Books on Kaspi.kz are sold only with permission: «Досуг и книги» (Leisure and books) is on the list of restricted categories, and along with a contract and a waybill Kaspi asks for a list of publishers. Used books can't be sold, and neither can literature for religious rituals or publications marked 18+. The commission is 12.5% including VAT. The most surprising thing in this niche is delivery: a book at 5,200 ₸ earns less than one at 4,990 ₸, and an order of three books costs more in delivery than three separate ones. Everything step by step below.
In short
- «Досуг и книги» requires permission: a supply contract, a list of publishers, a waybill and payment.
- You can't sell used books, literature for religious rituals or goods marked 18+.
- An order from 3,000 to 5,000 ₸ costs 199 ₸ in delivery excluding VAT; from 5,000 to 10,000 ₸ it's 699 ₸ within the city.
- Prices from 5,000 to 5,653 ₸ within the city earn less than 4,990 ₸.
- The commission is 10.9% excluding VAT and 12.5% including VAT.
Step 1. Permission and the list of publishers
The Kaspi Guide (Kaspi's official help center) has a list of categories that require permission (q2224, updated Oct 5, 2026). «Досуг и книги» is on it. The form appears in your seller cabinet when you add a product from this category. The documents are:
| Document | Comment |
|---|---|
| A supply contract with your supplier, or a contract with a printing house or publisher | A contract with a distributor works too |
| A list of the publishers whose books you sell | This is specific to the book category |
| A waybill | For the batch you're going to sell |
| Payment documents | Payment orders or a bank statement |
It's best to make the publisher list complete from the start, with everyone whose books you plan to list. Kaspi may request the documents again, and fake paperwork can lead to being disconnected from the Store. Added a new publisher? Keep the waybill for that publisher's books at hand.
If a publisher or series is also on the list of restricted brands, you'll need a separate brand check: a letter from the rights holder, a contract, waybills and payment for the last 90 days, at least 10 units (q2618, updated Jul 10, 2026). It's rare for books, but worth checking. More in the article on brand restrictions on Kaspi.
Step 2. Which books you can't sell
Kaspi's list of prohibited goods applies to books directly (q3904, updated Jan 16, 2026):
- used goods. Second-hand and antiquarian books and read copies from a home library fall here, even if they look new;
- goods for religious rituals, with literature named explicitly on the list;
- goods marked 18+;
- goods with banned symbols or promoting violence or drugs;
- digital goods: e-books, access codes and subscriptions;
- items intended for free distribution, for example promo copies marked "not for sale".
Kaspi itself gives the reasons: legal restrictions, special delivery conditions and technical limitations. If you're unsure about a particular book, it's simpler not to list it. A general overview is in the article on prohibited goods on Kaspi.
Counterfeits are a separate issue. Pirated reprints of popular bestsellers do turn up, and Kaspi bans them too. Buy the print run from the publisher or from a distributor with a contract: that also settles the permission question.
Children's books: a declaration under TR CU 007/2011
Children's books have their own regulation — TR CU 007/2011 «О безопасности продукции, предназначенной для детей и подростков» (On the safety of products for children and teenagers) (TR CU 007/2011). Published books and magazines are explicitly within its scope. Under Article 12, they get a declaration of conformity under schemes 3d, 4d or 6d, which means testing in an accredited laboratory. Such a declaration is valid for no more than 5 years.
Article 8 sets requirements for the books themselves that a seller can check by eye:
| Article 8 requirement | How to check |
|---|---|
| Newsprint isn't allowed, except in single-use publications | Thin grey paper in a reading book is a red flag |
| Condensed typefaces aren't allowed | Squeezed letters in a children's book are a bad sign |
| A book for several age groups must meet the requirements for the youngest | Look at the target age on the cover |
Ask the supplier for a TR CU 007/2011 declaration for the children's series and check that it hasn't expired. It will also come in handy if Kaspi asks for documents again.
Step 3. The book listing
For a book, the key specifications are the ones people search by and that distinguish it from another edition:
- title and author;
- publisher and year of publication;
- ISBN;
- language: Kazakh, Russian, English;
- binding: hardcover or paperback;
- page count and format.
The same book in two translations or in different bindings is two different products, with different prices. It's better not to merge them into one product card (the shared listing all sellers use) (q5146, updated Jul 23, 2026). Kaspi uses the main specifications to attach your offer to the right card (q3554, updated Feb 23, 2026). One mistake in the ISBN or year, and you end up on another edition's card with other reviews.
Buyers check the edition's language first. A book in Kazakh and the same book in Russian often sit side by side in search results, and mix-ups lead to returns. Put the language both in the title and in the specifications.
Photos: the front cover, the back with the blurb, the spine and a couple of spreads. More on shooting in the article on product photos for Kaspi, and on the creation process in the article on how to create a product card on Kaspi.
Textbooks, workbooks and the season
Educational books follow the school calendar: demand builds before the school year and drops afterwards. Buying handwriting copybooks and workbooks in a large batch in October is risky; they'll sit until next summer. How to plan purchases around such peaks is covered in the article on seasonality of sales on Kaspi.
