How to clear customs for cargo and parcels in Kazakhstan: a step-by-step guide for sellers

Introduction — why a seller on Kaspi should understand the customs clearance process

If you sell on Kaspi.kz in 2026 and work with imports — from parcels from AliExpress to containers from China — knowing how customs clearance works reduces delays, lowers costs and protects your margin. In this article I provide practical instructions, calculation templates and a real example of how to calculate duties for a batch of goods, as well as guidance on when a passenger document is appropriate and when a cargo declaration is required.

Main rules of customs clearance

Briefly, the essentials in a checklist format:

1. Know the TN VED / TN VED EAEU code — the commodity code determines the duty rate and the list of requirements (certificates, marking). Prepare the code before shipping; otherwise delays during clearance are inevitable. For sellers on Kaspi this affects the price shown in the product card — see key codes and keywords.
2. Documents: invoice, packing list, contract/order, transport documents (CMR, AWB), conformity certificates/EAC, power of attorney for the broker if needed.
3. VAT and duties: calculated on the customs value (cost of goods + insurance + freight to the border). The formula — see the "Customs calculator" section. In examples I use typical rates for illustration; verify current rates on the Kazakhstan customs official website.
4. Handling inside the EAEU: Russia and Kazakhstan are members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). For commercial shipments within the EAEU import duties often do not apply, but registration and proof of origin are required for tax and accounting purposes.
5. Declaration: for commercial batches — a cargo customs declaration; for personal items and small parcels — sometimes a passenger customs declaration applies.

Practical example

Tip

Create a standard document package for a typical category (for example, mobile phones, clothing, accessories). This speeds up customs clearance and reduces the risk of requests from customs. To automate catalog and metadata uploads use AWW (repricer and analytics) and integrations with price-list export systems — read the guide on the price list for Kaspi.

Types of customs declarations: passenger and cargo

I separate cases by shipment type and volume.

Passenger customs declaration (PTD)

The PTD applies in two scenarios important for a seller:

• An individual crosses the border of Kazakhstan with personal purchases — a passenger customs declaration for Kazakhstan is issued. Limits and duty-free thresholds change, so check the rules on the customs website before travel.
• Sometimes a courier delivers a parcel, and for low-value personal shipments customs may require a PTD if the consignment is declared to an individual.

When this matters to the seller: if you accept returns from customers abroad or receive deliveries via a courier addressed to a private person, ask the sender/recipient to correctly declare the shipment status (commercial/personal) — this affects PTD completion and taxation.

Cargo customs declaration (GTD)

GTD is used for wholesale imports, containers and commercial parcels. This is the main document for business. The GTD is submitted electronically through the customs system and is usually accompanied by:

• a commercial invoice;
• a TS package of documents (certification, permits);
• driver/transport documents.

Processing times: with prepared documents GTD clearance takes from several hours to 1–2 business days; with discrepancies — weeks. In sellers’ daily practice customs delays increase working capital needs and reduce stock turnover — analyse and plan a time buffer in logistics, see the section on turnover.

Customs calculator: how to calculate duties

Below I give a universal formula and then a practical calculation example. For regular calculations build a template in Excel or use an online Kazakhstan customs calculator that accounts for duties, VAT and excise taxes.

Calculation formula (simplified)

1. Customs value = goods value (FOB) + insurance + freight to the border (CIF — if applicable)
2. Duty = Customs value × rate % (depends on the TN VED code)
3. VAT (or equivalent tax) = (Customs value + Duty + Excises) × VAT rate
4. Total payments = Duty + VAT + excises + customs fees

Note: some goods are exempt or have a zero rate. Excises apply to alcohol, tobacco, fuel, etc.

Practical example: how to calculate for a batch from China

Task: import 100 smartphones, FOB $20,000. Assume: freight to border $1,000, insurance $200. Assumed rates in the example: duty 5%, VAT 12% (in the example — check the current rate on the Customs of Kazakhstan official website). Currency conversions — use the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NB RK) exchange rate on the clearance date.

