In 2025, Kazakh authorities intensified enforcement efforts against intellectual property infringements and illicit trafficking in counterfeit goods.
According to the justice authorities, 318 inspection orders were issued during the year, resulting in the detection of 293 violations. A total of 303 cases were initiated for the незаконне використання чужих торговельних марок, service marks, geographical indications, and appellations of origin.
Overall, 294 individuals were held administratively liable, with total fines amounting to KZT 32.8 million. Currently, 11 cases remain pending before the courts, while one case has been closed. In total, 205,000 units of counterfeit goods were removed from illegal circulation, with an estimated value of KZT 17 million.
Additionally, during the “Counterfeit” operational campaign conducted by law enforcement authorities from 4 to 7 August 2025, approximately 2,000 units of goods prohibited from free circulation were seized. These included 1,709 counterfeit CD/DVD discs, 67 units of specialized equipment, and over 300 other prohibited items.
Monitoring of online activity led to the identification of 205 foreign internet resources disseminating unlawful content. Relevant materials were submitted to the “Cyber Oversight” system of the Ministry of Culture and Information for further review and action.
Significant enforcement results were also achieved by the Financial Monitoring Agency in cooperation with other state bodies. In 2025, authorities seized:
- 10.3 million packs of tobacco products;
- 10 million units of finished smokeless tobacco products;
- 18,000 bottles of alcohol;
- 611 units of спиртовмісної рідини.
In addition, 29 illegal alcohol production facilities and 2 tobacco manufacturing sites were dismantled.
Special attention was given to combating the illicit trafficking in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Nearly 1 million vaping devices, valued at approximately KZT 13 billion, were seized, and major supply channels were disrupted.
Law enforcement authorities also uncovered a large-scale distribution scheme for smokeless tobacco products organized by five residents of Almaty. Approximately 500,000 vaping devices, worth KZT 6.4 billion, were discovered in rented storage facilities.
Furthermore, the Department of Economic Investigations in the Pavlodar region is investigating an organized criminal group involved in the illegal importation and sale of vaping products. As part of the case, 154,000 devices valued at around KZT 2 billion were seized.