At the Maikapchagai customs post in the East Kazakhstan region, Chinese citizens were detained for attempting to illegally export about 2,640 liters of diesel fuel from the country — more than two tonnes, reports infohub.kz.
During inspections of four vehicles driven by Chinese nationals, officers from the East Kazakhstan Department of State Revenue (DSR) discovered specially equipped additional tanks for concealed fuel transport. The DSR explained: 'This export does not fall under exemption categories (the fuel is not humanitarian aid, certified samples for scientific purposes, or the standard volume of a vehicle's factory fuel tank). Thus, the actions of the Chinese nationals indicate a direct violation of the established ban.'
For the violation, the foreigners were held administratively liable: each was fined 32,000 tenge. The collected materials have been forwarded to the Department of Economic Investigations for the East Kazakhstan region.
The DSR reminded that, to protect the domestic market, the Ministry of Energy has introduced strict restrictions. From May 21 to November 21, 2026, a complete ban on the export of gasoline, diesel fuel, and certain types of petroleum products by road from Kazakhstan (including to member states of the Eurasian Economic Union) is in effect. Additionally, from July 1 to December 31, 2026, the export of light distillates, aviation kerosene, diesel fuel, gas oils, toluene, xylene, and petroleum bitumen outside the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union is prohibited.