Kyrgyzstan proposes six-month ban on energy drink imports: what products face restrictions

The Ministry of Economy of the Kyrgyz Republic has submitted a draft Cabinet of Ministers resolution on a temporary ban on the import of energy drinks for a period of six months. The restriction will affect products with a specific content of caffeine and other stimulating components. At the same time, the document provides for exceptions for transit cargo, previously paid supplies, and certain types of tonic drinks.

The initiative aims to reduce the consumption of energy drinks, primarily among children and adolescents. In its explanatory note, the Ministry of Economy cites the results of a study among schoolchildren, data on potential health risks, and import statistics for non-alcoholic beverages.

The draft concerns specifically the import of energy drinks. This document does not establish a ban on their domestic production or retail sale.

Which energy drinks will be banned

According to the draft, restrictions will apply to certain beverages under HS code 2202 of the EAEU Foreign Economic Activity Commodity Nomenclature that meet established composition requirements.

It is proposed to ban products with the following characteristics:

• caffeine — concentration exceeding 150 mg/l;
• dry matter — mass fraction exceeding 10%;
• additional components — substrates and energy metabolism stimulants, including taurine, L-carnitine, and glucuronolactone.

Thus, the restrictions will depend not only on the caffeine content, but also on other characteristics of the beverage.

At the same time, HS code 2202 covers a wide range of non-alcoholic products. Therefore, the ban does not mean the cessation of imports of all beverages falling under this code.

Which shipments will not be banned

The draft provides for three main categories of exceptions.

The first concerns transit cargo that passes through Kyrgyzstan and is not intended for sale on the domestic market.

The second applies to previously shipped or paid batches:

• goods dispatched before the resolution enters into force and currently in transit;
• products paid for before the ban takes effect, provided there are bank documents confirming the payment.

In both cases, goods must be imported within one month after the resolution enters into force.

The third exception concerns tonic non-alcoholic beverages that are not classified as energy drinks. Their import will require official confirmation from the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan.

Such conditions are intended to distinguish products subject to restrictions from other non-alcoholic beverages with tonic properties.

Why the Ministry of Economy proposes to restrict imports

The agency cites risks to public health, especially of children and adolescents, as the main justification for the initiative.

The explanatory note provides the results of a local study conducted in Bishkek in 2026, which involved 231 high school students. Additionally, specialists examined the assortment of 34 retail outlets.

According to the study, over 22% of surveyed schoolchildren regularly consume energy drinks. Furthermore, nearly 40% of consumers drink them more than three times a week.

The developers paid special attention to the sugar content in energy drinks. According to the data provided, the median amount of sugar in a single small package is about 55 grams.

By comparison, the World Health Organization recommends limiting free sugar intake to less than 10% of total daily energy intake, while a further reduction to approximately 25 grams per day for an adult with standard energy requirements can provide additional health benefits.

The Ministry of Economy also refers to international studies linking regular energy drink consumption to sleep disorders, increased anxiety, elevated blood pressure, and cardiovascular risks.

The agency points out the relevance of these risks for Kyrgyzstan. According to WHO data cited in the justification, about 41% of the country's adult population suffer from arterial hypertension. National screenings also reveal a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease.

Energy drink imports reach 274.43 million liters over three years

Significant import volumes of non-alcoholic beverages served as another argument for the Ministry of Economy. In the explanatory note, the agency provides National Statistical Committee data for 2023–2026.

In 2023, Kyrgyzstan imported 177.72 million liters of such products worth 7.56 billion som, or $86.16 million. Kazakhstan accounted for 76.77% of supplies.

In 2024, import volumes decreased to 166.33 million liters, and the value amounted to 7.40 billion som.

In 2025, supplies increased to 274.43 million liters worth 11.39 billion som, or about $130 million.

Kazakhstan maintained first place among suppliers with a share of 65.22%. Uzbekistan came in second, accounting for 17.64% of imports.

In January–August 2026, Kyrgyzstan imported 211.05 million liters of beverages in the category under review, valued at 10 billion som.

Meanwhile, the supply structure changed noticeably:

• Kazakhstan — 100.19 million liters, or 47.47%;
• Uzbekistan — 83.50 million liters, or 39.57%;
• Russia — 18.64 million liters, or 8.83%.

In the first eight months of 2026, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan accounted for 87.04% of imports in physical terms.

Thus, Kazakhstan remained the largest supplier, but Uzbekistan's share increased significantly compared to 2023.

Restrictions in other countries

In its justification, the Ministry of Economy cites international experience in restricting the sale of energy drinks to minors.

In particular:

• Kazakhstan — starting in 2025, the sale of energy drinks to persons under 21 is banned;
• Poland — an age restriction of under 18 applies;
• Norway — starting January 1, 2026, the sale of energy drinks to children under 16 is banned;
• Lithuania and Latvia — restrictions on the sale of energy drinks to minors are in effect.

Unlike the measures listed, the Kyrgyz draft provides for a temporary import restriction rather than the introduction of a new age threshold for buyers.

Agencies responsible for enforcing the ban

The Ministry of Economy will be required to notify the World Trade Organization and the Eurasian Economic Commission about the upcoming restrictions three days before the ban takes effect.

Within the same timeframe, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan will inform the CIS Executive Committee.

The Customs and Border Services will be instructed to take measures against the illegal import of products subject to the ban.

Specific duties are outlined for the State Tax Service. It will be required to halt the issuance of excise stamps for products labeled "energy drink" and ensure the blocking of their imports from EAEU member states.

When the ban could take effect

According to the draft, the Cabinet of Ministers resolution will enter into force seven days after its official publication. The import ban on energy drinks is proposed to be set for six months.

The Ministry of Economy notes that the adoption of the document will not require additional expenditures from the state budget.

The developers did not conduct a regulatory impact assessment. The agency explains this by the fact that the initiative falls under foreign trade regulation measures provided for by EAEU rules.

As a reminder, on November 5, 2026, President Sadyr Japarov instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to consider the issue of banning the production and import of energy drinks within a month. The head of state allotted six months to adopt corresponding regulatory measures.

According to the president's preliminary estimate, banning the production and import of energy drinks could lead to a reduction in budget tax revenues by approximately 1.5 billion som.

In his address, Japarov reported numerous citizen complaints regarding the consequences of energy drink consumption and instructed relevant divisions of the presidential administration to study the situation.

According to data provided by the president, domestic consumption of energy drinks in Kyrgyzstan reached 54.199 million liters, or about 129 million cans, in 2025.

For the first half of 2026, the figure stood at 36.083 million liters, or about 85.9 million cans.

In addition, on November 6, Economist.kg reported that Jogorku Kenesh deputy Erulan Kokulov proposed banning the sale of energy drinks to persons under 18. His bill provides for restrictions on stores, cafes, online platforms, and delivery services, as well as fines of up to 55,000 som for repeat violations.