Kazakhstan to require digital marking of beer products in glass bottles from Sept. 1
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Kazakhstan will extend mandatory digital labelling to beer and beer drinks in glass bottles on 1 September 2026. Producers and importers must obtain a unique Data Matrix code for each unit, while retailers must scan codes at checkout and transmit sales data to the state system. The rollout follows the start of keg marking on 1 February and precedes mandatory can marking on 1 January 2027, even as industry groups have raised equipment cost concerns.
Implementation Timeline
Kazakhstan's State Revenue Committee said the September 1 requirement applies to beer and beer drinks in glass bottles produced or imported after that date, according to Kursiv.kz. The rule follows mandatory marking of kegs that began on February 1, 2026, and will extend to cans on January 1, 2027, the same date full traceability across the supply chain becomes mandatory. Beer made before the relevant packaging deadline without marking may still be sold for up to one year.
Compliance Costs
Each Data Matrix code for beer products costs 3.06 tenge excluding VAT. Producers need equipment to apply codes and integrate production lines with the state system, while retailers need cash registers and scanners capable of reading Data Matrix. 365 Info reported that Efes Kazakhstan proposed delaying the launch at least until November 2026, and Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin said the transition should be phased and some costs could be offset through tax mechanisms.
Traceability Rationale
The government has said the system addresses the lack of centralized accounting for beer, which unlike most alcohol was not previously covered by control marks. The code is meant to trace product from producer or importer to retail sale and detect illegally imported or produced beer. Consumers can check a product through the marking system's app. According to 365 Info, in the first 25 days after marking of beer products began, more than 6,500 market participants registered, 14.7 million codes were ordered and 4.2 million were applied.
What's Next
The next compliance date is January 1, 2027, when marking will extend to canned beer and full supply-chain traceability takes effect. It remains unclear whether smaller producers and retailers will complete equipment installation and integration in time, given earlier industry cost concerns and delayed timelines.
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Kazakhstan to require digital marking of beer products in glass bottles from Sept. 1
