Air Freight from China to Almaty, Kazakhstan — Transit, Duty and Clearance
China → Almaty · via ALA air / Khorgos rail · clearance by State Revenue Committee (EAEU common customs regime)
We move air freight cargo from South China into Almaty through ALA air / Khorgos rail. Almaty is the largest city and main commercial market, which shapes the kind of cargo that moves on this lane and how it should be packed.
Clearance itself is handled by State Revenue Committee (EAEU common customs regime), and typical dwell at the gateway runs 3–8 days.
What the routing looks like in practice
Kazakhstan is the main rail gateway between China and the EAEU. Block trains cross at Khorgos–Altynkol or Dostyk–Alashankou and reach Almaty in roughly 5–8 days, or continue to Moscow and Europe. Because Kazakhstan shares the EAEU customs union with Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, clearing here can also serve onward EAEU delivery — but only if the paperwork is set up for it.
| Air gateways used | ALA (Almaty), NQZ (Astana) |
|---|---|
| Air transit, China to gateway | 2–4 business days |
| Gateway serving Almaty | ALA air / Khorgos rail |
| Inland leg to Almaty | Same day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 3–8 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
Import duty and tax position for Almaty
Imports into Kazakhstan are cleared by State Revenue Committee (EAEU common customs regime). The headline position is: VAT 12%; EAEU common external tariff, typically 0–15%. The de-minimis threshold is EUR 200 for personal parcels under EAEU rules.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: EAC conformity mark valid across the Eurasian Economic Union. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for Kazakhstan: EAC certification is required for most regulated products across the union. Rail capacity tightens sharply in Q4 and before Chinese New Year. Sanctions screening applies to any cargo that may continue into Russia.
Before you book: Almaty checklist
- Plan around the China-side windows too: Chinese New Year and Golden Week both compress capacity on the Kazakhstan lane.
- Confirm the consignee in Almaty can act as importer of record — State Revenue Committee (EAEU common customs regime) will not release cargo to an unregistered party.
- Ask for the HS code in writing from your supplier and verify the Kazakhstan duty rate against it yourself.
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets. Untreated wood is the most common reason otherwise-clean cargo gets held.
- Put the Almaty delivery address, contact name and phone number on the invoice, not just the packing list.
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Almaty take?
China to the Kazakhstan gateway is 2–4 business days. On top of that, allow 3–8 days of clearance with State Revenue Committee (EAEU common customs regime) and a same-day inland leg to Almaty.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Almaty?
State Revenue Committee (EAEU common customs regime) applies: VAT 12%; EAEU common external tariff, typically 0–15%. The de-minimis position is EUR 200 for personal parcels under EAEU rules. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in Almaty.
Is sea freight cheaper than air freight into Almaty?
Per kilo, yes — usually by a wide margin. The trade-off is time: 12–18 calendar days by block train by sea versus 2–4 business days by air to the Kazakhstan gateway, before clearance and the same-day inland leg. The crossover point is normally somewhere between 100 and 300 kg depending on the density of your cargo.
How is the chargeable weight calculated for Almaty?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight — length × width × height in centimetres divided by 6000 for air — and bill the greater of the two, rounded up to the next kilogram. Light, bulky cargo is almost always billed on volume.
Can you ship batteries or sensitive cargo to Almaty?
Yes. Battery cargo by air follows IATA PI 965–970 depending on how the cells are packed, and moves on certified channels via ALA (Almaty), NQZ (Astana). Surcharges apply and the declaration has to be made before booking.
What certification do I need for Kazakhstan?
For regulated goods, plan for: EAC conformity mark valid across the Eurasian Economic Union. Missing conformity paperwork is the single most common cause of a hold, and in most cases it cannot be remedied once the cargo has arrived.
Other delivery cities in Kazakhstan
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for Kazakhstan change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with State Revenue Committee (EAEU common customs regime) or your broker before you ship.
- State Revenue Committee
- Eurasian Economic Union common tariff
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- IPPC — ISPM 15 wood packaging standard
- WCO — Harmonized System nomenclature
- IMO — IMDG Code for dangerous goods by sea
Page data last reviewed: July 2026.
Get a rate for Almaty
This lane is quoted per shipment rather than from a published rate card, because the landed cost depends on the commodity, its density, the conformity requirements above and the delivery point. Send the cargo details and we will come back with a full DDP figure.