Thousands of trucks are stuck at the Kazakhstan–Russia border — at the Mashtakovo checkpoint alone, up to 7,500 vehicles have accumulated, with delays reaching ten days. The reason is a sharp tightening of customs controls by Kazakhstan: special attention is now given to electronics, drones, and Western-branded goods, which were often imported through “cargo” schemes.
The consequences are already tangible: delivery schedules are disrupted, contracts are broken, and part of the goods is spoiling due to the lack of storage infrastructure. Logistics between Asia and Russia is now under serious threat. Meanwhile, both sides are pointing fingers at each other — Russia’s Federal Customs Service blames unscrupulous foreign trade participants, while Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport claims the delays are caused by stricter control on the Russian side.
Experts link the escalation to Kazakhstan’s growing alignment with Western countries and a possible shift in its stance on sanction-related trade. As a result, “cargo” imports from Asia to Russia are now on the verge of collapse.
The consequences are already tangible: delivery schedules are disrupted, contracts are broken, and part of the goods is spoiling due to the lack of storage infrastructure. Logistics between Asia and Russia is now under serious threat. Meanwhile, both sides are pointing fingers at each other — Russia’s Federal Customs Service blames unscrupulous foreign trade participants, while Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport claims the delays are caused by stricter control on the Russian side.
Experts link the escalation to Kazakhstan’s growing alignment with Western countries and a possible shift in its stance on sanction-related trade. As a result, “cargo” imports from Asia to Russia are now on the verge of collapse.