Workbooks also have a regulatory detail. Article 8 of TR CU 007/2011 bans newsprint in children's publications, but makes an exception for products not meant for reuse: exam papers, task cards, crosswords. So thin paper in an exercise book isn't necessarily a violation, while in a reading book it's a question for the supplier. In a textbook listing, always state the grade and year of publication: the curriculum changes, and buyers look for a specific edition.
Step 4. Delivery: where books lose money
A typical book costs under 10,000 ₸. For such orders, Kaspi Delivery charges by order value, not weight (q2288, updated Jun 16, 2026). Prices exclude VAT.
| Order value | Within the city | Within Kazakhstan |
|---|---|---|
| up to 1,000 ₸ | 49 ₸ | 49 ₸ |
| 1,000–3,000 ₸ | 149 ₸ | 149 ₸ |
| 3,000–5,000 ₸ | 199 ₸ | 199 ₸ |
| 5,000–10,000 ₸ | 699 ₸ | 799 ₸ |
| from 10,000 ₸, up to 5 kg | 1,099 ₸ | 1,299 ₸ |
VAT is added when the fee is charged, and the fee is charged after the order becomes «Выдан» ("Issued").
The dead zone above 5,000 ₸
Let's work out what's left after the 12.5% commission and city delivery, before the purchase cost.
| Price | Commission | Delivery incl. VAT | Left before purchase cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4,990 ₸ | 624 ₸ | 231 ₸ | 4,135 ₸ |
| 5,200 ₸ | 650 ₸ | 811 ₸ | 3,739 ₸ |
You raised the price by 210 ₸ and lost 396 ₸. You only catch up with the 4,990 ₸ result from 5,653 ₸ within the city and from 5,786 ₸ within Kazakhstan. If your book costs around 5,000 ₸, keep it just below the threshold or go straight above 5,700 ₸. The middle doesn't pay.
A basket of three books
A hypothetical example, not a client case. A book at 4,800 ₸, purchase cost 2,900 ₸. The buyer takes one book or three at once.
| Item | 1 book | 3 books in one order, city | 3 books in one order, Kazakhstan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order value | 4,800 ₸ | 14,400 ₸ | 14,400 ₸ |
| Commission 12.5% incl. VAT | 600 ₸ | 1,800 ₸ | 1,800 ₸ |
| Purchase cost | 2,900 ₸ | 8,700 ₸ | 8,700 ₸ |
| Delivery incl. VAT | 231 ₸ | 1,275 ₸ | 1,507 ₸ |
| Left | 1,069 ₸ | 2,625 ₸ | 2,393 ₸ |
Three separate orders would bring 3,207 ₸, while one order for three books brings 2,625 ₸ within the city. The order crossed 10,000 ₸, and delivery switched to weight-based pricing. In vitamins a bundle pays better; with 4,800 ₸ books it's the other way round. That's no reason to turn down large orders, but it is a reason to factor such a basket into your minimum price.
Packaging
Books fear moisture and crushed corners. A sturdy bag or a bubble-lined envelope; for gift editions, a box. If the item is packed incorrectly, you can be refused compensation for damage (q2296, updated Nov 5, 2025). More in the article on packaging for Kaspi Delivery.
Step 5. Returns
A buyer can return a book of proper quality within 14 days if it hasn't been used. If there's a defect — loose pages, blank pages, a misbound block — the deadline is 30 days (q2269, updated Sep 21, 2026). Printing defects usually go back to the publisher, so agree on this with your supplier in advance. The steps are described in the article on returns on Kaspi for sellers.
Commission and calculating the minimum price
Under the 2026 tariffs, the «Досуг, книги» section is 10.9% excluding VAT and 12.5% including VAT (Tariffs 2026, PDF). If an order is cancelled, the commission is refunded (q1344, updated Jan 6, 2026).
Minimum price = (Purchase cost + Delivery + Packaging) ÷ (1 − Commission incl. VAT)
For the book in the example: purchase cost 2,900 ₸, delivery 231 ₸, envelope 100 ₸ (our assumption). That gives (2,900 + 231 + 100) ÷ 0.875 ≈ 3,693 ₸. The price falls into the 3,000–5,000 ₸ bracket, the tariff is the same, no recalculation needed.
If the purchase cost were 3,600 ₸, the formula would give about 4,493 ₸, which is also the 199 ₸ bracket. But with a purchase cost of 4,200 ₸ the result goes over 5,000 ₸, and delivery has to be taken as 811 ₸ with VAT. Check the bracket after every calculation. More on cost price in the article on how not to sell at a loss on Kaspi.
Common mistakes when selling books on Kaspi
- An incomplete publisher list. New books then get rejected.
- Used books "as good as new". It's banned, however intact the book looks.
- Pirated reprints. Counterfeits are banned, and a cheap print run without a contract won't pass the check.
- The wrong language or translation on the card. The buyer gets the wrong book and returns it.
- A price of 5,000–5,600 ₸. Delivery takes more than the price added.
- A minimum price without checking the bracket. The delivery tariff depends on the price itself.
