Kazakhstan Tightens Measures Against Illegal Fuel Exports

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Kazakhstan authorities have strengthened measures to prevent the illegal export of petroleum products by introducing additional restrictions on transport from neighboring states and expanding control in border areas, Kazakhstan Deputy Energy Minister Kairkhan Tutkyshbayev announced on 8 July 2026.

According to Tutkyshbayev, as part of efforts to combat the grey export of gasoline, commercial and passenger transport from neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan and Russia, are now permitted to enter Kazakhstan no more than once a day.

At the same time, government agencies are conducting operations to identify vehicles equipped with additional fuel tanks that could be used for the illegal export of fuel and lubricants. Officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, customs authorities, border service, and the Financial Monitoring Agency are participating in the inspections.

The State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan also reported tightened control over the movement of petroleum products. Inspections are being conducted both at state border checkpoints and on roads in border regions.

According to the committee, 392 cases of illegal export of fuel and lubricants have been prevented since the strengthened inspections began, totaling more than 16,000 liters.

Additionally, mobile groups from the State Revenue Committee inspected 122 fuel tankers. In several instances, specialists took fuel samples for laboratory analysis.

The authorities also continue to monitor the domestic market for petroleum products, analyzing fuel sales at filling stations and the operations of small oil refineries.