Three routes to Central Asia: via Belarus, via Latvia or via the Caspian
A shipment from Lithuania to Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan has three realistic routes. First — via Belarus and Russia: the shortest and cheapest, 9–15 days to Tashkent, but closed to goods that EU regulations 765/2006 and 833/2014 prohibit from transiting. Second — via Latvia and Russia: bypasses Belarus, so it works for goods barred only from Belarus; adds 1–2 days. Third — via Turkey, Georgia and the Caspian Sea: entirely outside Belarus and Russia, 18–28 days, more expensive, but the only way for sanctioned goods.
Which route is open is decided not by the product name but by the HS code. That is why every code in the checker is now marked with one of three routes: via Belarus, via Latvia, or Turkey and air only. We built the list from the annexes of the EU regulations and our own experience at the border, and added by hand the codes that are not formally prohibited but are stopped in practice.
A practical rule: check the code before asking for a quote. If only Turkey or air is left, the price will be different and the transit longer — better to know on day one than at the border. If the Belarus route is open but the product could technically be dual-use (chapters 84, 85, 90), we screen it additionally before accepting the booking.
The Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan pages now carry detailed route guides with transit times, documents and pricing principles.
The three routes at a glance
| Route | Path | Transit to Tashkent | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Via Belarus and Russia | Lithuania → Belarus → Russia → Central Asia | 9–15 days | goods not barred from transit; shortest and cheapest |
| 2. Via Latvia and Russia | Latvia → Russia → Central Asia (bypasses Belarus) | route 1 + 1–2 days | goods barred only from Belarus |
| 3. Via Turkey, Georgia and the Caspian | Turkey → Georgia → Caspian Sea → Central Asia | 18–28 days | sanctioned goods; entirely outside Belarus and Russia |
How to choose in three steps
- Find the HS code of your goods (not the product name).
- Run it through the free HS code check: it shows which of the three routes is open, or whether only Turkey or air remains.
- Ask for a quote for the open route. If the code could be dual-use (chapters 84, 85, 90), we screen it additionally before accepting the booking.
What changes with the route
Transit time and price change with the route: route 1 is the shortest and cheapest, route 2 adds one to two days, route 3 is the longest and more expensive but the only option for sanctioned goods. Checking the code on day one avoids a stopped truck at the border.
Questions and answers
Which route is the cheapest?
Via Belarus and Russia, if the code allows it.
Can I choose the route myself?
The route is decided by the HS code; we recommend the open one.
How long does the Caspian route take?
18–28 days.
Tool: HS code check