Wave 3 · beyond the EU
Selling in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan): distributors, retail and marketplaces
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are the two largest markets of Central Asia, with growing retail, construction and industry, and importers who already know Chinese suppliers well. Our group already runs businesses in both countries and works with local partners there.
The two countries have different rules. Kazakhstan is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and uses its technical regulations and EAC marking; Uzbekistan is an observer, not a member, and applies its own national certification.
Countries in this region
Each country has its own page with buyers, channels and rules.
How B2B buying works in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Buyers are importers and distributors, wholesale markets and trading companies, retail chains, online retailers, builders and industrial companies. Many importers have bought from China for years; they want reliable quality, competitive prices and a partner who handles documents and certification correctly.
Business is personal and often in Russian, with Kazakh or Uzbek used alongside. Buyers expect visits, samples and fast answers, and they pay close attention to delivery routes, customs costs and the time goods need to arrive.
What Chinese suppliers often get wrong
A frequent mistake is to ship without the right conformity documents. In Kazakhstan, products under EAEU technical regulations need a certificate or declaration of conformity and the EAC mark, and the applicant must be a person authorised by the manufacturer or a resident importer, not the foreign factory itself. Uzbekistan has its own national certification rules. Documents made for the EU can help as test evidence, but they do not replace local conformity documents. We check the requirements for each product.
How we approach Central Asia
We work through our group companies and partners in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. They know local buyers, logistics and certification practice. We research importers and distributors in your category, prepare the offer in Russian and local languages, and follow up every contact. Contracts with buyers are signed in your name, and every introduced buyer is registered in the shared CRM.
Sales channels in Central Asia
We choose the channels that fit your product, price level and order size.
Importers and distributors
Companies in Almaty, Astana and Tashkent that import, hold stock and supply the regions.
Wholesale trade
Wholesale companies and markets that supply shops across the country.
Retail chains
Home, DIY, electronics and children’s chains with central purchasing.
Online retail
Local marketplaces and online shops, growing fast in both countries.
Construction and industry
Builders, installers and industrial companies buying materials, tools and equipment.
Selling in Central Asia: what to know
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Language of offers | Russian is widely used in business; Kazakh in Kazakhstan and Uzbek in Uzbekistan on labels and documents where rules require. |
| Currency and payment | Prices often in US dollars or yuan for imports; tenge (KZT) and sum (UZS) locally. Deposits and payment before shipment are common with new buyers. |
| VAT | Kazakhstan 16% since 1 January 2026 (previously 12%); Uzbekistan 12%. |
| Product rules | Kazakhstan: EAEU technical regulations, certificate or declaration of conformity and EAC mark; applicant is the manufacturer’s authorised person or a resident importer. Uzbekistan: national certification, checked per product. |
| Marketplaces | Local marketplaces and online shops; listing usually through a local importer or partner. |
| Trade fairs | Local sector fairs in Almaty, Astana and Tashkent; we recommend fairs per category with our partners. |
| How we serve it | Through our group companies and partners in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with offers and CRM reporting from our team. |
Strongest categories for Central Asia
Industries where importers in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan regularly look for suppliers.
Frequently asked questions
What is EAC certification for Kazakhstan?
EAC is the mark for products that meet the technical regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union, of which Kazakhstan is a member. Products under these regulations need a certificate or declaration of conformity before they are sold. The applicant must be the manufacturer’s authorised person or a resident importer.
Do Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have the same rules?
No. Kazakhstan applies EAEU technical regulations and EAC marking. Uzbekistan is an EAEU observer, not a member, and applies its own national certification. We check each country separately for your products.
What language should offers be in?
Russian is the usual business language in both countries, often together with Kazakh or Uzbek. We prepare offers and product information in the languages buyers use.
Do I need a local company?
No. Local importers buy from your factory and handle import. For certification in Kazakhstan the applicant must be an authorised person or resident importer; our partners can help arrange this.
How long until the first order?
We cannot promise a date. Importers who already buy from China can decide quickly once price, samples and documents are right; certification can add time before the first shipment.
Start selling in Central Asia
Send your catalogue and prices. We reply within one working day and tell you which buyers and certification steps apply.
Apply for European sales
Tell us what you make and where you want to sell. Within one working day we reply with a first view of your chances in Europe and the next step.
- Reply within 24 hours on working days
- Write in English or Chinese
- No fee until you accept a written proposal
- Emailcorp@longmeniq.com
- WhatsApp+48 794 992 599
- WeChat+48 794 992 599Add us by phone number
- Phone+48 577 723 719
- Working hoursMon–Fri, 9:00–17:00 Warsaw16:00–24:00 Beijing (winter)
- EU officeEnjoyGroup Sp. z o.o.ul. Brzeska 8/4, 21-500 Biała Podlaska, Poland