Kazakhstan 2026 ICE imports: VAT 16% plus recycling fee bands — not only an EV story
From 2026 VAT on imports discussed at 16% (was 12%). Under-3-year cars often 15% duty; older units shift to €/cc bands. Recycling fee by engine size (trade calculators cite ~0.76–2.5m tenge bands). EVs: recycling often 0 — still pay VAT path.
EV quota headlines stole the attention; ICE/CBU maths also moved in 2026.
Common broker worksheets for Kazakhstan (confirm on the DT):
- VAT 16% on the import base (up from 12% in prior parameters).
- Duty: many under-3-year cars at ~15%; older ages move to € per cc bands that rise steeply.
- Recycling (utilization) fee by engine band — public calculators in 2026 cite roughly 0.76 / 1.08 / 2.49 million tenge style brackets for 1–2 L / 2–3 L / >3 L classes (exact MCI-linked figures change — use Customs).
- EVs often show zero recycling fee in the same sheets — they still need a duty + VAT path after the preferential quota ended.
Desk takeaway: a Chinese petrol SUV offer into Almaty without a recycling-fee line is incomplete.
*Sources: KGD practice notes / 2026 landed-cost guides. Final = broker.*