1. Customs value (CIF) = 20,000 + 1,000 + 200 = $21,200
2. Duty = 21,200 × 5% = $1,060
3. VAT = (21,200 + 1,060) × 12% = 22,260 × 12% = $2,671.20
4. Total taxes/duties = 1,060 + 2,671.20 = $3,731.20

Convert to tenge (KZT) and add customs fees and broker services. This example shows that taxes can be ~18% of CIF for a category with a 5% duty and 12% VAT.

What to consider in a customs clearance calculator

• NB RK exchange rate on the clearance date — affects the final amount in KZT.
• Transport to the border vs to a warehouse inside Kazakhstan — for some routes it’s more sensible to calculate CIF to the place of arrival.
• Additional charges — phytosanitary control, lab tests, customs warehouse storage.
• Broker fees — fixed fee or percentage.

If you frequently import the same items, automate calculations: create a template in Excel or use AWW analytical reports and the repricer to control margin after accounting for all customs costs. Read more about demand forecasting and turnover in the inventory forecasting guide.

Features of customs procedures between Russia and Kazakhstan

The key factor is membership in the EAEU. This gives several advantages and nuances a seller needs to know:

1. Internal turnover within the EAEU

There is a single customs territory between Russia and Kazakhstan. For the seller this means:

• no import duties when moving goods within the EAEU, if formalities are confirmed;
• required accompanying documents: invoice, TORG-12/consignment note, shipment register;
• control of excises and compliance with certification requirements remains in force.

Practical case: a Russian supplier sends one pallet of accessories to Almaty. Duties are not charged at the border, but Kazakhstan customs will request origin documents and proof of the commercial transaction. Prolonged correspondence with customs and lack of EAEU documents usually leads to the shipment being held for 3–7 days.

2. Clearance for deliveries across the Kazakhstan border

If cargo transits through third countries or is cleared in a Russian port, it is important to correctly indicate the place of import and the customs code. For forwarders and 3PLs it’s recommended to agree the route and document list in advance.

3. Taxation and Kaspi store

Sellers who import and sell on Kaspi often include customs expenses in the cost price of the product. This is reflected in the product card and affects pricing, margin and advertising budget. To assess profitability use the article: Kaspi seller: how to find profitable products.

Customs broker services: when it’s worth engaging third parties

Customs brokers handle document preparation, communication with customs authorities and speed up clearance. Below — selection criteria and approximate prices in 2026 for Kazakhstan (ranges, indicative):

What services a seller needs

• Preparation and submission of GTD/EXS forms electronically
• Verification of the TN VED code and duty calculation
• Border support, payment of customs fees and collection of documents
• Obtaining certificates and permits, last-mile logistics
• Consultations on disputes and delay resolution

Broker fees and payment models

Typical payment options in 2026 (approx.):

• fixed fee from 15,000 to 150,000 KZT per declaration for retail batches;
• percentage of customs value: 0.5–2%, depending on complexity;
• special tariffs for high-frequency imports (discounts for regular flows).

Example: for a shipment valued at $21,200 (see above) a broker may charge 30,000 KZT (~$70 at a 430 KZT/USD rate) for processing plus extra fees for certificate checks.

How to choose a broker — criteria

1. Licensing and positive reviews from Kaspi sellers and other marketplaces.
2. Experience in your product category (electronics, clothing, cosmetics — different requirements).
3. Price transparency and willingness to provide an SLA with timeframes.
4. Integration with your WMS/ERP or ability to export GTD in a format convenient for analytics. Connecting the marketplace API and automating accounting will speed up processing — read about the marketplace API and sales automation.

When you can skip hiring a broker

If you import small batches, use simplified procedures and have an in-house logistics specialist — you can handle it yourself. But for scaling a business a broker saves time and manages risks, improving turnover and reducing fines.

