Rail Freight from China to Khorgos, Kazakhstan — Transit, Duty and Clearance
China → Khorgos · via Khorgos rail · clearance by State Revenue Committee (EAEU common customs regime)
For buyers shipping into Khorgos, the practical question is not the ocean or flight time but what happens after arrival. Khorgos is the dry port and free economic zone on the China border; cargo enters through Khorgos rail, and the inland leg is same-day, so the clearance date is effectively the delivery date.
On the destination side, State Revenue Committee (EAEU common customs regime) handles clearance; budget 3–8 days of dwell before the cargo is released.
Import duty and tax position for Khorgos
State Revenue Committee (EAEU common customs regime) assesses duty and tax on cargo arriving for Khorgos consignees. Current regime: VAT 12%; EAEU common external tariff, typically 0–15%, with a de-minimis position of 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.
How this lane actually runs
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.
| Rail / overland routing | Landlocked — Aktau on the Caspian for Middle Corridor cargo |
|---|---|
| Overland transit from China | 12–18 calendar days by block train |
| Gateway serving Khorgos | Khorgos rail |
| Inland leg to Khorgos | Same day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 3–8 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
What to sort out before the cargo leaves China
- Get the conformity paperwork moving early: EAC conformity mark valid across the Eurasian Economic Union.
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
- Confirm the consignee in Khorgos can act as importer of record — State Revenue Committee (EAEU common customs regime) will not release cargo to an unregistered party.
- Plan around the China-side windows too: Chinese New Year and Golden Week both compress capacity on the Kazakhstan lane.
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders up front — retro-declaring after booking usually means re-planning the whole shipment.
- Ask for the HS code in writing from your supplier and verify the Kazakhstan duty rate against it yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Khorgos take?
China to the Kazakhstan gateway is 12–18 calendar days by block train. 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 Khorgos.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Khorgos?
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 Khorgos.
Which port or airport does cargo for Khorgos clear through?
Cargo for Khorgos is routed via Khorgos rail. Sea gateways for Kazakhstan are Landlocked — Aktau on the Caspian for Middle Corridor cargo; air gateways are ALA (Almaty), NQZ (Astana). We pick whichever gives the shortest total door time for your address.
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.
What documents does State Revenue Committee (EAEU common customs regime) require?
A commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading or air waybill, a certificate of origin where it lowers duty, and any product certification (EAC conformity mark valid across the Eurasian Economic Union). We prepare and file these as part of the service.
Is sea freight cheaper than air freight into Khorgos?
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.
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 Khorgos
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.