Marking and Traceability of Beer and Beer-Based Beverages in the Republic of Kazakhstan

As of February 1, 2026, mandatory digital marking of beer and beer-based beverages has been introduced in the Republic of Kazakhstan:

·        From February 1, 2026 (for products manufactured from February 1) — mandatory marking of beer and beer-based beverages packaged in kegs;

·        From September 1, 2026 (for products manufactured from September 1) — mandatory marking of beer and beer-based beverages in bottles;

·        From January 1, 2027 — mandatory marking of beer and beer-based beverages in cans.

The main objectives of introducing marking are to ensure transparency in the circulation of beer and beer-based beverages, reduce the volume of illegal products, protect consumers, and strengthen government oversight.

The following parties are involved in the marking system:

·        manufacturers,

·        importers,

·        wholesale and retail sellers,

·        the Unified Marking Operator,

·        and the Information System for Marking and Traceability of Goods (IS MTG).

Every participant in the supply chain must register with the IS MTG and ensure that accurate data are transmitted at every stage of the product life cycle.

Marking is carried out using a two-dimensional GS1 DataMatrix code applied to:

·        consumer packaging,

·        group packaging,

·        kegs or their closures.

Product marking procedure:                    

·        Manufacturers must mark beer before placing it on the market in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

·        Importers must ensure marking before importation or before customs clearance.

A separate transitional period is provided: remaining stocks of unmarked products manufactured before the introduction of mandatory marking may be sold for one calendar year.

Placing on the market, circulation, and withdrawal from circulation:

The placement of products on the market is recorded in the IS MTG:

·        for domestically produced beer — after the marking codes have been applied,

·        for imported beer — after importation into the country.

Information must be transmitted whenever ownership is transferred or products are moved through the supply chain.

At retail level, withdrawal from circulation is recorded through cash registers, with data transmitted to the fiscal data operator and then to the IS MTG in real time.