Starting November 9, international freight carriers operating across the border between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will face a mandatory financial deposit system for booking electronic queues. The measure, supposedly implemented by the authorities to combat artificial congestion and enforce driver accountability, introduces new economic hurdles for regional logistics.

According to the state revenues department of Kazakhstan's Turkistan region, the new requirement applies specifically to the "Kazygurt," "B. Konysbaeva," and "Atameken" border checkpoints. Transport operators wishing to secure a designated crossing slot must maintain a balance of 86,500 tenge—approximately 2.3 million Uzbek soums—in a specialized electronic account.

While authorities claim the system is fully refundable if the truck arrives precisely on schedule, the penalties for non-compliance are severe. If a carrier fails to show up at the designated time twice within a 90-day calendar period, the entire deposit will be forfeited and transferred directly to the state budget, adding financial risks for transportation companies.

Meanwhile, the modernization of the "Zhibek Zholy" checkpoint on the same border is reportedly nearing completion. The regional regime claims the upgraded facility will transform into one of the most powerful pedestrian and cargo border crossings in the area, although skeptics remain cautious about the actual efficiency gains following the renovation.

Source: podrobno.uz