Musical instruments are sold on Kaspi without a permission, and there's one commission for everything, from a pick to a digital piano: 12.5% including VAT. The niche has two different economies. Strings and accessories cost a couple of thousand tenge, and the margin there is eaten by the delivery tier. A guitar or a dombra costs tens of thousands, and money is lost on a broken neck. Below: which documents electronic instruments need, how to pack acoustic ones and where the minimum price lies.
In short
- Instruments sit in the «Досуг, книги» (Leisure, books) section: 10.9% excluding VAT, 12.5% including VAT. The restriction in this section applies only to books.
- A digital piano, a synthesizer and a combo amp are «инструменты электромузыкальные» (electronic musical instruments); they are on the certification lists of TR CU 004/2011 and 020/2011.
- An acoustic guitar, dombra, violin and drums don't need these regulations: there are no electrics in them.
- A 45,000 ₸ guitar leaves 7,900 ₸ within the city, a 280,000 ₸ digital piano leaves 34,325 ₸ to another city.
- A bundle of two string sets priced just above 5,000 ₸ can bring less than one set.
Where instruments sit in the catalog and what Kaspi charges
In Kaspi's 2026 tariffs, musical instruments are a subcategory of the «Leisure, books» section. It includes string instruments (acoustic and electric guitars, ukuleles, dombras, banjos, mandolins), bowed instruments (violins, cellos, kobyz), keyboards (digital pianos, synthesizers, MIDI keyboards, bayans and accordions), wind, percussion and a large block of accessories: strings, picks, capos, cases, stands, tuners, effects pedals, combo amps, instrument cables. The rate for all of them is 10.9% excluding VAT and 12.5% including VAT (Tariffs 2026, PDF).
The restricted categories list does have a «Досуг и книги» (Leisure and books) section, but it lists only book genres: business literature, children's, computer books and so on (list, PDF). Instruments need no permission (q2224, updated Oct 5, 2026). Check brands separately: if a brand is on the restricted list, Kaspi will ask for a letter from the rights holder or a contract, invoices and proof of payment for the last 90 days (q2618, updated Jul 10, 2026). Copies of famous guitars with someone else's logo on the headstock are fakes, and such goods can't be sold (q3904, updated Jan 16, 2026). More in the article brand restrictions on Kaspi.
Documents: acoustic, electronic and everything in between
TR CU 004/2011 on low-voltage equipment covers equipment rated 50–1,000 V AC and 75–1,500 V DC. Its list of products subject to certification has a separate item for «инструменты электромузыкальные» (electronic musical instruments), next to audio equipment and power supplies (TR CU 004/2011). Electronic musical instruments are also on the list of TR CU 020/2011 on electromagnetic compatibility (TR CU 020/2011).
| Item | TR CU 004/2011 | TR CU 020/2011 | What to ask the supplier for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustic guitar, dombra, violin | doesn't apply | doesn't apply | Nothing mandatory under the regulations |
| Electric guitar without active electronics | doesn't apply | clarify | Pickup description |
| Mains-powered digital piano, synthesizer | certification | certification | Two EAEU certificates |
| Mains-powered guitar combo amp | certification | certification | Two EAEU certificates |
| Effects pedal on a 9 V battery | doesn't apply | clarify | Pedal documents |
| Power supply for pedals and keyboards | certification | certification | Power supply certificates |
| Instrument cable | doesn't apply | doesn't apply | — |
A 9 V pedal is below the lower limit of regulation 004, but it often comes with a mains power supply, and that is covered by the regulation. Cables are explicitly excluded from 020/2011 (annex 1), and 004 doesn't apply to a passive guitar lead without mains voltage. The table is a guide based on the text of the regulations, not a legal opinion: for disputed items, ask a certification body.
Packing: neck, tuning pegs and soundboard
Kaspi may refuse compensation if an item was not packed according to the guide (q2296, updated Nov 5, 2025). The guide requires that the item doesn't move in the box, empty space is filled and the box carries fragile handling labels (How to pack goods for Kaspi Delivery, PDF).
