Importing garlic from China to Almaty: documents & volumes

To purchase garlic wholesale for Almaty, you must secure a registered Kazakhstani entity to clear customs and ensure all cargo declarations are prepared in Russian or Kazakh. You will also need to submit a brief declaration within 24 hours of the cargo crossing the border. Managing these documents correctly prevents cargo delays and additional storage fees.

What volume of garlic does Kazakhstan import?

According to 2024 customs data published by the World Integrated Trade Solution, Kazakhstan imported a total of 5,476,220 Kg of fresh or chilled garlic. The vast majority of this arrives overland. In the same year, the value of Kazakhstan garlic imports originating from China reached 4,716.64 1000USD. Buyers who import garlic from China must prepare to handle these large commercial volumes efficiently.

What is the minimum container volume?

Importers should plan their procurement around full 40ft containers to maintain viable freight costs. The standard minimum order volume for garlic packed in a single 40ft container ranges from 26 to 28 MT, as published in our current product specifications. We load these shipments to maximise space, though the exact tonnage depends on the packing format chosen by the buyer.

Who is permitted to file the customs declaration?

A customs declaration must be filed by a registered Kazakhstani entity, an individual entrepreneur, or a permanent resident. The Kazakhstan Customs Authority rules stipulate that foreign entities must use licensed customs brokers rather than filing directly. If your business is registered outside the country, you must contract a local broker to represent you before the shipment arrives.

Entity type	Customs filing method	Additional clearance costs
Registered Kazakhstani business	Direct filing permitted	Standard port and processing fees
Permanent resident of Kazakhstan	Direct filing permitted	Standard port and processing fees
Foreign import business	Via licensed customs broker only	Brokerage contract fees

Holding a local registration gives you direct control over the clearance process, whereas foreign businesses must factor a brokerage fee into their landed costs.

What documents must the exporter provide?

Your supplier must prepare accurate paperwork before the cargo loads. The Eurasian Economic Union requires that a phytosanitary certificate must be issued in the name of the importer and submitted for the customs clearance of imported products. Importers should confirm this detail early, as certificates issued to an intermediary or a freight forwarder will be rejected at the border.

How long do you have to notify customs on arrival?

A brief declaration and notification of arrival must be submitted to the customs body within 24 hours after the goods cross the border. The Kazakhstan Customs Authority enforces this tight window to manage congestion at temporary storage warehouses. Furthermore, the Customs Cargo Declaration must be completed in either the Kazakh or Russian language. You should ensure your clearance team has the translated documents ready before the container arrives. Confirm current procedures with your customs broker before shipping, as border rules are strictly applied.

How is the garlic packed for shipping?+

We supply garlic in cartons or mesh bags depending on the destination market, and the final packing format follows your order.

Can the phytosanitary certificate be submitted in English?+

The customs officer has the authority to request a translation of foreign documents into Kazakh or Russian, so it is safer to arrange all necessary translations before the cargo arrives.

Do I need a specific permit to bring garlic into Kazakhstan?+

You must confirm the current import permit requirements with the Ministry of Agriculture or your licensed customs broker before shipping, as agricultural regulations update frequently.

What happens if the brief declaration is submitted late?+

Failing to notify customs within the strict 24-hour window generally results in the cargo being detained at a temporary storage warehouse at the importer's expense.