Kazakhstan Tightens Export Controls, Complicating Russia’s Sanctions Evasion

Kazakhstan has introduced new export controls that could significantly disrupt Russia’s sanctions-bypassing networks, Orda.kz reports, citing Ukrainian intelligence.

The updated customs regulations — set to remain in force for at least a year — introduce mandatory licensing for goods targeted by Western sanctions and expand oversight of products originating from the EU, US, and UK.

Kazakhstan is not formally joining the sanctions, but is prepared to restrict Russia's access to critical goods for its defense industry, Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Services believes.

The development followed weeks of public debate sparked in early October, when photos of enormous queues — over 5,000 trucks — at the Russian-Kazakh border circulated online. Freight carriers described millions in losses due to spoiled goods and broken delivery contracts.

Kazakhstan has been working closely with the EU to prevent the re-export of sanctioned items without officially signing onto the sanctions regime.

According to KyivPost, the new restrictions serve two messages: to the West, that Astana is committed to curbing sanctions circumvention; and to Moscow, that Kazakhstan is watching the flow of sensitive goods closely and is prepared to intervene when necessary.

Original Author: Dinara Bekbolayeva