Basic information
Outline of the system
Licences are issued to control the import of specified narcotic drugs, substances with psychotropic effects and their precursors (the Common List of Goods that are Subject to Non-Tariff Measures in Trade with Third Countries, approved by Decision of the Collegium of the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 30 "On Measures of Non-Tariff Regulation" of 21 April 2015, Annex 2.12).
Product coverage
This system fulfils part of the Kazakhstan’s obligation under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, and Table I and Table II of the Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The use of import licences enables the Government to monitor the quantities of controlled substances imported. This is intended to prevent the over-supply and diversion of controlled substances and is one strategy adopted to address drug misuse. The system is based on the requirements of the international treaties. The system is not intended to restrict the quantity or volume of imports.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to importers of controlled substances from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The controls on the importation of goods specified in this category are statutory requirements under the legislation detailed below:
- Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) of 29 May 2014;
- Agreement on the Procedure of Movement of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors on the Customs Territory of the Customs Union of 24 October 2013;
- Annex No. 7 “Protocol on Non-Tariff Measures Concerning Third Countries” to the Treaty on the EAEU;
- Decision of the Collegium of the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 30 “On Measures of Non Tariff Regulation” of 21 April 2015 (Section 2.12);
- Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 257 “On Accession of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 with Amendments in accordance with the Protocol 1972 on Amendments to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961” of 1 July 1998;
- Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 249 “On Accession of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Convention on Psychotropic Substances” of 29 June 1998;
- Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 246 “On Accession of the Republic of Kazakhstan to UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances” of 29 June 1998;
- Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 279-I “On Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Substitutes, Precursors and Countermeasures on their Illegal Circulations and Misuse” of 10 July 1998;
- Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 544-II “On Regulation of Trade Activity” of 12 April 2004;
- Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 202-V “On Permissions and Notifications” of 6 May 2014;
- Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 287 “On Approval of List of Goods, the Export and (or) Import of which is Carried out on the Basis of Permits in accordance with International Treaties and Permits Issued by State Bodies" of 24 April 2015;
- Order of the Acting Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industrry of the Republic of Kazakhstan No.39/NK "On Approval of the Register of Public Services" of 31 January 2020;
- Order of the Minister of the National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 67 “On Approval of the Qualification Requirements Maintained for Activities on Export and Import Licensing of Goods, List of Documents Confirming Compliance with them, Application Forms for Obtaining a Licence and (or) Annex to the Licence, the Form of a Licence and (or) Annexes to the Licence” of 30 January 2015.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
This system cannot be abolished without legislative approval.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Application forms are available at: http://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V1500011137#z32
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
An importer is required to submit the following documents to the authorized body via the web portal of electronic licensing of the Republic of Kazakhstan “E-license” (http://elicense.kz/?lang=en) or via the web portal of "Electronic government" of the Republic of Kazakhstan "e-gov" (https://egov.kz/cms/en) with the application for licence:
- Electronic copy of the foreign trade agreement (contract), applications, and (or) additions to it (for a single license), and in the absence of trade agreement (contract) - a copy of a document confirming the intent of the Parties;
- Electronic copies of permission of competent authority of the import state to import to his territory of concrete consignment of controlled substances if it is provided by the legislation of the relevant state, or the formal notice from this body that the specified permission isn't required.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Application should be filed in advance of arrival of the goods.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
No.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
No.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
The maximum processing time for licence is three working days.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Yes, an application is considered by only administrative body - the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
There are no conditions attached to the issuance of a licence.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Licence application fee is ten Monthly Calculated Indices.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Monthly Calculation Index (MCI) is an index used in Kazakhstan for the purpose of calculation of pensions and other social allowances as well as for the application of penalties, calculation of taxes and other payments to the budget, annually approved by Law "On Republican Budget". In 2021 MCI is 2 917 tenge).
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
Part II of the Appendix to Annex No. 7 "Rules of the Issuance of Licences and Permits to Export and/or Import Goods" to the EAEU Treaty establishes the grounds for refusing licences: (i) incomplete or inaccurate information in the documents submitted by the applicant to obtain a licence; (ii) non compliance with the requirements stipulated in the Appendix to Annex No. 7 to the EAEU Treaty; (iii) termination or suspension of one or more documents that served as the basis for issuance of a licence; (iv) violation of international obligations of an EAEU member State, which may occur as a result of performance of the contract which requires a licence; (v) exhaustion of quota (in the case of registration of a licence for goods subject to quotas).
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
The decision to refuse a licence has to be justified and presented by the authorized body to the applicant in writing.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
No.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon importation, an importer must present standard customs documentation along with a valid licence.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing required prior to importation.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
Licences are valid for the licence period.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences are not transferable between importers.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported.