Kazakhstan May Tighten Vehicle Import Regulations Starting September

Kazakhstan is considering stricter regulations for importing vehicles from abroad starting September 1. According to Kolesa.kz, the Ministry of Trade and Integration has drafted amendments to vehicle certification rules.

Under the proposal, safety certificates - which are strictly required to register a vehicle in Kazakhstan - will no longer be issued for cars that have undergone right-to-left-hand drive conversions.

Additionally, procedures for testing the emergency response button (SOS system) will become significantly more stringent. Accredited laboratories will be required to record continuous video footage of the testing process, ensuring the car's VIN number remains clearly visible throughout.

During the test, a technician must start the engine, press the SOS button, wait for the emergency operator to respond, and confirm the call was for testing purposes. These video recordings must be archived for a minimum of three years.

The Ministry explained that these measures aim to eliminate the practice of issuing certificates without physical vehicle inspections. The update also clarifies vehicle identification protocols and grounds for suspending or revoking safety certificates.

The document has passed public consultation and is currently undergoing official approval; therefore, the requirements are not yet final. If approved, the new rules will become mandatory for all accredited certification laboratories.