E-commerce operators delivering goods purchased from online stores (such as Alibaba, Amazon, etc.) will be able to act as customs brokers.
Currently, the duty-free import rule for individuals, with goods not intended for commercial use, allows for shipments weighing up to 31 kg and valued at up to 200 euros. Anything exceeding these limits must be declared and subject to customs duties. To clear goods purchased online, the buyer must either handle the customs clearance themselves or contract a customs representative.
Amendments to the draft law "On Amendments and Additions to the Customs Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan" include, among other changes, that the responsibility for customs clearance of e-commerce goods will be taken on by the e-commerce operator — i.e., the postal or courier company delivering the order to the customer.
What are the benefits for consumers? This significantly simplifies the customs process and frees the buyer from having to navigate often complex and unclear customs rules, said Nikolai Efimchuk, managing partner at Fortune Partners, Master of Public Administration, in an interview with Zakon.kz.
The expert, who has many years of experience in customs regulation — previously in the Ministry of Finance, and now providing customs law services to both local and foreign companies — adds:
"The buyer still retains the right to declare the goods themselves, but under the new system, I believe it will be more advantageous for consumers to use the services of the operator.".
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