Kyrgyz entrepreneurs working on marketplaces are facing serious obstacles. At the moment, they cannot deliver their goods to warehouses in Russia, which puts the business of nearly 30,000 local sellers at risk.
Desperate Situation for Sellers
Kyrgyz businessmen registered on Russian marketplaces feel this situation particularly acutely. According to current regulations, they are required to independently organize the delivery of their goods to warehouses, but this is currently impossible.Azamat Kerimbek uulu, the owner of a manufacturing business, shares the situation: "In Russia, it is necessary to pay domestic VAT; however, residents of Kyrgyzstan cannot do this when importing goods. This requires the presence of an official recipient in Russia, which effectively blocks supplies even when all laws are followed."
He explains that the delivery process involves several stages: from the bill of lading to certification. At each stage, the sender (the Kyrgyz businessman) and the recipient (the Russian company) must be indicated.
"In essence, the Russian company must accept the goods, pay the VAT, and ensure their legality for sale on marketplaces. But how is this possible if the seller is a Kyrgyz entrepreneur?" — Kerimbek uulu questions.
We are ready to pay VAT, but we cannot do so due to the lack of necessary legislative norms.Theoretically, a Kyrgyz businessman can obtain a temporary residence permit in Russia and then register as an entrepreneur, but this process takes at least three months. In the garment industry, where goods are produced seasonally, this is unacceptable.
Maksatbek Abdiжalilov, a representative of a logistics company, notes that this issue was not properly addressed initially. Kyrgyz entrepreneurs were invited to trade on Russian marketplaces, but the issues of VAT payment remained unresolved.
He emphasizes: "This is a serious problem that can negatively impact the economy. It is only a matter of time before workshops start closing, and how many families will be left without income."
Marketplace Responses
The company Ozon stated that it provides assistance to Kyrgyz sellers in delivering goods to Russia through a cross-docking service."The seller brings goods to our reception point in Kyrgyzstan, and Ozon takes care of all further logistics, including document processing and tax payment, which relieves partners of difficulties at the border," — the company explained.
Wildberries reported that they are receiving inquiries from partners regarding the import of goods from Kyrgyzstan. "We have held meetings with the Association of Sellers and tax authorities and are actively working on resolving all aspects of this issue," — they added.
Need for Legislative Changes
Azamat Kerimbek uulu points out that the approaches of marketplaces to this problem differ, and there is no unified solution. Legislative changes at the level of the EAEU are necessary to resolve the situation.A representative of the logistics company adds that the problem concerns not only Kyrgyzstan but also all entrepreneurs working through marketplaces. Currently, negotiations are underway between EAEU countries to regulate relations between sellers and marketplaces and establish a special tax rate for them.
"At the moment, discussions are ongoing about what tax rate will be set for sellers, but this process will also take time. It is reported that a corresponding document will be prepared by June 1, 2026, which is quite an optimistic timeline," — concluded Maksatbek Abdiжalilov.
