Comprehensive development strategy for the Kazakhstan market in 2025, just save this article!

Kazakhstan is Central Asia's largest economy, leading the region with a GDP of $1.7 trillion, accounting for 58% of the combined economies of the five Central Asian nations. Based on the latest official website data and information through 2025, this article provides a comprehensive and practical guide to market development and client acquisition in Kazakhstan, covering a broad range of factors, including a national overview, market prospects, customer characteristics, popular product selection, development methods (complete guide), payment options, logistics solutions, tariff policies, certification requirements, and customs requirements. Get it now!

Country Profile

• Geographical location : The world's largest landlocked country, with an area of 2.7249 million square kilometers, borders Russia to the north, China to the east, the three Central Asian countries to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the west. It is a key hub for China-Europe freight trains.

• Population and ethnicity : 20.32 million (as of March 2025), approximately 140 ethnic groups, with Kazakhs accounting for 71.3% and Russians accounting for 14.6% .

• Language : Kazakh is the national language and Russian is the official language, widely used in business and daily life.

• Major cities : Almaty is the economic and cultural center; Astana is the capital, political center and modern city.

• Economic Structure : Energy, mining, and agriculture are the pillar industries. GDP is projected to reach $290.99 billion in 2024, with a 6.2% increase from January to June 2025, led by significant growth in transportation and construction. The government will promote industrial modernization and the development of renewable energy.

Market Outlook

• With the advancement of industrial modernization and the strengthening of infrastructure construction, the demand for machinery and equipment, electronic products, etc. continues to grow.

• There is a US$2.3 billion infrastructure investment plan by 2025, and the annual demand for building materials will reach US$15 billion, 65% of which will be dependent on imports.

• The used car market is active, with transaction volume growing by 35% against the trend in 2024, and demand for home solar energy and charging piles is booming.

• The smart home market has entered a period of explosive growth from its infancy, and is expected to exceed US$300 million in size in 2025.

• China and Kazakhstan have close economic and trade cooperation. China is an important trading partner of Kazakhstan. In 2024, the trade volume between the two countries was US$43.85 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6.8%.

Customer Characteristics

• Focus on practicality : Due to factors such as climate and living environment, consumers have higher requirements for the practicality and durability of products, such as cold-proof and warm clothing, low-temperature-resistant electronic products, etc.

• Prefer cost-effectiveness : While pursuing product quality, people also pay more attention to price. Products with high cost-effectiveness are more competitive.

• Influenced by Russian culture : Consumer habits and aesthetics are influenced to a certain extent by Russian culture. For example, there is a demand for some Russian-standard products, and relevant elements can be considered in product design and marketing.

• There is a need for brand recognition : With economic development and improvement in living standards, consumers' awareness and pursuit of brands are gradually increasing, and products of well-known brands are more likely to gain trust.

Popular products

• Building materials : Weather-resistant building materials such as -40°C frost-resistant PVC water pipes; energy-saving materials such as polyurethane composite exterior wall insulation boards; decorative materials such as imitation marble tiles; metal hardware such as frost-resistant door and window sealing strips, galvanized steel structure connectors, etc.

• Household products : cold-resistant solar charging systems; portable emergency charging equipment; smart home products such as low-temperature-resistant smart security systems and smart door locks.

• Transportation : Used cars (especially economical and practical ones); small agricultural machinery such as 15-25 horsepower wheeled tractors; resource mining equipment such as portable ore sorting machines; water-saving systems such as smart drip irrigation equipment.

• Clothing : Mainly women's clothing, such as embroidered silk headscarves, adjustable ethnic-style belts, and functional cold-proof jackets suitable for -30℃.

• Baby and child products : toys (such as educational toys made in China), baby monitors, electric walkers, etc.

Development Methodology

• Social Media Platforms :

  • WhatsApp : Used for daily and business communication, it can contact customers in a timely manner and communicate order details.

  • Instagram : Popular among young people, it attracts potential customers by displaying product pictures, videos and success stories.

  • Telegram : Known for its privacy protection and security, you can create groups to share industry trends and product information.

  • VKontakte (VK) : Popular among Russian speakers, it has functions such as music and video sharing, which can fully display brands.

• Search Engine :

  • Yandex.kz : It has a high market share in Kazakhstan, and optimizing search rankings can increase exposure.

  • Google.co.kz : It has a great global influence and can accurately reach target customers through advertising and SEO strategies.

• E-commerce platforms :

  • Kaspi.kz : A popular e-commerce platform covering categories such as electronics and home appliances, supporting online payment and logistics integration.

  • Satu.kz : Provides a selection of products such as electronics, clothing, household items, etc., and can be added based on product characteristics.

• B2B Platforms :

  • Atameken.kz : Managed by the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan, it covers areas such as energy and construction and serves small and medium-sized enterprises.

  • Kaznexinvest.kz : Operated by the Kazakhstan Export and Investment Promotion Agency, it focuses on matching exporters with international buyers.

  • Kazakhstan Yellow Pages : Business Yellow Pages directory to find potential partners and clients.

