Customs Alert

Dear Friends,

In this alert, we would like to inform you that the Atameken NCE held an online conference last week for business community representatives and the heads of the Ministry of National Economy and State Revenue Committee to discuss issues around paying VAT on imported goods through offsets.

As a reminder, articles 427 and 428 of the Tax Code Tax Code, which regulate VAT paid on imports using the offset method, are only valid until 1 January 2025, which means from 1 January 2025, import VAT will be due on goods imported from outside the EAEU and EAEU countries to Kazakhstan.

The Ministry of National Economy let the listeners know that it would be able to extend the relevant Tax Code provisions by the end of the year due to lengthy approval processes.

The authorities also mentioned that Tax Code provisions covering import VAT payments using the offset method would be updated shortly as part of the discussion and approval of other bills under consideration, and that any such payments would be applied retroactively from January 2025. Discussions were also held on tax refund procedures.

The authorities are planning to issue an explanatory letter by the end of the year on the procedure for paying import VAT using the offset method. The extension is due to happen in March-April 2025.

We will be happy to discuss with you any questions you may have about the current changes.