Kazakhstan has completed the use of the quota for duty-free import of electric vehicles established by the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). This has resulted in many cars being stuck at the border, with owners unable to retrieve their vehicles. This situation raises doubts about the sustainable development of the electric vehicle market in the country and undermines the course towards a "green" economy, reports Arbat Media.
According to information from the Committee of State Revenues, by October 15, 15,000 electric vehicles had been imported into Kazakhstan, which is the limit set by the decision of the Eurasian Economic Commission. Now all new cars will be subject to duties and taxes.
Previously, the agency recommended that citizens consider the remaining quota when purchasing electric vehicles to avoid issues with registration.
With the quota exhausted, owners will be required to pay a 15% duty and a 12% value-added tax (in 2026, this will rise to 16%). This will lead to an increase in the cost of electric vehicles by 30–40%.
Customs points have accumulated a large number of electric vehicles that can no longer be processed under preferential conditions. Owners waiting for their cars are facing delays and the risk of paying high duties and VAT, noted Oleg Pak, deputy chairman of the "Baitak" party.
He emphasized that such measures will negatively impact the eco-market, which has been actively developing in recent years. In 2024, Kazakhstan imported 12 times more electric cars than in 2022; thanks to duty-free imports, the number of electric vehicles has increased to nearly 20,000.
According to Pak, the current quotas do not meet real demand.
He called for immediate discussions at the level of the EEC regarding increasing the quota for duty-free import of electric vehicles into Kazakhstan for the remainder of 2025. Society and the market have shown that demand significantly exceeds the established limits. We insist on extending the duty-free import regime for electric vehicles for at least until the end of 2028, he added.
The expert also reminded that Kazakhstan has not yet established the production of its own electric vehicles, so the restrictions do not protect local businesses.
Furthermore, he noted that the transition to electric vehicles is economically beneficial, as the operating costs for electric vehicles are lower than for internal combustion engine vehicles. In the future, it is also possible to switch industrial equipment, such as excavators, dump trucks, and loaders, to electricity.
