Kazakhstan plans to extend six-month ban on petroleum product exports

ASTANA. Aug 6 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan is set to extend its ban on the export of gasoline, diesel fuel, and certain other petroleum products for another six months as part of ongoing efforts to prevent domestic fuel shortages.

The proposed order from the Energy Ministry is currently available for public discussion on the Open NPA website until August 19.

The draft document outlines "a six-month prohibition of gasoline, diesel fuel, and certain types of petroleum products (2709 00, 2710, 2902, 3403, 3811, 3826 00 according to the goods codes specified in the EAEU External Economic Activities Regulation) from Kazakhstan, including to Eurasian Economic Union member states, via road transport."

However, the ban will not apply to lubricants and petroleum products exported in fuel tanks, aviation fuel for research purposes, or products exported as humanitarian aid, provided they are coordinated with the relevant authorities and backed by agreements with testing organizations.

The export ban, in effect since January 2021, is periodically extended, with the most recent extension occurring in February 2024. The ban was tightened in February 2023 to include a four-month prohibition on the export of certain petroleum products by all transport methods. The measures are designed to prevent fuel shortages in the domestic market.