Kazakhstan Slashes Rail Customs Clearance Time to 30 Minutes
Kazakhstan has cut customs clearance time for rail transit cargo sixfold—from three hours to just 30 minutes—as part of a pilot automation project along the China–Central Asia and China–Europe routes, the State Revenue Committee reported.
The system, launched in December 2023, enables the electronic submission and issuance of transit declarations, streamlining cargo processing and improving efficiency along major international corridors. Between January and October, more than 2.5 million tons of cargo were processed through the automated system.
Officials said the initiative enhances transparency, reduces delays, and strengthens Kazakhstan’s role as a key logistics hub linking China, Europe, and Central Asia.
Transit freight volumes from China through Kazakhstan to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Europe, and Central Asia rose 11% year-on-year, reaching 11.04 million tons.
Photo credit: State Revenue Committee of the Finance Ministry
