Kazakhstan Is Tightening Export Controls, Restricting Transit of Sanctioned Goods to russia

Kazakhstan has introduced new export control rules that will remain in effect for one year. The initiative aims to restrict re-export flows of dual-use goods to russia and minimize the risks of sanctions circumvention.

The updated regime includes mandatory licensing for the export of a number of goods covered by Western sanctions, as well as enhanced monitoring of products imported from the EU, the USA, and the United Kingdom. Such goods are prohibited from further re-export within the CIS, first of all to russia.

Astana is deepening its coordination with the European Union in the field of preventing sanctioned transit, while trying to maintain a balance between its Western partners and moscow. Kazakhstan is not formally joining the sanctions, but is demonstrating its willingness to narrow russia’s access to goods that are critical to its defense-industrial complex.