Kazakhstan to tighten controls on ‘grey’ car imports from Sept. 1

Kazakhstan is moving to make “grey” car imports more difficult, targeting companies that use ordinary buyers to bring in vehicles in large quantities while avoiding requirements for legal entities.

The Ministry of Industry said such schemes reduce customs payments and allow vehicles with registration violations to enter the market. In July, the government ordered authorities to strengthen controls and prepare an action plan within 10 days.

The changes have prompted buyers to ask whether cars will become more expensive from Sept. 1. Officials have not announced an increase in the recycling fee, initial registration costs or a separate September duty. The State Revenue Committee also denied reports that import rates had risen, saying existing customs duties were unchanged.

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There have been cases of fraud.

Individuals may still import one car per year for personal use, provided they register it under customs legislation. Mass deliveries for resale must instead be treated as commercial activity.

Auto expert Alexey Alexeyev linked the government’s response partly to fraud cases, including a large Almaty dealership that collected buyer payments before disappearing. He said grey importers can sell cars below official dealership prices, but buyers may lose access to a master account, warranty and servicing. Some brands and models also lack local service because they have no official dealers.

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At a dealership, for example, a Chinese car costs 10 million, while in China it costs 5 million.