Overview of Khorgos border crossing
Khorgos (Horgos) is the busiest China–Kazakhstan road border crossing and a key gateway for the Belt and Road Initiative. Located in Xinjiang province, it connects directly to Kazakhstan's highway network. The crossing operates Monday to Friday, 9:00–18:00 local time (Beijing time), with occasional Saturday openings during peak season. The Chinese side is called Horgos, the Kazakh side is Korgas. A modern International Center for Boundary Cooperation (ICBC) zone sits between the two sides, enabling simplified trade. Average daily capacity is 200–400 trucks depending on the season.
Required documents at Khorgos
On the Chinese side, you need: China Customs Declaration (pre-filed electronically), Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and the truck's TIR Carnet or transit declaration. On the Kazakh side: Kazakh Customs Declaration, CMR waybill, phytosanitary certificate (if applicable), and the driver's passport with valid Kazakh visa. Vehicle documents are equally important: international vehicle registration, insurance valid for Kazakhstan, and a technical inspection certificate. Pro tip: have all documents pre-translated into Russian alongside English and Chinese — Kazakh customs officers work primarily in Russian, and translated documents speed up processing significantly.
Typical wait times and how to reduce them
During normal periods (March–May, September–November), expect 1–2 days for customs processing on each side. During peak season (June–August, pre-Chinese New Year), wait times can extend to 3–5 days as queues of 500+ trucks form. To minimize delays: (1) Submit all customs declarations electronically 24–48 hours before arrival. (2) Arrive early in the week — Monday and Tuesday see the heaviest traffic from weekend accumulation. (3) Use a customs broker with a permanent presence at Khorgos who knows the officers and procedures. (4) Ensure your truck meets emission and safety standards — vehicles failing the technical check are turned back.
Practical tips for a smooth crossing
Keep a separate folder for Chinese customs documents and Kazakh customs documents — mixing them causes confusion at inspection. Ensure the driver carries cash in local currencies (RMB and KZT) for parking fees, scanning fees, and emergency expenses. The crossing area has limited facilities — drivers should stock food and water for potential multi-day waits. GPS tracking is essential: set up real-time tracking before departure so your freight forwarder and customs broker can coordinate timing. If your cargo is temperature-sensitive, ensure your reefer unit has enough fuel for extended border waits — generators sometimes need to run for 48+ hours at the crossing.