- A thin bag with no protection. Crushed corners are a common cause of unhappy reviews.
Checklist: books on Kaspi
- [ ] Permission for «Досуг и книги» is granted, and the publisher list is complete.
- [ ] No used books, promo copies, literature for religious rituals or 18+ publications.
- [ ] Children's books have a TR CU 007/2011 declaration.
- [ ] The listing shows author, publisher, year, ISBN, language and binding.
- [ ] Different translations and bindings are on different cards.
- [ ] The price isn't sitting in the 5,000–5,650 ₸ zone without a reason.
- [ ] The minimum price is checked against the delivery tariff bracket.
- [ ] The packaging protects the corners and keeps out moisture.
- [ ] Returns of printing defects are agreed with the supplier.
How to automate prices and avoid selling at a loss
A bestseller is usually sold by several bookstores at once, and on the card the one that's slightly cheaper wins. The SaleScout Kaspi bot checks prices every 20 seconds, keeps you at the top of the card and never drops below the minimum price you set. When a competitor raises their price, the bot raises yours too. SaleScout niche analytics helps you see which books people search for before you order a print run. You can try the bot free for 7 days, no card required. How dumping works on the card is explained in the article on dumping on Kaspi.
Frequently asked questions about selling books on Kaspi
Do you need permission to sell books on Kaspi?
Yes. «Досуг и книги» is a restricted category. Attach the supply contract, the list of publishers, a waybill and payment documents.
Why does Kaspi need a list of publishers?
It shows Kaspi whose books you'll be selling. Make it complete from the start and keep waybills for each publisher: Kaspi has the right to request documents again.
Can you sell used books on Kaspi?
No. Used goods are banned in the Kaspi Store entirely, and books are no exception. Second-hand books will have to be sold somewhere else.
Can you sell religious literature?
Literature for religious rituals is on Kaspi's list of prohibited goods. So are publications marked 18+.
How much does it cost to deliver a book through Kaspi?
It depends on the order value. From 3,000 to 5,000 ₸ it's 199 ₸ excluding VAT; from 5,000 to 10,000 ₸ it's 699 ₸ within the city and 799 ₸ to another city. From 10,000 ₸ it's by weight, starting at 1,099 ₸.
Why does a 5,200 ₸ book earn less than a 4,990 ₸ one?
At 5,000 ₸ delivery jumps from 199 to 699 ₸. With VAT that's 231 and 811 ₸. A 210 ₸ price increase doesn't cover the difference.
Can you merge the Russian and Kazakh editions into one card?
Better not. They're different products with different ISBNs and often different prices. The buyer should see right away which language they're buying.
What is Kaspi's commission on books?
12.5% including VAT, or 10.9% without it, under the 2026 tariffs.
Sources
- Kaspi Guide. «Разрешение на продажу ограниченных категорий» (Permission to sell restricted categories) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/goods/limit/q2224 (updated Oct 5, 2026)
- Kaspi Guide. «Разрешение на продажу ограниченных брендов» (Permission to sell restricted brands) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/goods/limit/q2618 (updated Jul 10, 2026)
- Kaspi Guide. «Какие товары нельзя продавать в Магазине на Kaspi.kz» (Which goods can't be sold in the Kaspi.kz Store) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/conditions/q3904 (updated Jan 16, 2026)
- EEC. TR CU 007/2011 «О безопасности продукции, предназначенной для детей и подростков» (On the safety of products for children and teenagers), regulation page — https://eec.eaeunion.org/comission/department/deptexreg/tr/bezopDeti.php; regulation text (Articles 8 and 12) — https://eec.eaeunion.org/upload/medialibrary/0f8/P_797_1.pdf
- Kaspi Guide. «Объединение товаров в одной карточке» (Merging products in one card) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/goods/card/q5146 (updated Jul 23, 2026); «Основные характеристики» (Main specifications) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/goods/card/q3554 (updated Feb 23, 2026)
- Kaspi Guide. «Тарифы Kaspi Доставки» (Kaspi Delivery tariffs) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/delivery/shipping/q2288 (updated Jun 16, 2026)
- Kaspi Guide. «Как подготовить товар для передачи на Kaspi Доставку» (How to prepare goods for Kaspi Delivery) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/delivery/shipping/q2296 (updated Nov 5, 2025)
- Kaspi Guide. «Возврат товара» (Product returns) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/refund/q2269 (updated Sep 21, 2026)
- «Тарифы Магазина на Kaspi.kz 2026» (Kaspi.kz Store tariffs 2026, PDF) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/cdn/content/pay/product/documents/Magazin/Tarify_Magazina_na_Kaspi_kz_2026.pdf (checked Oct 29, 2026)
- Kaspi Guide. «Комиссия Магазина на Kaspi.kz» (Kaspi.kz Store commission) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/conditions/q1344 (updated Jan 6, 2026)
The sources are in Russian; original titles are given with English translations. All links checked Oct 29, 2026.
Bota, analyst
SaleScout is our company's product. Kaspi and Kaspi.kz are trademarks of Kaspi.kz JSC; SaleScout is not affiliated with Kaspi.
