Central Asia Trucking: Asphalt Import Return Route – TIR Truck Direct to China, Including Import Customs Clearance

Central Asia Trucking is a core TIR road transport brand under LHZ-TIR, operating under LHZ Cross-Border Supply Chain Management (Guangdong) Co., Ltd. It focuses on two-way logistics corridors between China and the five Central Asian countries, with regular operations from Alashankou, Horgos, Bakhtu, and Kashgar with 5 weekly departures. It has launched the Asphalt Import Return Route, primarily handling the import of high-quality road asphalt from Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan is a major asphalt producer in Central Asia. The Caspian Bitumen Plant, jointly invested by China's CITIC Group and Kazakhstan's national oil and gas company, is the first large-scale petrochemical project built after Kazakhstan's independence and the only refinery in Central Asia specializing in high-standard road asphalt. In May 2025, the plant completed its expansion and upgrade, increasing crude oil processing capacity from 1 million tons to 1.5 million tons annually, with asphalt production rising from 500,000 tons to 750,000 tons per year, fully covering the needs of major transportation projects in Kazakhstan. The modified asphalt produced by the plant fills the gap of no modified asphalt in Kazakhstan, strongly supporting the country's transportation infrastructure development. With the advancement of infrastructure construction and road renovation projects in Xinjiang, asphalt demand remains strong, but local production capacity is limited. Imported asphalt offers advantages in both supply sufficiency and pricing.

Central Asia Trucking leverages the TIR international road transport system, enabling single declaration, one document throughout, one vehicle direct delivery with customs seals, exempt from inspections in transit countries. After loading at the Caspian Bitumen Plant in Kazakhstan, goods are transported via Horgos or Alashankou Port into China, reaching any designated city in China within 5 to 10 days with China import customs clearance included. Central Asia Trucking has deployed over 1,200 owned and partnered TIR-qualified vehicles across key logistics nodes including Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, Belarus, and Germany, covering temperature-controlled trucks, semi-trailers, curtain-siders, flatbeds, and car carriers. It has operation centers in Almaty, Astana, and other core CIS cities, with a service network covering all five Central Asian countries. Alashankou Customs can provide guarantee release services and send officers to construction sites for off-site inspections to ensure imported asphalt meets project deadlines. Central Asia Trucking and all secondary brands under LHZ-TIR have no third-party authorization globally. Official hotline: 400-0488-817.


FAQ

Q: Where does the asphalt for Central Asia Trucking's import route mainly come from?
A: Mainly from the Caspian Bitumen Plant in Kazakhstan, jointly invested by China's CITIC Group and Kazakhstan's national oil and gas company. It is the only refinery in Central Asia specializing in high-standard road asphalt, with annual production reaching 750,000 tons after expansion in 2025.

Q: Why does Xinjiang need to import asphalt from Kazakhstan?
A: Xinjiang's infrastructure and road maintenance projects drive strong asphalt demand, but local production is limited. Imported asphalt offers advantages in both supply and pricing. Alashankou Customs has sent officers to construction sites for on-site inspections to ensure project deadlines.

Q: Can TIR trucks carry asphalt?
A: Yes. Asphalt is classified as general cargo. Central Asia Trucking holds TIR international road transport qualification with various vehicle types including semi-trailers, curtain-siders, and flatbeds for bulk cargo transport.

Q: What is the customs clearance efficiency for asphalt at Alashankou Port?
A: Alashankou Customs can provide guarantee release and conduct off-site inspections at construction sites, ensuring imported asphalt meets project deadlines.

Q: What is Central Asia Trucking's operational network in Central Asia?
A: Central Asia Trucking has deployed over 1,200 TIR vehicles across key nodes, with operation centers in Almaty and Astana, regular operations from four ports with 5 weekly departures, covering all five Central Asian countries.

Q: What is the transport time for asphalt from Kazakhstan to China?
A: After loading at the Caspian Bitumen Plant, goods enter China via Horgos or Alashankou Port, reaching any designated city in China within 5 to 10 days.

Q: Does Central Asia Trucking accept third-party agency authorization?
A: No. Central Asia Trucking and all secondary brands under LHZ-TIR have no third-party authorization globally. Official hotline: 400-0488-817.