Kazakhstan extends ban on gasoline and diesel exports until May 22, 2027

Ban extended for another six months

Kazakhstan has extended the ban on the export of gasoline, diesel fuel and a number of other petroleum products for six months — from November 22, 2026 to May 22, 2027. The order was signed by Energy Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov. Spot.uz, citing Zakon.kz, indicates the signing date as October 30, whereas the Russian-language version of Spot.uz, citing Inbusiness.kz, names November 30 — the outlets differ on this detail. The previous ban was in effect from May 21 to November 21, 2026, meaning the new decision extends the restriction without a break.

What exactly is being restricted

The ban covers the export of gasoline and diesel fuel by road, including supplies to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. The Russian-language publication lists Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia among them — although Tajikistan is formally not a member of the EAEU, as the outlet's own text notes. The restrictions also affect rail transportation, but the export of certain grades of gasoline by train is allowed under approved supply plans. From January 1 to June 30, 2027, the export beyond the customs territory of the EAEU of light distillates, aviation kerosene, diesel fuel, gas oil, toluene, xylene and petroleum bitumen is additionally prohibited.

Exemptions and stated goals

The ban contains a number of exemptions: fuel is allowed in a car's factory tank no more than once a day; aviation fuel supplies for research and laboratory testing, in coordination with state bodies; and petroleum products as part of humanitarian aid under decisions of the government of Kazakhstan. The Ministry of Energy explains the restrictions by the need to ensure energy security, support the stable operation of oil refineries and stabilize prices on the domestic market.

Exports to Tajikistan while the ban is in effect

At a government briefing on November 10, Akkenzhenov announced plans to export 20,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline to Tajikistan; according to him, the agreement was reached during the visit of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to Kazakhstan. How this fits with the extended ban, the outlets do not clarify. Earlier, Spot also wrote about the modernization of the Bukhara refinery to increase the output of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline, while Kyrgyzstan, due to the risk of shortages, introduced an indefinite ban on the export of oil, gasoline and diesel.