Kazakhstan has once again adjusted the rules for international road transport. No loud announcements — but with consequences that carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics operators will feel immediately.
What Happened
On January 8, 2026, the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed Order No. 1, amending the Rules for the Application of the Permit System for International Road Transport.
In practice, a new version of Clause 56-1 was added to the rules.
Legally, this is a temporary relaxation.
Practically, it is an attempt to align regulation with real-world logistics.
If the Carrier Is from the EAEU — It Became Easier
For carriers registered in the Eurasian Economic Union countries, the following applies.
Transport of goods to/from Kazakhstan is allowed:
- by several carriers in succession;
- with reloading, loading/unloading;
- with a tractor change,
provided that one of the following is available:
- the original Kazakh permit
or - the original detachable part and a copy of the previous carrier’s permit.
In these cases, the requirements of Clauses 51 and 54 of the Rules do not apply.
This effectively legalizes common logistics schemes involving warehouses, hubs, and tractor changes that have long been used but were formally considered a “grey area.”
If the Carrier Is Not from the EAEU — Geography Matters
For carriers from countries outside the EAEU, the rule works differently.
The easing applies only if:
- reloading or tractor changes take place outside the territory of EAEU member states;
- the original permit or its detachable part and a copy of the previous permit are available.
In simple terms:
- Turkey, Italy, Iran — allowed;
- Russia or Kazakhstan — no longer allowed.
Supervisory authorities will check not only the documents, but also the actual location of the reloading.
Important: This Is Temporary
The new version of Clause 56-1 is valid until January 1, 2027.
What happens next:
- extension;
- return to the old rules;
- or a new, stricter version —
is currently unknown.
When the Order Entered into Force
The order enters into force after its first official publication.
Publication date — January 13, 2026.
From this date, the new version of Clause 56-1 applies in practice.
Why This Matters for Business
Because modern logistics:
- rarely relies on a single tractor;
- almost always involves warehouses, reloading, and vehicle changes;
- operates under permit shortages and transit restrictions.
This order:
- partially legalizes reality;
- but does so temporarily and with conditions;
- leaving room for disputes during inspections.
What Should Be Done Right Now
Before planning transport to/from Kazakhstan:
- review routes involving reloading and tractor changes;
- verify the availability of original permits and detachable parts;
- document the location of reloading;
- consider the rule’s expiration date — 01.01.2027.
This material applies to international road transport to/from the Republic of Kazakhstan. Rules and permit system logic differ for other countries.
- Added analysis of Order No. 1 of the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan dated 08.01.2026
- Clarified practical implications for carriers
