In 2026, automotive import policies across Central Asia and Russian-speaking countries saw major adjustments. Kazakhstan extended zero EV tariffs to 2027, Russia tightened EAC certification requirements, and Kyrgyzstan streamlined intra-EAEU procedures. This article compares the latest policies across four countries to inform Chinese NEV exporters and local buyers.
China's NEV production and sales have ranked first globally for ten consecutive years, with exports exceeding 2 million units in 2025. For buyers in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan, understanding procurement processes, certification requirements, and logistics is key to risk reduction. This article covers the full chain from vehicle selection to delivery.
Kyrgyzstan's 2026 annual quota of 15,000 duty-free NEV imports is now in effect through year-end or until exhausted. The policy provides a compliant customs channel for Chinese OEMs re-exporting to Russia via the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), with BYD, Chery, and Geely as primary beneficiaries.
The Kyrgyz government has extended the transit tariff exemption for Chinese new energy vehicles through end of 2027. This policy continuation provides Chinese automakers with a two-year institutional buffer for routing electric vehicles through Kyrgyzstan to Central Asian and Russian markets, while activating the country's commercial value as a regional logistics hub.
Kyrgyzstan Customs issued new regulations dramatically simplifying Chinese car import clearance, compressing average clearance from 7 days to 3 days, eliminating duplicate inspections, and implementing digital "single document" processing. Estimated annual logistics cost savings: ~$20 million.
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