The situation with the accumulation of cargo trucks at the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan has been officially commented on by the Kazakh authorities. In a statement posted on the website of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), it is noted that the increased time for passing border procedures is related to measures aimed at combating the illegal turnover of goods. Astana emphasizes that such steps are taken in the interest of national security and to regulate the border.
The Kazakh side stresses that "grey" imports significantly harm the economies of both countries and their international reputation. At the same time, as noted by the leadership of Kazakhstan, the strategy of respect for the Kyrgyz people remains unchanged, and allied relations should not suffer due to anti-smuggling actions. In turn, the EEC confirmed that such control measures are the exclusive prerogative of the countries and comply with the rules of Eurasian integration.
On the other hand, the Kyrgyz side and experts express the opinion that there is a need for the digitalization of control. In Bishkek, it is emphasized that physical inspections delay delivery times and increase the cost of imports. According to media reports and business associations, the solution to the problem may lie in the implementation of navigation seals. From February 11, 2026, mandatory navigation sealing for alcoholic and tobacco products is planned in Kyrgyzstan, which, according to local authorities, will help speed up the border crossing process and increase the transparency of transportation, while avoiding traffic jams.
