Core conclusions:The import procedures for the five Central Asian countries consist of two separate systems. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are members of the Eurasian Economic Union, thus they follow the EAC certification process. Starting from 2026, only electronic certificates with RA/RU prefixes issued by authorized Russian agencies will be valid; paper certificates will become invalid. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan do not recognize the EAC certification system and must obtain their own GOST-related certifications. In addition, Uzbekistan requires pre-shipment inspections according to PSI standards, depending on the type of goods being imported. In 2026, Kazakhstan’s value-added tax rate will be increased from 12% to 16%. All imported goods must include the recipient’s VAT identification number. On August 1, 2026, mutual recognition between China and Uzbekistan’s AEO systems will be implemented. Uzbekistan’s customs has designated the Chinese customs as its first partner in implementing this mutual recognition mechanism.
1. First, distinguish between different groups: When goods are sent to different countries from the same warehouse, there needs to be separate authentication processes for each shipment.
The five Central Asian countries do not form a single list of permitted countries. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are members of the Eurasian Economic Union. If a product is listed in the technical regulations of the union, then obtaining an EAC certification will allow it to be traded within the union without the need for separate certifications in each country. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, however, are not members of the Eurasian Economic Union. In these countries, EAC certificates are not recognized by customs authorities, and separate mandatory certifications must be obtained for these products.
There is another detail that can be easily overlooked: in 2026, the authority responsible for issuing EAC certificates will become region-specific. Certificates with the KZ prefix issued by local Kazakh institutions are only valid within Kazakhstan. If goods are intended to enter Russia or need to be transshipped through Russia, it is necessary to obtain certificates with the RA/RU prefix issued by authorized Russian agencies. Additionally, paper EAC certificates will no longer be valid, and products must be equipped with dynamic traceability codes. The certification process will also take longer than before.
| countries | certification system | Suitable factory type |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | EAC (RA/RU Electronic Certificate) + Some GOST-K products | Factories specializing in machinery, electrical equipment, building materials, and household appliances |
| Kyrgyzstan | EAC (Consideration of the validity of the issuing authority's country) | Factories specializing in daily necessities, household appliances, and hardware products |
| Uzbekistan | GOST-UZ + Pre-shipment inspections based on product category | Industrial equipment, building materials, and consumer goods manufacturing facilities |
| Tajikistan | TJT (GOST-TJ) National Mandatory Certification | Factories specializing in building materials, mechanical and electrical equipment, and medical devices |
| Turkmenistan | With TDS certification, it's important to be cautious when dealing with foreign exchange regulations and transactions. | Industrial products and building materials factories |
II. The first hurdle: Certification. Choosing the wrong issuing authority means that the process is not carried out properly.
The core standard in Uzbekistan is the GOST-UZ certification, which covers most industrial and consumer goods that are required to be certified. The validity period of the certification can be either per shipment, one year, or three years. For those products not covered by the mandatory certification list, Uzbekistan implements a pre-shipment inspection process called PSI: before shipment, authorized agencies in Uzbekistan inspect the goods at the port of departure, verifying the name, quantity, price, and customs code of the items. A report is then issued, and at the destination port, the goods can be cleared through customs based on this report. This procedure is often overlooked, resulting in problems when the goods arrive in Tashkent without any relevant reports.
Starting from February 15, 2026, Uzbekistan will enforce its own version of the RoHS environmental protection standards. This means that certain harmful substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium must be restricted in electronic and electrical products. Factories that produce electronic components, lighting devices, and small household appliances must ensure compliance with this requirement during the certification process. Otherwise, even if a certificate is obtained, the product may still be deemed non-compliant due to lack of compliance with environmental regulations.
III. The second threshold: customs clearance. The consistency of documents is more important than price.
Starting from 2026, Kazakhstan requires that all imported goods be accompanied by the VAT identification number of the recipient. Additionally, the HS code must match the system used by Kazakh customs. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in delays or reexpedience of the goods. Furthermore, the VAT rate has been increased from 12% to 16%. This cost must be included in the quotation phase, and cannot be discussed with the buyer after the goods arrive at the port.
The aspect that is often overlooked during customs clearance is classification of goods. The customs codes used in Central Asian countries differ from those used in China. It is common practice to simply adopt the domestic codes, but this can lead to mistakes. Incorrect classification can result in higher tax rates, triggering revaluation procedures, and in severe cases, the goods may be treated as not being declared accurately. Additionally, Chinese labels are not recognized in some Central Asian countries; therefore, English or local language labels must be used instead. The data in the waybill, invoice, and container declaration documents must be completely consistent. If there are any discrepancies, the goods will not be allowed to pass through customs.
