), and scrapping tax on imported used cars.

- Customs Duty

- Used cars between 0 and 7 years of age: 15%

- Used cars older than 7 years, except for those with a displacement of 1500 ml-3000 ml:

15 % customs duty is levied, provided that the cost of customs duty is not less than 0.6

euros/ml.

- Used cars older than 7 years, and with a displacement of 1500 ml-3000 ml, customs duty

is levied at the rate of 0.5 euros/ml, provided that the cost of customs duty is not less than

15% and not more than 18%.

- Electric cars: exemption from customs duty and other taxes for citizens of Kazakhstan who

buy an electric car from abroad for personal use.

- Value added tax

- 12%

- Scrapping tax

- based on the vehicle's age and displacement.

Documents Required for Import

- Copy of technical passport/certificate of title.

- Original vehicle registration certificate.

- Commercial/purchase invoice.

- Bill of Lading (BOL).

- Original customs declaration.

- Invoice in the form of detailed information about the vehicle (VIN, engine number, year of

 manufacture, model, color, and reasonable customs value).

- Letter of Undertaking (for temporary importation up to 12 months).

In conclusion, the landscape for importing used cars from China to Kazakhstan in 2024 is ripe with potential. The market potential for used car imports can be described as a golden age, given plenty of room for imports, and a huge market share picked up by Chinese brands and used cars.