Kazakhstan bans sale of unverified mobile phones
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Kazakhstan has banned the sale of mobile phones that have not passed mandatory verification, the Consumer Protection Committee of the Ministry of Trade and Integration announced. Unverified devices will be classified as goods of inadequate quality, entitling buyers to demand a refund, replacement, or repair from the seller. The law was published on June 20, 2026, and will take effect 60 days later.
New Verification Requirements
Under the law on telecommunications market and data center development (No. 320-VIII), all mobile devices sold in Kazakhstan must undergo verification to confirm their legal import or production. Sellers are required to show the buyer the device's IMEI code before payment and check its status in a special database. Unverified phones are now legally considered defective goods.
Buyer Rights Expanded
Buyers of unverified phones can demand a price reduction, free repair, replacement with a similar or different model with price recalculation, or contract cancellation with a full refund. These claims must be directed to the seller who sold the device. Previously, buyers faced the risk of their phone being disconnected from the network if the IMEI was not verified within a limited time.
Seller Obligations
Sellers must verify the device's identification code before sale and provide the buyer with the verification status. Receipts and other documents must now include the device's identification code. The law aims to combat telecom fraud and protect consumer rights, according to the committee.
What's Next
The law will come into force 60 days after its official publication on June 20, 2026, meaning enforcement begins around August 19, 2026. It remains unclear how authorities will monitor compliance and whether existing stock of unverified phones will be allowed to be sold during a transition period.
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Kazakhstan bans sale of unverified mobile phones
