Importing “grey” cars to become more difficult in Kazakhstan from September 1
Earlier, the Ministry of Industry said that some companies use schemes involving ordinary buyers to import cars in large quantities. This allows them to bypass the requirements imposed on legal entities. As a result, the treasury receives less in customs payments, while cars whose registration was carried out with violations enter the market.
In July this year, the government instructed authorities to strengthen control over the illegal import of cars into the republic. At that time, the relevant ministries were instructed to develop an action plan within 10 days. Ideally, these measures should reduce the illegal import of cars into Kazakhstan.
After the government’s instruction, ordinary buyers began wondering whether cars in Kazakhstan would become more expensive from September 1. However, the government has not announced either an increase in the recycling fee, a rise in the cost of initial registration, or a separate September duty. In July, the State Revenue Committee also denied online reports about an alleged increase in rates for importing cars. The agency emphasized that the current customs duties had not changed.
At the same time, officials reminded that when importing a car for personal use, the restriction remains in place: no more than one car per person per year, and registration must be carried out in accordance with customs legislation.
“There have been cases of fraud. A large car dealership in Almaty on Suyunbay operated this way for a year and a half: a person made a 30 percent prepayment, the car was delivered to Khorgos, then the buyer paid for it in full, as well as all taxes and fees. The dealership worked for a year and a half. Then they collected orders and disappeared. Well, later they were found, but without the money. The people affected lost their money. Perhaps these cases prompted the government to deal with ‘grey’ importers,” auto expert Alexey Alexeyev said.
One of the key measures concerns the purpose of the vehicle. An individual may import a car for personal use, but mass deliveries for subsequent resale must be registered as commercial activity.
According to the auto expert, a “grey” importer sells a car cheaper than official dealerships. This is what benefits ordinary consumers.
“At a dealership, for example, a Chinese car costs 10 million, while in China it costs 5 million. How does the person importing the car benefit? The point is that a ‘grey’ importer can get it for around 7.5 million. The more expensive the car, the more the buyer saves. For example, cars that cost 32 million at an official dealer with a warranty can be brought in by ‘grey’ importers for a maximum of 26 million. That is a difference of several million. But it is not that significant in the sense that the person does not receive a master account, has no warranty and no service. Many brands and models have no service here because there are no official dealers. Over time, all of this will be brought into order. And what the government is now initiating is most likely moving in that direction,” Alexeyev explained.
Some experts say the most likely scenario is a 10–15 percent increase in prices for some parallel-import cars, a reduction in their price advantage and a subsequent reaction from the secondary market. Official cars and Kazakhstan-assembled vehicles will not be directly affected by the September price increase, the TV channel notes.