Key takeaways
- 01Kazakhstan's utilisation (recycling) fee is often the single largest charge on the breakdown and varies by engine displacement and vehicle age.
- 02The EAEU unified euro-per-cc duty table applies, converted to KZT through the USD/EUR/KZT chain.
- 03Legal entities pay 12% VAT; individual personal-use imports are generally exempt.
- 04EV imports benefit from customs duty relief under the current exemption, though a recycling fee may still apply.
Why the Full Kazakhstan Landed Cost Surprises Buyers
Kazakhstan is part of the EAEU, so the same age-and-displacement duty tariff used across the union applies to cars arriving from the US. However, Kazakhstan adds an additional utilisation fee (утильсбор) that most import calculators for other countries omit. This recycling surcharge, determined by engine size and whether the car is under or over three years old, can exceed the EAEU customs duty itself on many vehicles.
Factoring in the full set — EAEU duty, recycling fee, excise, potential VAT, ocean freight, and local clearance — before bidding at Copart or IAAI is essential for accurate budgeting. The calculator handles all of these layers in one place.
How to Use the Kazakhstan Car Import Calculator
- 01
Enter US costs
Add the vehicle price, auction fees, US inland shipping, ocean freight, insurance, and the current USD to KZT exchange rate.
- 02
Describe the car
Enter manufacture year, engine displacement in cc, and select the fuel type: gasoline, diesel, hybrid, or electric.
- 03
Select buyer type
Individual or legal entity — legal entities are subject to 12% VAT on the full customs value plus charges.
- 04
Review every charge
The breakdown shows EAEU customs duty, excise, utilisation fee, VAT, local fees, and the total landed cost — all as separate lines.
- 05
Scenario-test before bidding
Change the age or engine size to compare how the recycling fee and duty shift across different vehicles.
Data to Collect Before Estimating
- 01Vehicle price and all US auction fees
- 02US inland transport and ocean freight estimate
- 03Marine insurance amount
- 04Current USD to KZT exchange rate
- 05Engine displacement in cc and manufacture year
- 06Fuel type and buyer status (individual or company)
Runs Locally, No Account Needed
Handytool's calculator processes all inputs directly in your browser. No data is sent to a server, and the page can be used offline after loading.
This is an unofficial planning tool based on public Kazakh Revenue Committee and EAEU sources. Confirm the final amount with a licensed customs broker before buying or shipping.
Kazakhstan Car Import Calculator FAQ
How much does it cost to import a car from the USA to Kazakhstan?
The total is driven by the US purchase price, shipping, age, engine size, fuel type, and the utilisation fee. The calculator sums customs duty, excise, VAT, recycling fee, and local costs from those inputs.
What is the Kazakhstan utilisation fee?
It is a per-car environmental recycling fee (утильсбор) charged on most non-EAEU vehicle imports. The amount depends on engine displacement and whether the car is under or over 3 years old. It is often the single biggest charge on the breakdown.
Does Kazakhstan charge VAT on imported cars?
Legal entities pay 12% VAT on customs value plus duty plus excise. Individual one-off personal imports are generally exempt. The calculator shows both lines.
Are electric cars cheaper to import into Kazakhstan?
Yes. EVs benefit from customs duty relief under the current exemption, although a recycling fee may still apply. The calculator reflects this when Electric is selected.
Is this an official Kazakh customs calculator?
No. It is an unofficial planning tool. Confirm the final amount with a licensed broker before bidding or shipping.