• Local yellow pages and business directory websites :

  • https://yellow-pages.kz/ is similar to the domestic Yellow Pages 88, where you can query basic information such as company name, address, and telephone number.

  • https://biznesinfo.kz/ , a comprehensive enterprise database, supports viewing enterprise information by city and industry classification.

  • https://kazakhstanyp.com/ , with many years of experience in the business directory market, provides access to the latest company listings and other information.

  • https://kompass.com/ , where you can search for businesses by name, type, and location.

  • https://yellowpages.rin.ru/ provides a list of companies or organizations in Kazakhstan.

  • https://bizneskniga.info/ , available in Russian and English, with the option to select Kazakhstan as the country and search by region.

• Customs data website :

  • The official website of Kazakhstan Customs provides access to customs-related information, but may not directly provide detailed customs data inquiries.

  • AB customs data is available for free trial and can view transaction information of Kazakhstan importers, including the model, specifications, quantity, amount, etc. of purchased products.

  • https://www.x315.cn/tradedata provides customs data from around the world, updated monthly, and can query relevant customs data for Kazakhstan.

• Participate in exhibitions :

  • Kazakhstan Industrial Exhibition (Ondeu Expo) : Held in Astana every April, focusing on the industrial sector.

  • Kazakhstan International Building Exhibition (KazBuild) : Held in Almaty in September, it is the largest building materials and interior decoration exhibition in Central Asia.

  • KazAgro : Held in Astana in October, it focuses on agricultural machinery, etc.

  • Kazakhstan International Medical Exhibition (KIHE) : Held in Almaty in May, it is the largest international medical device technology exhibition in Central Asia.

  • Kazakhstan International Oil and Gas Exhibition (KIOGE) : Held in Almaty every October, it is a grand event for the energy industry.

Payment Methods

• Bank transfer : This is a common method, including telegraphic transfer (TT) and other methods. Please pay attention to bank fees and arrival time.

• Credit card payment : International credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in some e-commerce platforms and large corporate transactions.

• Third-party payment platforms , such as Qiwi Wallet, have a certain market share in the local market and are convenient and fast, but may have issues such as exchange rate conversion. For long-term clients, we can negotiate with collection or letters of credit based on actual circumstances, but we must be mindful of risk management.

Logistics Solutions

• International Express : International express services such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS are fast but costly and are suitable for small items of high value and light weight.

• Dedicated logistics : There are many dedicated logistics companies specializing in Central Asia that can provide more targeted logistics solutions. They have certain advantages in price and timeliness and can transport some larger and heavier goods.

• Rail transport : Rail transport networks like the China-Europe Express offer high volumes and relatively low costs, making them suitable for transporting bulk commodities. However, this method can take longer. Rail transport between China and Kazakhstan is relatively convenient and effectively ensures the transport of goods.

• Sea transportation + land transportation : If the goods depart from the coastal areas, they can first be transported by sea to the nearby port and then transported to Kazakhstan by land. This method is suitable for large quantities of goods that are not particularly time-sensitive.

Tariff Policy

• Kazakhstan has different tariff rates for different products. Generally speaking, tariffs on raw materials and basic products are relatively low, while tariffs on finished goods and luxury goods may be higher.

• In recent years, the Kazakh government has implemented preferential tariff policies for certain products to promote the development of certain industries and attract foreign investment. For example, some machinery and equipment, electronic products, and other products used in industrial production and infrastructure construction may be given lower tariff rates or duty-free treatment.

• For imported agricultural products, food, etc., tariff rates may be adjusted based on factors such as domestic market demand and agricultural policies to protect the domestic agricultural industry or meet consumer demand.

Certification requirements

• CUTR certification (TP TC certification or EAC certification) : This is a mandatory product compliance certification system of the Eurasian Economic Union, applicable to five member states, including Kazakhstan. Compulsory certification covers electronic appliances, mechanical equipment, children's products, pressure equipment, packaging materials, and more. Certification models are categorized by product risk level into batch certification, serial production certification, and declaration of conformity. Technical documentation, company qualifications, and other documents are required, and samples must be sent to an EAEU-accredited laboratory for testing. Upon successful testing, an EAC certificate is issued, valid for one to five years. Serial production certificates are subject to annual factory inspections.

• TR CU 050/2025 (Carbon Footprint Accounting) has been added, which applies to automobiles and building materials exported to Kazakhstan. Products participating in projects such as the Kazakhstan government's "Green Energy Program" may also require GOST-K environmental certification, even if they already have EAC certification.

Customs requirements

• When the goods arrive at the Kazakhstan customs, detailed customs declaration documents need to be submitted, including commercial invoice, bill of lading, packing list, certificate of origin, etc., and the documents must be filled out in Russian or English.

• Customs will inspect the goods to verify that the declared information matches the actual goods and that they comply with relevant trade regulations and standards. Inspections may be more stringent for sensitive or high-risk products.

• Items prohibited or restricted from import include certain weapons and ammunition, narcotics, endangered plants and animals, and their products. Furthermore, certain specific products may require additional licenses or approval documents before they can be imported, such as a health permit for food and a drug import permit for medicines.