Currency restriction

The import of foreign currency exceeding 3, 000 USD or equivalent should be declared on arrival. The export of foreign currency is unlimited, pro vided that amounts exceeding 3, 000 USD or equivalent are declared on arrival. Otherwise, Form # 200 or 210 on individual income tax returns (tax payer’s copy) must be submitted. This declaration form must be retained until departure.

Budgeting for Your Trip

Shymkent is not an expensive city. Costs here may slightly exceed the amount of money one you would spend in a city. Decent budget accommodation starts at 80 USD, an average of 130­190 USD gets you a room in a good 4­star ho tel. Breakfast is usually included. Food from street stalls is cheap, but we would advise to restrain from consuming it. Budget 25 USD for a main meal in cafés and restaurants. Alcohol is quite expensive; expect to pay 6 USD for a pint of beer. Admission fees to attractions are generally reasonable. Public transport is cheap, and hitch­hiking is reasonable. If you on a budget, you can get by on 135 USD a day; 250 USD per day is a fair budget.

Customs

The following goods can be imported into Kazakhstan by persons over 16 years of age without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco products, 3 liters of alcoholic beverages, a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use, gifs up to the value of 1,500 USD for personal use only, 6 items of jewellery, 1 musical instrument, 10 pieces of CDs, DVDs, newspapers. It is advisable to keep receipts for items bought in Kazakhstan in order to avoid difficulties at customs on departure.

Banned imports

Military weapons and ammunition; narcotics; pornography; live animals (unless with special permit); photographs or other printed materials aimed against Kazakhstan; pigeons; gold and silver (except personal jewellery) and articles containing precious stones or pearls; anything owned by a third party that is to be carried in for that third party.

Banned exports

The same list as in prohibited imports, extras include state loan certificates, lottery tickets, works of art and antiques (unless permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture), Saiga horns, Siberian stag, punctuate and red deer antlers (unless on an organized hunting trip), and deer skins, caviar (more than 200 grams).

TRAVEL TIPS

Electricity

Kazakhstan’s voltage system is 220 volts. European two­pin sockets are used.

Smoking

Cigarettes can’t be sold to people under 18. Smoking is banned in public indoor places, which are too often not equipped with smoking cabins.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-28