Kazakhstan Cuts Imports of Passenger Cars from Russia Almost to Zero

The collapse is linked to an order by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology that came into force in May

Deliveries of passenger cars from Russia to Kazakhstan have nearly stopped. In June 2026, imports in monetary terms fell to a critically low level of just $72, according to data from the Bureau of National Statistics cited by TASS.

As recently as May, $111,400 was spent on cars from Russia, while in April the total reached $5.5 million. During winter and early spring, monthly figures ranged between $1 million and $1.5 million.

The collapse is due to an order by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology, which took effect in May. The agency sharply increased the recycling fee for vehicles from Russia and Belarus. For popular passenger cars with engines between 1 and 2 liters, the coefficient rose to 136. Now buyers must pay 29.4 million tenge, or about 5.38 million rubles — a sum exceeding the price of most Russian cars.

Despite the situation in the automotive sector, Russia remains Kazakhstan’s main trading partner. In the first half of the year, Russia’s share in Kazakhstan’s total imports amounted to 30.9%, and within the Eurasian Economic Union, Russia accounts for 87.2% of all trade turnover.

Photo: lada.ru.

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