Russia and Central Asia Tighten Import and Export Policies: EAC Certification and Lithium Battery Transit Bans Impact Automotive Exports

In 2026, Russia and the five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan) have intensively updated import and export regulatory policies. Russia has extended economic measures against "unfriendly countries" to the end of 2027, restricting imports and exports of uranium, electric motors, drone accessories, and imposing a complete ban on gasoline exports. In Central Asia, Kazakhstan has completely banned the transit of lithium battery vehicles, Uzbekistan has mandated RoHS regulations, and Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan have completely banned e-cigarettes. These policy changes present new compliance requirements for Chinese automotive export enterprises.