Kazakhstan's Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev has made a strong statement against illegal car dealers operating under grey schemes. He emphasized that such sellers must be identified, their activities suppressed, and they should be brought to criminal responsibility, including imprisonment. This statement came in response to journalists' questions about why cars from unofficial sellers are cheaper than those from official dealers, reports infohub.kz.
During a press briefing, Shakkaliyev was asked whether the crackdown on grey imports would deprive Kazakhstani citizens of the opportunity to buy cars at lower prices. The minister replied that it is not about competition but about breaking the law. "Grey car dealers, who work illegally, have no right to sell at all, you understand? We are trying to advocate that they sell something cheaper. But in many cases, it's a tampered VIN code, a repainted, overturned vehicle that can be repaired so well it looks like new," he said.
According to the minister, such cars can pose a threat to drivers and other road users. "They should be destroyed, put in prison, excuse my language. Identify and suppress their activities. That's the only way. This is a normal approach," Shakkaliyev added.
At the same time, the minister stressed that Kazakhstan does not intend to ban citizens from buying vehicles abroad on their own. Instead, authorities plan to strengthen control over car imports to prevent vehicles that do not meet safety requirements from entering the market. He said Kazakhstan is aligning national requirements with EAEU rules. Simultaneously, control over vehicle testing is being tightened, and laboratories that issued documents without proper checks are being shut down. Seven such firms have already been closed.
Meanwhile, as previously reported by Minister of Industry and Construction Yersaiyn Nagaspayev, despite existing restrictions, illegal car imports into Kazakhstan continue. Earlier, Kursiv Avto reported on which car import schemes will be suppressed starting in September. Experts also explained why buying a cheaper car imported through grey schemes could lead to serious problems for the owner.