All goods entering the customs territory of Kazakhstan are subject to declaration and customs clearance at approved customs clearance points.  A full declaration of goods must be filed within thirty days of arrival, but a brief declaration and notification on arrival of goods shall be submitted to the customs body within 24 hours after the goods cross the border and are placed at a temporary storage warehouse.  With the exception of private persons permitted to transfer goods under a simplified procedure, a customs declaration must be filed by a Kazakhstani entity - that is, a business organization registered under Kazakhstani law, or its affiliate or representative located in Kazakhstan, an individual entrepreneur registered in Kazakhstan, or a permanent resident of Kazakhstan.   Foreign entities cannot deal directly with customs officials in Kazakhstan and are legally required to use services provided by licensed customs brokers having the right to operate in in the country.

A party declaring commercial goods at a customs office in Kazakhstan for their release for free circulation is responsible for submitting the paper and electronic copies of customs declarations (one copy of each per shipment), as well as accompanying documents.  The Customs Cargo Declaration (5 copies) must be completed in either the Kazakh or Russian language.  Other documents may be submitted in a foreign language.  A customs officer, however, has the authority to request a translation of such documents into Kazakh or Russian as well as a notarization of the translation.  In addition to the Customs Cargo Declaration, a party declaring goods is required to submit a set of other documents including invoices, a contract for the supply of goods, an import/export transaction passport and shipping documents (e.g., bill of lading, airway bill, etc.).  The passport of transaction is the primary tool used in the framework of the currency control system.  The passport of transaction represents a cross-agency document filled out by the exporter/importer and reviewed by customs officials and representatives of the exporter/importer’s bank.

Starting January 1, 2020, Kazakhstan imposed restrictions on the duty-free importation of “personal” goods.  The threshold of duty-free importation of goods for personal use of land and sea transport to the territory of EAEU member countries has been reduced to 200 euros, and the total weight of such goods should not exceed 31 kilograms. Import of used household goods and personal effects to Kazakhstan is subject to payment of import customs duty, fee and VAT. Thy are charged based on CIF value – cost, insurance, freight value – listed in waybill or carrier’s invoice or invoice that arrived at the shipment.