China is Kyrgyzstan’s largest trading partner and largest source of imports.

Kyrgyzstan is an important hub of the ancient Silk Road and an important channel connecting Europe and Asia. It has a significant radiation effect on neighboring Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. Keep reading to learn more about shipping from China to Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan Customs Entry

Kazakhstan’s tariffs are influenced by its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, which is an economic union of five post-Soviet states located in Eurasia.

The Kyrgyz Customs Department is under the Ministry of Finance. It has 15 customs offices: in addition to the customs offices in 7 provinces and Bishkek (there are two customs offices in Tokmak and Karabarda in Chuy Province), Manas International Airport and Bishkek Free Economic Zone also have customs offices, in addition to the “Southern Customs”, “Northern Customs”, “Power Customs” and “Northern Railway Customs”.

The goods are subject to customs declaration when placed under a customs procedure. Customs declaring is made in writing and/or electronically by filling out a customs declaration form.

Taxes and fees collected by the customs include:

• Customs handling fee: 0.15% of the declared value, which must be paid for both imported and exported goods.
• Import tariff: divided into three types according to the calculation method: ad valorem tax, special tax and mixed tax.
• Value-added tax: 12%. The calculation method is: (declared value + tariff) × 12%.

The two land and road ports on the China-Kyrgyzstan border, Torugat Port and Irkeshtam Port, are located in the jurisdiction of Naryn Customs and Osh Customs respectively.

A commercial invoice is an essential document for any parcels sent to Kyrgyzstan. It provides comprehensive details about the shipment contents, transportation arrangements, costs, addresses, quantities, and declared worth. Multiple copies enclosed externally and internally allow Kyrgyz customs to thoroughly verify compliance with regulations and properly assess applicable duties or taxes. Accurate, complete invoices ensure smooth, rapid customs clearance.

Road Freight from China to Kyrgyzstan

Road transport is the most important mode of transport in Kyrgyzstan, accounting for more than 80% of the country’s total freight. The total mileage of Kyrgyzstan’s roads is about 34,000 kilometers, connecting with neighboring countries such as China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

Deciding whether to use road freight to Kyrgyzstan involves weighing its advantages against its limitations. While it offers flexibility and door-to-door delivery, it’s essential to consider the geographical and infrastructural challenges that might affect transit.

Though road freight is praised for its direct delivery capabilities, it faces limitations such as variable transit times due to road conditions, weather, and border delays. Moreover, it might not be the most cost-effective option for heavy or bulky items compared to rail or air freight.

Rail Freight from China to Kyrgyzstan

The railway network in Kyrgyzstan is underdeveloped, with a total length of 423.9 kilometers. The railway network consists of two unconnected parts, the northern and southern parts. At present, the northern railway is 322.7 kilometers long, starting from Balykchi on the west bank of Lake Issyk-Kul in the east, connecting to the railway network of Kazakhstan via the Kyrgyz-Kazakhstan border in the west, and can directly reach Russia; the southern railway is 101.2 kilometers long, from Osh to Jalal-Abad.

Rail freight offers a unique combination of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability. It’s particularly suited for heavy or bulky items that are expensive to ship by air and too slow to deliver by road. Rail’s fixed schedule reduces the risk of unexpected delays, making it a reliable option for time-sensitive shipments that do not require the speed of air freight.

Currently, rail traffic to/from China must transit through Kazakhstan. China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway has started construction in 2025.

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway starts from Kashgar, Xinjiang, and enters Uzbekistan through Kyrgyzstan. It can be extended to West Asia and South Asia in the future. It is an important part of the southern route of the China-Europe Express. It is about 523 kilometers long, including 213 kilometers in China, 260 kilometers in Kyrgyzstan, and about 50 kilometers in Uzbekistan. After completion, the railway transportation distance from East Asia to the Middle East and Southern Europe will be shortened by about 900 kilometers, and the transportation time can be shortened by 7 to 8 days.

As an important supplement to the planning of the Second Eurasian Continental Bridge, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway can connect China with the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea. Once the railway reaches the Central Asian Plain, there will be more transportation options to Europe.

Air Freight from China to Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has two main airports, namely Manas International Airport (FRU) and Osh International Airport (OSS). Currently, there are four direct flights from China to Kyrgyzstan, namely Beijing, Chengdu, Xi’an, and Urumqi to and from Bishkek.

FRU is the main international airport in Bishkek, also one of the largest modern airports in Central Asia. It occupies a strategic geographical location – at the intersection of Asian and European trade routes.

OSS is the most important airport in the south. The following airlines operate domestic and international flights through Osh International Airport: Avia Traffic Company, Tez Jet, Aero Nomad, Aeroflot, Jazeera Airways, S7, Ural Airlines, Rossiya, Azimuth, North Wind, Pegasus, Flynas, Air Arabia. The transportation routes cover the CIS countries, Asia and the Middle East.

The unparalleled speed of air freight dramatically reduces shipping times, making it an ideal choice for perishable goods, high-value items, and time-sensitive shipments. While it’s generally more expensive than other modes of transportation, the cost can be justified by the value it adds in terms of speed and reliability. Typically, shipments from China to Kyrgyzstan via air can take as little as 3 to 5 days, while road and rail freight may take anywhere from 10-20 days depending on the route and border processing times.

Express shipping is what we recommend for urgent deliveries. We are also happy to handle customs clearance for the import and export of express delivery goods. Thanks to the DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) procedure, we can reduce transport times even further. We will also pay any duties on your behalf, if this is what you request.

The shipping provider and service level selected make a very large impact as well. Rates among couriers like DHL, FedEx, UPS and USPS can differ dramatically. Opting for express delivery or priority shipping will be pricier than standard economy options that take longer but cost less. The specific destination address within Kyrgyzstan also affects pricing, as shipping to remote rural villages typically costs more than major cities with international airports and established infrastructure.

Other considerations that influence the final rate include additional services like insurance or tracking, fluctuating fuel/security surcharges, and any discounts available for high-volume ones.

Working with CFC

For many years, CFC has been forwarding freight to Kyrgyzstan from China with a direct scheduled weekly service, which includes secure, fast groupage, LTL / FTL, palletised and non-palletised freight.

We can offer you the requested support for your logistics. From the planning through transit to delivery, we carry out transports to Kyrgyzstan reliably, punctually and effectively.

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