Prohibited souvenirs — what you cannot take out of Kazakhstan

Guidelines for Buying Souvenirs in Kazakhstan

Items You Cannot Export

• Items protected by the state and included in the list of cultural heritage of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• Exhibits from museums, archives, and state or private collections.
• Artifacts related to the history, archaeology, and culture of Kazakhstan, as well as to famous historical figures.
• Parts of architectural, historical, and artistic monuments.
• Any items found during archaeological excavations.
• Icons, manuscripts, and religious items made before the mid-19th century.
• Unique items over 50 years old made of gold, platinum, silver, or using precious and semi-precious stones, without special permission.
• Rare animals and plants listed in the Red Book, as well as products made from them (skins, horns, bones, feathers).
• Weapons, ammunition, and dangerous items without special permits.
• Narcotic and psychotropic substances, as well as potent drugs without a prescription

Goods requiring special permission for export from Kazakhstan

• Items of cultural value that are not completely prohibited from export but are subject to examination and permission from the authorized authorities.
• Antiques and works of art created more than 50 years ago that are not included in the list of cultural heritage, subject to an expert opinion.
• National musical instruments, applied art and household items of historical or cultural value.
• Jewelry and items made of precious metals and stones, if they exceed the established norms or are of cultural value.
• Pets — if accompanied by a veterinary passport, certificates, and international permits.
• Plants, seeds, seedlings, and products of plant origin — if accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.
• Products of animal origin (meat, fish, caviar, etc.) — if accompanied by a veterinary certificate and within permissible limits.
• Medicines containing potent, narcotic, or psychotropic substances — if accompanied by a doctor's prescription and in limited quantities.
• Weapons, sporting weapons, hunting knives, and their components — with permits from the relevant authorities.
• Cash and valuables exceeding the limit established by law — subject to mandatory declaration.