06 December 2024 | 19:36

New rules for importing cars by individuals: what has changed, experts explain

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Tengrinews.kz - In light of the growing problems with grey imports of cars, the authorities of Kazakhstan have decided to consider changes in the regulation of import of vehicles by individuals. How will this affect the car market.

Tengrinews.kz - In light of the growing problems with grey imports of cars, the authorities of Kazakhstan have decided to consider changes in the regulation of import of vehicles by individuals. How will this affect the car market.

Import restrictions for individuals

Previously, individuals could import one car per year, issuing a vehicle design safety certificate (VDSC). However, the recorded violations in this system revealed significant problems.

According to the President of the Union of Industrial Investors of Kazakhstan Kairat Elamanov, an analysis of the E-window portal data for 2023 recorded cases when one individual imported 793 cars per year, 34 people imported more than 100 cars each, 13,062 individuals imported 2 or more cars with VDSC.

Such actions, according to him, not only contradict the original intent of the legislation, but also disguise the activities of gray importers who register cars in the names of individuals to circumvent stricter import rules for legal entities.

To combat these schemes, the process of registering the VDSC was transferred to the new E-KTRMS system.

"The VDSC is now issued with mandatory photo and video confirmation of the presence of the car in the testing laboratory. This eliminates cases where cars were imported and registered actually "on paper", without observing technical regulations," Elamanov explains.

Gray imports: why is it a problem?

According to the head of the Agency for Monitoring and Analysis of the Automobile Market, Artur Miskaryan, the reduction of customs clearance rates and the legalization of cars from the EAEU countries in recent years have led to an increase in gray imports.

"Individuals imported more than 100 thousand cars last year alone. These actions create fiscal losses for the state and undermine the legal market," the expert explains.

The problem is especially acute with the registration of SBCTS and vehicle type approvals (VTA). According to Kairat Elamanov, fake permit letters and other people's VTAs were often used. This allowed cars that do not meet safety requirements to be imported.

Why are importers worried?

Although the rules for individuals remain the same, discussions of the changes have caused active reactions among gray importers. Elamanov explained that such companies most often register cars under the guise of individuals, using fictitious sales contracts.

"The scheme, when a company imports a car and then registers it to an individual to obtain a VDSC, does not comply with the law. VDSC will only be issued for cars imported by individuals for their own needs."

Artur Miskaryan added that transparent companies, on the contrary, perceive the changes positively.

"For legal market participants, tightening control will create order, and those who violate the rules are naturally worried about their activities," says Miskaryan.

How will the changes affect prices?

According to experts, prices for imported cars are more likely to depend on the exchange rate than on changes in regulation.

"The price adjustment will be related to the situation on the currency market. New approaches to control will most likely affect the streamlining of the import process itself, and not the cost of cars," says Artur Miskaryan.

What awaits the market in the future?

Both experts believe that tightening control over the import of cars will create more transparent conditions on the market. As Elamanov emphasized, E-KTRM will allow tracking each vehicle, eliminating fictitious schemes and ensuring that vehicles comply with technical regulations. Artur Miskaryan supported this position, adding that digitalization of processes will be an important step to reduce violations and reduce gray imports.

Earlier, Minister of Finance Madi Takiev was asked about a new rule, according to which individuals will be banned from importing cars under three years old to Kazakhstan from December 1

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