Starting January 1, 2027, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) plans to introduce new rules for importing goods purchased through foreign online stores and marketplaces. Most such purchases will be subject to a single customs duty of 5%, but not less than €1 per kilogram... reports the website infohub.kz.
Previously, the new procedure was to be introduced on July 1, 2026, but the timeline had to be postponed due to incomplete ratification of amendments to the EAEU Customs Code by one of the union's member states.
Now, the heads of government of the EAEU countries have instructed to ensure readiness for the practical application of the new norms from January 1, 2027. This decision was made following a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council held on August 6-7 in Cholpon-Ata.
What will change for purchases on foreign marketplaces? One of the main innovations is the change in the status of goods that individuals purchase through foreign online stores. They will be separated into a distinct category – goods of electronic commerce.
Andrei Slepnev, Minister for Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission, previously noted that creating a separate category for such goods is one of the key changes in the EAEU Customs Code.
"The key innovation of the amendments to the EAEU Customs Code is the separation of goods purchased through external electronic commerce into a distinct category, with the definition of specific regulatory features," Slepnev said.
The new rules will also affect purchases on foreign marketplaces such as Amazon, AliExpress, Pinduoduo, and Temu. For goods of electronic commerce, a separate customs declaration will be provided, as well as a specific procedure for collecting duties and taxes.
The duty-free import threshold is planned to remain at €200. If the purchase value exceeds this amount, a single customs duty of 5% (but not less than €1 per kilogram) will apply. Additionally, Kazakhstan imposes a VAT of 16%. Currently, when the duty-free threshold is exceeded, a single payment of 15% (including VAT) is applied.
Why did the new rules not come into effect on July 1? Initially, the new mechanism was planned to be launched on July 1, 2026. However, the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan reported a postponement. The reason was that one of the EAEU member states had not completed the domestic procedures required for ratifying the amendments to the Customs Code. Since the unified norms must come into force simultaneously in all member states, it was impossible to launch them on the initially set date.
The ratification situation has since changed. According to the EEC, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan have already completed the necessary procedures. For the amendments to take effect, the commission needs to receive the last ratification instrument. At the August meeting of the Intergovernmental Council, the heads of government instructed the EAEU countries to prepare their legislation and information systems for the practical application of the new mechanism from January 1, 2027.