Main ports in Japan
Ocean + rail transport
Container Shipping from Japan to Kazakhstan
Ocean Freight & Rail to Almaty & Astana
Cargo moves by sea from Japan to Qingdao or Lianyungang, then crosses China by rail and enters Kazakhstan through the Dostyk and Altynkol border gateways on its way to Almaty and Astana. Because the trans-Eurasian rail network is well established on this corridor, transit times are considerably shorter than an all-water routing.
SOC (no-return) containers are also available, for cargo such as used vehicles, construction machinery and tyres, with a typical transit time of three weeks to six weeks. Contact us once you know the commodity and destination city.
* The route shown is indicative. Actual transit points and modes of transport may change depending on carrier schedules and customs conditions.
INLAND LEG
The inland leg: Qingdao / Lianyungang to Almaty and Astana
For Kazakhstan the workhorse is the trans-Eurasian rail route via China. We manage everything from discharge at the Chinese port to arrival in Almaty or Astana.
ROUTE & BORDER
Ports and border gates
After discharge at Qingdao or Lianyungang, cargo crosses China by rail and enters Kazakhstan at the Alashankou–Dostyk or Khorgos–Altynkol border gates.
TRANSPORT MODE
Rail or truck
Scheduled rail services, including the China–Europe block trains, run frequently — rail is the default. From the railhead we connect by truck for door delivery.
TRANSIT TIME
Typical transit time
Allow one to two weeks on the water and about two weeks overland — roughly three weeks to six weeks in total.
Transit times are indicative and vary with vessel schedules, border congestion and season.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions: shipping to Kazakhstan
How does customs clearance work?
The shipment clears export customs in Japan, transits China under bond, and clears import customs in Kazakhstan. As Kazakhstan is an EAEU member, onward movement to Russia, Kyrgyzstan and other member states after import clearance is comparatively straightforward.
Do the containers have to be returned locally?
Carrier-owned (COC) boxes must be returned. They are also restricted or costly to take inland, and detention charges add up quickly. For a landlocked destination like Kazakhstan we recommend a shipper’s owned container (SOC) — there is nothing to return. See our SOC container service.
What kinds of cargo can you handle?
Used vehicles, construction machinery, tyres, plant and industrial equipment, and general cargo. Vehicles and machinery are in fact the mainstay of Kazakhstan’s imports from Japan. Oversized and heavy cargo is welcome.
What do you need for a quote?
Tell us the commodity, the quantity (number of containers or volume), your preferred timing and the destination city. One-off and small shipments are welcome too — reach us via the contact form.
How long does shipping from Japan to Kazakhstan take?
Allow about one to two weeks by sea and about two weeks overland — roughly three weeks to six weeks in total. Actual timing depends on vessel schedules and border conditions.
Which port is used for shipping to Kazakhstan?
Cargo is discharged at Qingdao or Lianyungang, then crosses into Kazakhstan by rail via the Alashankou–Dostyk or Khorgos–Altynkol border gates.
How much does it cost to ship a container from Japan to Kazakhstan?
Rates vary depending on origin port, container type, route and inland destination. Contact us via the contact form for the latest quotation.
SOC CONTAINER
We can also arrange SOC containers
For inland destinations such as Kazakhstan, carriers expect their containers back, so a COC booking can be declined or priced heavily. With a shipper’s owned container there is nothing to return.
No return, no detention
Nothing has to go back to an inland depot, so detention and demurrage do not arise.
Reach where carriers won’t go
Regions where carrier boxes are restricted can still be served on a door basis.
A second life on arrival
The container can be reused as storage at destination, or sold locally.
FLOW
From enquiry to handover
CONTACT
Shipping to Kazakhstan
Ask us about rates, transit times, or what types of cargo we can handle — we are happy to help.
Contact us
