Kyrgyzstan President signs bill: E-cigarette products in free economic zones are only for export sales

Kyrgyzstan President signs bill: E-cigarette products in free economic zones are only for export sales

The new law of Kyrgyzstan regulates the production and sale of nicotine-containing products, such as e-cigarettes (including disposable e-cigarettes), in free economic zones, which are limited to export sales.

According to Economist on January 12, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zaparov signed a law amending the Kyrgyz Free Economic Zone Law, which had previously been passed by the Kyrgyz Parliament. The new law aims to support entrepreneurs in free economic zones and resolve legal contradictions caused by changes in tax laws.

The new law clearly stipulates the types of activities allowed for free economic zone entities. Except for some specific circumstances, the production and sale of taxable goods are prohibited.

The exceptions allowed include: free economic zone companies registered before 2000 can produce and sell tobacco products (HS code 2402), which are subject to excise and value-added tax when entering other regions of Kyrgyzstan; nicotine-containing products, including disposable e-cigarettes and similar devices (HS codes 2404 and 8543400000), but must be restricted to sales outside Kyrgyzstan; mineral water and carbonated drinks containing sugar additives, fruit flavors or other sweet flavors (HS code 2202), which are also subject to excise and value-added tax when sold outside the free economic zone.

In November 2024, the President of Kyrgyzstan signed a new law, which will completely ban e-cigarettes from July 2025, including banning imports, circulation and use, and set corresponding fines.