Starting September 26, Kazakhstan changed its rules for issuing electronic vehicle passports (EVPs). For individuals, registering certain imported cars older than five years has become impossible, infohub.kz reports.
Under the new rules, laboratories now accept EVP applications from individuals importing cars for personal use under a passenger customs declaration only if the vehicle is less than five years old. For certain older passenger cars from Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries, the electronic passport is given "incomplete" status. Such a vehicle cannot be registered for the first time in Kazakhstan. Whether registration is possible depends on the car's origin and its documents.
The new requirements supplement existing rules on vehicle imports by citizens for personal use. In particular, a vehicle design safety certificate (SBCCTS) may be obtained for no more than one car per year. Along with it, one trailer weighing up to 3.5 tonnes or a motorhome may also be registered.
For personal use, customs payments apply — from 48% of the vehicle's value or from 1.5 euros per cubic centimeter of engine displacement, depending on the calculation method.
For legal entities, a different procedure applies: the vehicle is registered under a vehicle type approval (OTTS), and the customs rate is 15%.
Another change took effect on September 22. Documents for payment of the recycling fee must now be completed before the vehicle is released into free circulation. This requirement is tied to the vehicle's customs clearance.
The Ministry of Transport has prepared amendments that would require cars and motorcycles imported by individuals for personal use to meet at least Euro-5 emission standards and be no more than five years old. These requirements have not yet taken effect.
In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs plans to amend registration rules. It proposes allowing first-time registration of a vehicle only to the person who actually brought it across the border and is named in the customs documents.
Earlier, Kursiv Auto reported that Kazakhstan's vehicle import rules would be split for businesses and individuals.