Kazakhstanis will be allowed to import vehicles for personal use only if two conditions are met: the vehicle must meet Euro 5 or a higher environmental class, and no more than five years must have passed since its manufacture date. The Ministry of Transport approved these requirements, infohub.kz reports.
Acting Transport Minister M. Kaliakparov signed Order No. 293 on October 28, 2026. The document was registered with the Ministry of Justice the following day under No. 40257. It amends the permissible parameters for motor vehicles approved in 2015.
The conditions for citizens are set out in a new clause 19-1. Vehicles imported by an individual for personal use are allowed to travel on the country's roads only if both requirements are met.
"Release into circulation on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan of motor vehicles imported by individuals into the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan for personal use in accordance with the List of certain types of motor vehicles and motorcycles and trailers for motor vehicles and motorcycles that are vehicles for personal use, approved by Decision of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 74 of June 30, 2017, for movement on the highways of the Republic of Kazakhstan is permitted subject to the following requirements: 1) compliance of the motor vehicle with environmental class 5 or a higher environmental class; 2) the period calculated from the date of manufacture of the vehicle does not exceed five years," the order says.
The list referenced in the order, in addition to passenger cars, includes motorcycles, mopeds and scooters, vehicles for carrying no more than 12 people including the driver, and trucks with a gross weight of up to 5 tonnes. It also covers quad bikes and snowmobiles, trailers weighing up to 3.5 tonnes, and motorhome trailers.
Clause 19-1 does not apply to legal entities or individual entrepreneurs. They are subject to the previous table of standards, in which environmental classes 4 and 5 are tied to the country of origin and year of manufacture, with no age limit. The new version of clause 19 names these importers explicitly.
"Permissible standards for emissions of harmful (polluting) substances by motor vehicles released into circulation on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan by legal entities, as well as by individuals registered as individual entrepreneurs, must comply with the following values," the document states.
The five-year limit for individuals is already partly in effect. Order No. 474 of the Ministry of Industry and Construction has been in force since September 26, under which an electronic passport is issued only for cars no older than five years, and the owner's details must match those of the declarant. One individual may obtain such a passport for one car per year.
At a meeting at the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, the Ministry of Transport explained that the requirements would apply to cars being imported and registered in Kazakhstan for the first time. They do not apply to cars already registered in the country. The ministry said the measures were aimed at reducing imports of old cars and gradually renewing the vehicle fleet.
Order No. 293 was published on October 30 and takes effect 60 calendar days later, on December 30, 2026. Those planning to import a car for personal use should check its manufacture date and environmental class against the new conditions in advance.