IV. The third hurdle: settlement and logistics. Include the payment terms in the contract.
In terms of logistics, railway trains are suitable for transporting large quantities of general goods, machinery, and building materials. The delivery time from domestic locations to Almaty or Tashkent is approximately 18 to 30 days. The cost is lower compared to road transportation. However, there are some drawbacks: goods need to be transshipped at ports, and seating capacity is limited during peak seasons. Road transportation using the TIR system is better for urgent deliveries and small quantities. It takes 7 to 12 days to reach major Kazakh cities. While this method allows for direct delivery from one place to another, the freight costs are higher. In winter, ports often become congested. By 2026, the combination of multi-mode transportation and TIR systems will be available, with a total travel time of 11 days—which is 3 to 5 days shorter than traditional transportation methods.
In terms of settlement, the acceptance of the Chinese yuan in Central Asia is increasing. Kazakhstan and China are working on integrating cross-border QR code payments, and they have renewed their bilateral currency exchange agreements. Kazakhstan’s payment system now supports the Cross-Border Payment System for the Chinese yuan. When it comes to contracts, it’s important to clearly specify the currency involved, the settlement route, and who will bear the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. Turkmenistan implements foreign exchange controls, so payments from buyers often take longer than expected. In such markets, it’s recommended to require advance payments or split payments, rather than relying on a single payment period to settle the entire transaction.
After the implementation of the mutual recognition program between China and Ukraine on August 1, 2026, Chinese enterprises with advanced AEO certification will enjoy lower inspection rates, priority in inspections, and faster customs clearance procedures. This benefit is only available to those enterprises that have already obtained the AEO advanced certification. It is also necessary for these enterprises to inform Ukrainian importers of their AEO code in advance and to include that code on the import documents. Otherwise, the system will not be able to recognize the enterprise as an AEO, and thus the benefits cannot be utilized.
5. Common questions
Is it really worth going through the entire certification process just for a trial version that costs only a few hundred thousand yuan?
It’s worth making a judgment before taking a decision to simply ignore the issue and assume that the cost is negligible. Certification fees vary greatly depending on the category and system involved. However, this can be broken down into two steps: first, determine whether the product falls under the list of products subject to mandatory certifications in the target country. If it isn’t on the list, then only PSI or standard documents are required, and the threshold isn’t very high. If the product is on the list, then the certification costs should be allocated among the initial orders, taking into account the total volume shipped during the validity period of the certificate. This will help determine whether the cost per unit is acceptable. If there is a high risk of failing the certification, it’s possible to try operating with smaller batches using local agents from Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan.
2. The customer mentioned that they have local contacts who can allow the factory to process the customs declarations using their code. Is that possible?
It is not recommended. Coding and classification are essential elements of the declaration process. Using the buyer’s code for customs declaration can lead to issues if the information provided in the declaration is incorrect. In such cases, the responsibility would fall on both the exporter and the person responsible for the customs declaration. It is safer to have the factory perform the coding and classification process itself. Once the results are confirmed by checking them against the buyer’s information, then proceed with the customs declaration. This preliminary classification result also serves as a basis for subsequent pricing negotiations and tax refund calculations.
3. How long is the typical payment cycle in Central Asia? How can risks be managed accordingly?
The pace of payment depends on the method of settlement, not on the country involved. If immediate letters of credit or telegraphic transfers are used along with T/T payments, then the return of funds is tied to the ownership of the goods. In cases where credit sales are utilized, the payment period typically ranges from 60 to 120 days. However, this period may be extended due to congestion at ports or long queues for currency exchange. There are three ways to manage this situation: first, a minimum advance payment of 30% should be required for each order, with the remaining amount to be paid upon receipt of the bill of lading; second, a credit limit should be set for each buyer, and any excess payments must be secured through additional guarantees; third, the terms of the contract should include provisions regarding liability for late payments and the right to suspend deliveries in case of non-payment.
For factories that produce machinery, building materials, hardware, and household appliances, the value of Central Asia lies not in the large amounts involved in individual orders, but rather in the fact that certifications and customs procedures require only one-time investment, with subsequent use being possible. It’s recommended to spend two weeks determining the list of required certifications and codes in the target country, before deciding how much inventory to order.
Qihang Zhilian Foreign Trade Research Institute·Let China's intelligent manufacturing industry set sail to sea·Tel: 180-0327-6609
