Customs regulations
Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Copy of visa
- Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
- Packing list
- Valued inventory in English or Russian
- Letter of employment
- Letter to Customs committee
- Photographs of each cultural item imported (2 copies each item)
- Copy of diplomatic card (diplomats)
Specific Information
- All non-diplomatic shipments are subject to payment of 0.15% for Customs fees based on the costs, insurance, and freight (CIF) value of the shipment and USD 0.15 per kg for Customs duties on air and surface shipments.
- Consumables are prohibited for temporary importation but can be imported for permanent regime.
- Returning citizens must pay full duties and taxes.
Local laws and customs
Kyrgyzstan has a secular constitution. Most Kyrgyz people are Muslims. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. Lack of cultural sensitivity has caused trouble for some unaware foreign nationals.
In 2021, the holy month of Ramadan is expected to start on 12 April and finish on 11 May. See Travelling during Ramadan
Possession and use of drugs is illegal. If you’re found guilty, you could face a lengthy prison sentence in basic conditions.
Homosexuality is legal, but not often discussed or recognised publicly. You should take care over public displays of affection. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.
Taking photos of anything that could be perceived as being of military or security interest may result in problems with the authorities.
You must carry your passport, or a notarised copy of it, at all times. The police can arrest you if you do not carry ID.
Dutiable Items
- 1000 cigarettes or
- 1000 grammes of tobacco products
- 1.5litres of alcoholic beverages and 2litres of wine
- Travellers can import and export an unlimited amount of foreign currency without incident. Citizens of Kyrgyzstan can import or export unlimited sums of local currency providing a declaration is made at the customs department upon entering or leaving the country. A small Embarkation tax equal to 10 USD will have to be paid all travellers leaving the country.
- On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form which must be retained until departure, and then handed over on the international flight leaving any CIS country. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables which must be registered on the declaration form. Customs inspection can be long and detailed.
- All weapons and ammunition will require a special permit before being granted admission into the country.
- Cats, dogs and other animals being imported will need a Veterinarian health certificate issued less than 10 days prior to flight. All pigeons are currently banned from entering the country.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs
- Weapons, explosives and ammunition – unless permission has been obtained
- Knives and deadly weapons
- Fruit and vegetables
- Plant and plant products
- All birds and poultry coming from or via Turkey
- Precious metals including gold and silver not declared at customs
- Printed material attacking the country and people of Kyrgyzstan
- Counterfeit money and goods
Miscellaneous (Pets, Motors, and others.)
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Copy of visa
- Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
- Original technical passport with de-registration mark
- Pro-forma invoice
- Letter of employment
- Letter to Customs committee
- Copy of diplomatic card (diplomats)
Specific Information
- Temporary importation is subject to Customs duties of 3% value added tax (VAT) and a 0.15% Customs fee per month.
- The sale of temporary imported vehicles is allowed only after the full payment of Customs duty and VAT.
- Permanent importation is subject to duties and taxes per Customs tariff (foreigners permanently importing car into Kyrgyzstan).
- All non-diplomatic air freight shipments over 50kg are liable to import tax of 4 Euro / kg.
Pets
Documents Required
- Certification of vaccination
- Veterinary health certificate
Specific Information
- Veterinary health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival.
Arms and Ammunition regulations:
Military arms and ammunition: permit, issued by the Ministry of Defence of Kyrgyzstan, is required.
Hunting or sporting weapons: permit, issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Police) of Kyrgyzstan, is required.
Wild Fauna and Flora:
The import of certain endangered species of plant, live animals and their products is prohibited or restricted under CITES.
For further details please refer to CITES: www.cites.org.
Additional Information on regulations:
Prohibited: Photographs and printed matter directed against Kyrgyzstan, narcotics (opium, hashish, etc.), fruit and vegetables.
Crew members customs regulations:
The same regulations as for passengers apply.
Pets:
Cats, dogs and birds must be accompanied by a veterinarian health certificate with the seal of the local Board of Health. The certificate must be issued maximum ten days prior to arrival. Pets must have been vaccinated against rabies within 12 months and 30 days prior to arrival.
Prohibited:
- Pigeons;
- all birds arriving from/via Turkey.
Baggage Clearance regulations:
Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in Kyrgyzstan.
Exempt: baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside of the C.I.S.
Currency
Currency Import regulations:
Local currency (Kyrgyz Som – KGS): only allowed for residents of Kyrgyzstan if previously declared when leaving the country.
Foreign currencies: maximum USD 10,000.- or equivalent. Amounts exceeding USD 3,000.- must be declared on arrival.
Currency Export regulations:
Local currency (Kyrgyz Som – KGS): unlimited for residents, if declaration is made.
Foreign currencies: up to the amount imported and declared.
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