Kazakhstan has no export tariffs. However, in the first quarter of 1999 several punitive duties were imposed on a number of products imported from Russia, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan. These were described as temporary measures to protect domestic producers and most were removed in June 1999. B. Customs Procedures Kazakhstan's customs valuation rules largely conform to the WTO Valuation Agreement. In June 1997, Kazakhstan adopted HS 96 as its tariff nomenclature.
Foreign firms can import some items for their own use duty-free.
Generally, Customs requires that imported goods be placed in a temporary storage warehouse operated by a Customs-licensee pending clearance, a procedure that importers claim can add significant costs and delays to customs processing. Although customs declaration procedures were successfully introduced in 1998, implementation of regulations allowing periodic declarations remains problematic. The Kazakhstani government has removed the need for import and export licenses on most commodities. However, for health and security reasons, a number of imported commodities, such as pesticides, medicine, drugs, nuclear materials, weapons, certain chemicals, and industrial waste, are subject to licensing requirements. D. Export Controls Kazakhstani export control laws and regulations are in the early stages of development.