Comparison of Customs Clearance Procedures in Almaty, Shymkent, and Astana
2026-01-28 12:52
How the choice of region affects speed, risks, and costs in import and export operations.
More and more companies in Kazakhstan are entering international markets. However, even within one country, customs clearance procedures can differ significantly depending on the region. In this article, we compare three key hubs — Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent — in terms of clearance speed, workload, inspector practices, and infrastructure availability.
Throughout Kazakhstan, the EAEU Customs Code, in force since 2018, applies uniformly. While procedures are standardized, their implementation varies due to:
Level of digitalization
Staff qualifications
Organizational culture at customs posts
Geographic location and logistics hub congestion
2. Almaty: Speed Through Experience and Overload
Key Features
The country’s largest logistics hub
Most experienced customs brokers and declarants
Numerous terminals and bonded warehouses: Zhetysu, Adil, KAZTRANSIT, etc.
Advantages
High professional competence
Well-established clearance processes at bonded warehouses
Strong support for digital systems (ASIKUD IS, TPET)
Disadvantages
Overloaded central customs posts
Queues for document checks and inspections
Higher brokerage fees (10–15% more than in other regions)
Average Clearance Time
With correct documentation: 1–2 working days
With inspections or discrepancies: up to 4 working days
3. Astana: Order Without Always Being Flexible
Key Features
Regularly updated internal regulations
More formal approach by customs officers
Lower workload compared to Almaty
Advantages
Lower brokerage fees (on average 10–12% less)
Greater transparency due to strict internal controls
Strong focus on electronic document management
Disadvantages
Less tolerance for minor discrepancies
Delays in non-standard cases (repairs, returns, humanitarian shipments)
Limited number of terminals and bonded warehouses (often state-owned)
Average Clearance Time
Standard imports: 2–3 working days
Problematic shipments: up to 5 working days
4. Shymkent: Flexibility in the South
Key Features
Close to southern borders (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan)
Frequent clearance of goods from Asian markets
Lower congestion and tariffs
Advantages
More flexible approach to non-standard shipments
Fast clearance for exports to Uzbekistan
More lenient environment regarding non-tariff regulation (fewer inspections)
Disadvantages
Shortage of qualified specialists — frequent broker errors
Dependence on manual decisions by inspectors
Unstable IT infrastructure (system outages occur)
Average Clearance Time
Simple shipments: 1–1.5 days
With inspections or inexperienced brokers: up to 3 days
5. Recommendations for Choosing a Clearance Region
For complex imports (many items, multiple HS codes, non-tariff requirements), choose Almaty: more experts and faster dispute resolution.
If transparent documentation, participation in government tenders, and a clean compliance history are critical, Astana is the best choice.
For exports to Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan, humanitarian shipments, and urgent turnover, Shymkent offers advantages in speed and flexibility.
Customs clearance in Kazakhstan is not just about “crossing the border.” It is a strategic decision that affects delivery speed, costs, and company reputation. Understanding regional specifics helps businesses choose optimal routes and avoid delays.
ICS supports clients at all stages of foreign trade operations and helps select the customs post that ensures maximum efficiency with minimal risk.