Kyrgyzstan has launched a new digital system for international freight transport, replacing paper permits with an electronic platform for cross-border trucking to China and several Turkic states.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications introduced the e-Permit system in January 2026, allowing domestic carriers to obtain permits online for shipments to China, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.
Previously, Kyrgyzstan and China operated under a fixed annual quota of paper permits exchanged on a parity basis; 130,000 permits were issued in 2025 alone. The digital platform eliminates in-person applications, significantly reducing queues and administrative burden.
According to the ministry, the new system has cut processing times from up to 24 hours to just 10 minutes. Officials say it enhances transparency, improves administrative efficiency, and helps reduce the risk of corruption.
Regional Logistics Strategy
The launch of e-Permit is part of Kyrgyzstan’s broader effort to position itself as a regional logistics hub. Authorities view streamlined cross-border transport procedures as essential to boosting trade, especially as the country expands its economic ties with neighboring and Turkic states.
Integration with TRACECA
The e-Permit rollout follows Kyrgyzstan’s December 2025 accession to the multilateral permit system of the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA).
Membership in TRACECA allows Kyrgyz carriers to conduct bilateral and transit shipments using a single multilateral permit across participating countries, including Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Officials say the integration will lower transport costs, reduce delivery times, and facilitate broader access for Kyrgyz exports to European, Turkish, and Black Sea markets.
