Interview with Elnur Itenov, Head of the Kuryk Customs Post

— Elnur, what is the role of the Kuryk customs post in vehicle imports?

1. Itenov: The Kuryk customs post is located at the seaport of Kuryk and operates around the clock. Cars and cargo arrive here on ferries and Ro-Ro vessels, including from the Caucasus direction. For individuals, this is one of the sea routes for bringing a vehicle onto the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union. We carry out customs control, declaration, risk management and release of the vehicle in line with the law.

— How does clearance for an individual differ from a commercial import?

1. Itenov: An individual imports a car for personal use. Such a vehicle is declared with a passenger customs declaration through the Keden information system. A commercial import follows a different track: a goods declaration, different rates and requirements. Importantly, if a person brings in more than one vehicle in a calendar year, the customs authority may treat this as activity that is not personal use. In that case the rules for business activity apply.

— What documents does a citizen need at the post?

1. Itenov: The basic set is: an identity document; vehicle papers — a registration certificate or equivalent title; a sale-purchase contract, invoice or other proof of acquisition and value; documents confirming ownership or the right to dispose of the vehicle; transport documents — a bill of lading or ferry waybill. If the car comes from a third country, route documents are required. VIN, body number, year of manufacture, engine capacity and the parties’ details must match across all papers. Inconsistencies are one of the main reasons for delayed release.

— What does the procedure at Kuryk look like step by step?

1. Itenov: After leaving the ferry, the vehicle goes through radiation control, weighing if required, and inspection, including the inspection and screening complex. Then a passenger customs declaration is filed in the clearance building. An officer checks the documents and identification numbers and applies risk profiles. A customs examination may follow. After assessment and payment of customs duties, taxes and the customs processing fee, the car is released. The owner must then register the vehicle with the competent authority within the statutory period — generally within ten working days after the customs operations related to release.

— What payments does an individual make when clearing a passenger car?

2017. Itenov: The set of charges is standard. First, import customs duty. For most petrol and diesel passenger cars imported by individuals, the rates are those set by Decision No. 107 of the EEC Council of 20 December 2017. According to clarifications by the State Revenue Committee, a 15 percent rate of customs value still applies to a large share of cars up to seven years old. Older cars are charged specific rates in euro per cubic centimetre of engine capacity. Second, value-added tax at 16 percent of the tax base, which includes customs value and duty. Third, the customs processing fee — six monthly calculation indices. Separately, after customs release, the recycling (utilisation) fee and the primary state registration fee are payable. Their amount depends on category, age and engine type. Electric vehicles have separate preferential regimes, but quotas and conditions must be checked on the date of import.

— Can a car be brought in temporarily without full clearance?

1. Itenov: Yes. A vehicle registered abroad may be temporarily imported by an individual with relief from customs duties and taxes for the period provided by law. In practice a period of up to 90 days is often cited for certain categories of international movement and temporary admission. The term and conditions depend on the person’s status and the regime. Temporary admission does not replace release for personal use. If a citizen intends to operate the car permanently in Kazakhstan and register it, full customs clearance is required.

— Where do people most often go wrong?

1. Itenov: First, an incomplete or inconsistent set of documents, especially on value and title. Second, an attempt to understate customs value. The risk-management system and price information detect this; value is adjusted, charges are recalculated, and liability may follow. Third, bringing in several cars “for personal use” in one year. Fourth, not realising that after customs one still needs a vehicle construction safety certificate, an electronic vehicle passport, the recycling fee and registration. Since 20 October 2025, under an EAEU decision, individuals cannot obtain the safety certificate for certain types of vehicles that are not on the approved list. Such cars cannot be fully cleared and registered. Fifth, confusion between the national tariff and the EAEU Common Customs Tariff. If a car was cleared at a lower national rate, taking it later to another Union state may require payment of the difference.

— How does the post address grey imports and smuggling?

1. Itenov: We use risk management, examination, screening complexes, and cooperation with the Border Service, the transport prosecutor’s office and economic investigation bodies. The post’s record shows that concealed goods in trucks have been detected more than once, involving tens of millions of tenge in unpaid charges. For cars, control is built on VIN identification, database checks and analysis of the document chain. A compliant declarant benefits: a legal vehicle moves faster.

— What would you advise a Mangystau resident planning to import a car via Kuryk?

1. Itenov: Prepare the papers before boarding the ferry. Check the VIN on every document. Value the car realistically, using the contract and market data. File the declaration in Keden without errors. Allow time for inspection and payment. Remember the one-car-per-year rule for personal use. After release, do not delay the safety certificate, the electronic passport, the recycling fee and registration. Advice is available from the state revenue contact centre and from information boards at the post. Our job is not to put a barrier in front of a law-abiding person, but to apply equal and transparent rules for everyone.

— Has the post gone digital?

1. Itenov: Yes. Electronic declaration, integration with the Keden platform, screening complexes and elements of a single window reduce face-to-face contact and queues. The port and the post operate 24 hours a day. The digital trail of the transaction protects both the budget and the vehicle owner.

Interview prepared by the Department of State Revenues for the Mangystau Region.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-mangistau/press/news/details/1287471?lang=ru