Kazakhstan plans to expand fuel export ban, including for jet fuel and bitumen

ASTANA. Nov 27 (Interfax) - The Kazakh Energy Ministry has proposed widening the current ban on fuel exports, including for gasoline, jet fuel and bitumen, starting January 1, 2025.

The six-month ban, which was prepared in addition to instructions issued in October, will apply to exports outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

"Starting January 1, 2025, a six-month ban will be imposed on the export of light distillates (EAEU CN FEA codes 2710 12 110 1 - 2710 12 310 0, 2710 12 700 0 - 2710 12 900 8), aviation kerosene and diesel fuel (EAEU CN FEA codes 2710 19 110 0 - 2710 19 460 0), gas oils (EAEU CN FEA codes 2710 20 110 0 - 2710 20 190 0), toluene, xylene (EAEU CN FEA codes 2902 30 000 0, 2902 41 000 0, 2902 42 000 0, 2902 44 000 0) and petroleum bitumen (EAEU CN FEA code 2713 20 000 0) outside the customs territory of the EAEU," according to the draft document posted on the "Open NPA (Regulatory Legal Acts)" website.

Exceptions are provided for certain exports, such as fuel in vehicle fuel tanks, jet fuel for research purposes, for laboratory tests from pilot batches for industrial production, and specific petroleum products related to humanitarian aid, subject to approval by relevant authorities.

The proposed regulations, which are open for public comment until December 10, 2024, aim to prevent fuel shortages in Kazakhstan's domestic market.

A joint order by the Kazakh energy minister on October 8, 2024, extended the six-month ban on the export of gasoline, diesel fuel, and certain petroleum products (EAEU CN FEA codes 2709 00, 2710, 2902, 3403, 3811, 3826 00) via road transport, including to EAEU member states.

These export restrictions have been in place since January 2021 and are regularly extended every six months to safeguard Kazakhstan's fuel supply.