What is the recycling fee (utilsbor) in Kazakhstan?

The recycling fee is a flat charge — not a percentage — levied on imported vehicles by engine size and age. It can range from roughly USD 1,000 for a small, newer car to USD 7,000 or more for an older, large-engined vehicle, and is paid on top of customs duty and VAT. Our team quotes the exact fee for your specific car before you commit.

How does the car reach landlocked Kazakhstan from Japan?

Kazakhstan has no seaport on the Pacific or Indian Ocean. The standard routes run ocean freight from Japan to a transit port, then overland — either via Aktau on the Caspian Sea or through Central Asian road corridors. Our team selects the most practical route and manages each leg end to end.

Is right-hand drive allowed in Kazakhstan?

Yes, right-hand-drive vehicles are permitted in Kazakhstan in practice, and Japan's RHD stock is regularly imported. Our team confirms any registration nuances for your chosen model before sourcing.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Kazakhstan

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia and one of the region's more active used-car import markets. It operates within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) customs framework, which means duty rates follow the EAEU Unified Tariff — typically around 15% for passenger cars based on engine size and age — plus 16% VAT (which rose from 12% in January 2026). The single biggest cost surprise for many buyers is the recycling fee (utilsbor): a large fixed charge levied by engine size and vehicle age that can run from roughly USD 1,000 to USD 7,000, and which applies on top of all other taxes. Right-hand-drive vehicles are permitted in practice. Kazakhstan has no blanket age ban, but duty and the recycling fee rise sharply with age, making newer cars with smaller engines significantly cheaper to import. Because Kazakhstan is landlocked, there is no direct sea route from Japan. The most common transit path runs ocean freight from Japan to a Russian Far East port, then overland into Kazakhstan, or alternatively through Aktau port on the Caspian Sea via a ferry crossing. Our licensed team manages the full route, from sourcing at Japan auction through pre-shipment inspection, ocean and overland transit, EAEU customs clearance and delivery to your city. We quote the recycling fee and total duty load before you commit so there are no surprises.

Main ports: Aktau + inland
Import age rule: No outright age ban for individuals, but duty and the recycling fee rise sharply with age and engine size, and vehicles under 3 years generally need type approval (WVTA/OTTC) for commercial import. Most Japanese used cars arrive overland from Russian Far East ports; Aktau (Caspian) is the nominal seaport.
Steering: both
Duties & taxes: Kazakhstan applies the EAEU Unified Customs Tariff (duty by engine size and vehicle age, often with a euro-per-cc minimum), an excise on engines over 3000cc, and VAT that is 12% in 2025 and rises to 16% from 1 January 2026. The single biggest cost is usually the recycling fee (utilsbor), a large fixed charge that can run from roughly 500,000 to 3,500,000 tenge (about USD 1,000-7,000) depending on engine size and age. RHD is allowed in practice, but the recycling fee makes importing an ordinary used car expensive.

Loading calculator…

Estimate only — duties, freight and last-mile delivery vary and policies change. Our team confirms exact, current figures on WhatsApp before any bid.

How to import a car from Japan to Kazakhstan

Choose a car that fits the EAEU duty structure
Engine size and vehicle age both drive Kazakhstan's recycling fee and EAEU duty; we advise on the best specification before sourcing to keep your total landed cost under control.
We source it from Japan's auctions
Our licensed USS auction access lets us find the car, read its auction sheet and grade, and confirm actual condition before you commit. We note the engine displacement and year needed for the customs assessment.
Pre-shipment inspection and export documentation
We arrange a condition inspection in Japan and prepare the export documents and EAEU conformity papers needed for Kazakhstan customs clearance and local registration.
Transit to Aktau port and overland entry
The car is routed via the Caspian transit hub at Aktau or through an overland route — our team selects the most efficient option and manages the Chinese or Russian transit customs at each stage.

Import duties & taxes in Kazakhstan explained

Kazakhstan uses the EAEU Unified Customs Tariff, which applies duty at approximately 15% for passenger cars, calculated on the customs value and often with a minimum floor per cc of engine displacement. On top of duty, VAT at 16% applies (raised from 12% as of 1 January 2026). The largest single charge for most buyers is the recycling fee (utilsbor) — a mandatory fixed levy by engine size and vehicle age that can range from roughly USD 1,000 to USD 7,000 and is not a percentage but a flat charge. Engines over 3000cc attract an additional excise. Because the exact duty bracket, recycling fee band and VAT base depend on your car's engine size, year and customs value, our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Kazakhstan

Honda Fit
A small-engine hatchback that sits in the lowest recycling-fee and duty bands — practical, fuel-efficient and well suited to Kazakhstan's long city commutes and flat steppe highways.
See prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
A reliable right-hand-drive compact sedan with a proven 1.5L engine that keeps duty and recycling-fee costs on the lower end while delivering real everyday durability.
See prices
Mazda Demio
A well-finished small hatchback with good fuel economy; the modest engine size helps avoid the higher recycling-fee bands, making it a cost-effective import.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
Light and economical with a small footprint; easy to import within the lower EAEU duty bracket and cheap to run in Almaty or Astana traffic.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Kazakhstan

Aktobe — Inland delivery from Aktau to Aktobe adds roughly $830 for a sedan.
Shymkent — Inland delivery from Aktau to Shymkent adds roughly $1,210 for a sedan.
Karaganda — Inland delivery from Aktau to Karaganda adds roughly $1,390 for a sedan.
Astana — Inland delivery from Aktau to Astana adds roughly $1,350 for a sedan.
Almaty — Inland delivery from Aktau to Almaty adds roughly $1,560 for a sedan — the longest overland leg in the country.

Frequently asked questions

What is the recycling fee (utilsbor) in Kazakhstan?: The recycling fee is a flat charge — not a percentage — levied on imported vehicles by engine size and age. It can range from roughly USD 1,000 for a small, newer car to USD 7,000 or more for an older, large-engined vehicle, and is paid on top of customs duty and VAT. Our team quotes the exact fee for your specific car before you commit.
How does the car reach landlocked Kazakhstan from Japan?: Kazakhstan has no seaport on the Pacific or Indian Ocean. The standard routes run ocean freight from Japan to a transit port, then overland — either via Aktau on the Caspian Sea or through Central Asian road corridors. Our team selects the most practical route and manages each leg end to end.
Is right-hand drive allowed in Kazakhstan?: Yes, right-hand-drive vehicles are permitted in Kazakhstan in practice, and Japan's RHD stock is regularly imported. Our team confirms any registration nuances for your chosen model before sourcing.