Common seller mistakes and how to avoid them

• Incorrect TN VED — leads to wrong duty rate and fines. Verify the code before shipping.
• Missing certificates for regulated goods (children’s clothing, electronics) — delays at controls.
• Unaccounted customs fees and broker commissions in cost price — results in pricing errors on Kaspi and margin erosion. Plan cumulative reserves for possible delays.
• Shipping goods on FOB terms without a clear delivery location — disputes over duty allocation.

How to build the seller’s internal process: step by step

I recommend implementing a 7-step process that can be rolled out in the team within 2–3 weeks:

1. Step 1. Product classification — assign serial TN VED codes to each SKU and create a card with required documents (certificates, labeling).
2. Step 2. Contract with a broker — sign an SLA and arrange data exchange integration (electronic GTDs).
3. Step 3. Standardised invoices — an invoice template with correct currency linkage and cost breakdown by line item.
4. Step 4. Cost calculator — Excel/BI dashboard where a single line per item shows CIF, duties, VAT, broker fee, logistics, storage and final cost price.
5. Step 5. Logistics plan — time buffers for routes with Russia and tracking of border crossings.
6. Step 6. Accounting in Kaspi product cards — reflect full cost price and minimum retail price in the product card. AWW tools for bulk editing and sales analytics help.
7. Step 7. Continuous audit — monthly compare forecasts with actual turnover and adjust buffers.

Example metrics: turnover control

If your target stock turnover is 4 turns per year (90 days in stock), then a +14 day border delay reduces efficiency by ~16%. Use marketplace analytics and sales monitoring to recalculate inventory. Also read about turnover and analysis in our glossary: Stock turnover and Sales analytics.

Parcel customs clearance: quick checklist for shipments to Kazakhstan

• Provide the real recipient and address, use IIN/BIN for commercial deliveries.
• For values above the threshold choose commercial clearance in advance, otherwise a misdeclaration can lead to the parcel being held.
• Ask the supplier for a copy of the AWB/consignment note and invoice in advance.
• If a customer asks you to “clear customs for them” — specify responsibility and additional payments in the store rules on Kaspi.

Tools and information sources

Essential sources when preparing for customs clearance:

• The official Customs of Kazakhstan website — check rates and current rules using the keywords Customs of Kazakhstan official website and regulatory acts.
• Calculation platforms — use a Kazakhstan customs calculator or your own spreadsheet with formulas. For bulk position calculations useful tools are bulk product editing and integration with the marketplace API.
• AWW services: repricer to control prices including customs costs (repricer), turnover reports and automated customer notifications (including WhatsApp marketing) to inform buyers about delays.

Short cases from 2026 practice

Case 1 — an electronics seller on Kaspi: a delay in obtaining EAC certification caused a 12-day halt of a shipment. Solution — pre-request to the certification centre, contract with a broker for expedited processing, review the product card price to account for delay risk. Result: 70% reduction in overdue shipments in the next quarter.

Case 2 — a fashion retailer: importing several small batches of clothing across the Kazakhstan–Russia border. Thanks to intra‑EAEU declarations duties were not charged, but incorrectly documented origin added 5 days for verification. Conclusion: standardise the proof-of-origin template before dispatch.

Useful links and articles for deepening

• Overview of delivery methods for Kaspi sellers — about logistics options within Kazakhstan.
• How to choose goods from China — product and logistics recommendations.
• How to find profitable products for Kaspi — about margin accounting for all costs.
• AWW glossary sections: customs clearance, importing goods, reverse logistics, marketplace analytics.

Summary: how to reduce risks and speed up customs clearance

Action checklist for a Kaspi seller:

1. Classify goods and prepare the document package in advance.
2. Use a customs calculator template for each SKU and include these costs in the cost price.
3. Work with a trusted broker and sign an SLA on timeframes.
4. Minimise delays by ensuring compliance (certification, labeling).
5. Automate accounting and monitoring with AWW tools, integrations and regular audits.

If needed, I can prepare a custom customs calculator template in Excel for your product categories and an example GTD fill-in for a Kaspi shipment. Send details about your product categories and shipping route.