Guitars and dombras break in one place: at the headstock. A soft gig bag won't save it from an impact. The tuning pegs are wrapped in bubble wrap, a cardboard insert goes under the neck so it doesn't touch the wall, and the strings are slightly loosened. Use a rigid guitar box and fill the gaps so the instrument doesn't shift when tilted. A digital piano travels in its factory foam with an outer layer of cardboard: the legs and music stand are removed and packed in a separate bag.
Dimensions are a separate issue. A guitar box longer than a meter doesn't fit every drop-off point. Each point has its own size and weight limits, shown on the map (q3047, updated Jan 22, 2026). If a piano ships in two boxes, body and stand, each needs its own waybill, and when packing the order you put 2 in the «Количество мест» (Number of pieces) field (q3043, updated Aug 22, 2024). More in the article packing goods for Kaspi Delivery.
If the instrument breaks anyway, a claim to Kaspi Delivery is filed within 10 days within the city and 45 across Kazakhstan. Compensation is 10%, 30% or 100% depending on the damage. A crack in the soundboard or a broken neck is the front part and lost appearance, which means the top tier (q2306, updated Nov 25, 2025). At 100%, the instrument must be kept for a month after the payout.
The math: strings, a guitar, a ukulele and a piano
A hypothetical example, not a client's store. We made up the purchase costs and weights and left taxes out. Delivery follows Kaspi's tariffs from Jan 1, 2026 plus 16% VAT (q2288, updated Jun 16, 2026). Below 10,000 ₸ the tariff depends on the order sum; from 10,000 ₸, on weight.
| Item | Price | Commission 12.5% | Purchase cost | Packing | Delivery | What's left |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| String set | 3,500 ₸ | 438 ₸ | 1,800 ₸ | 50 ₸ | 231 ₸ | 981 ₸ |
| Two sets at a discount | 4,990 ₸ | 624 ₸ | 3,600 ₸ | 50 ₸ | 231 ₸ | 485 ₸ |
| Two sets, to another city | 6,900 ₸ | 862 ₸ | 3,600 ₸ | 50 ₸ | 927 ₸ | 1,461 ₸ |
| Ukulele, to another city | 9,900 ₸ | 1,238 ₸ | 5,600 ₸ | 600 ₸ | 927 ₸ | 1,535 ₸ |
| Pricier ukulele, to another city | 10,500 ₸ | 1,312 ₸ | 5,600 ₸ | 600 ₸ | 1,507 ₸ | 1,481 ₸ |
| Acoustic guitar, same city | 45,000 ₸ | 5,625 ₸ | 29,000 ₸ | 1,200 ₸ | 1,275 ₸ | 7,900 ₸ |
| Acoustic guitar, to another city | 45,000 ₸ | 5,625 ₸ | 29,000 ₸ | 1,200 ₸ | 1,507 ₸ | 7,668 ₸ |
| Digital piano 28 kg, same city | 280,000 ₸ | 35,000 ₸ | 205,000 ₸ | 1,500 ₸ | 2,667 ₸ | 35,833 ₸ |
| Digital piano 28 kg, to another city | 280,000 ₸ | 35,000 ₸ | 205,000 ₸ | 1,500 ₸ | 4,175 ₸ | 34,325 ₸ |
Minimum price = (Purchase cost + Delivery + Packing) ÷ (1 − 0.125)
Strings: a bundle discount that works against you
One set at 3,500 ₸ leaves you 981 ₸. You want to raise the average order, and the card gets "two sets for 4,990 ₸". The order grew, but you pocket 485 ₸, half as much. The minimum price for such a bundle is about 4,435 ₸, so there's almost no room. Put the same two sets at 6,900 ₸: the order moves into the 5,000–10,000 ₸ tier, delivery to another city goes up to 927 ₸, but 1,461 ₸ is left. We would calculate a bundle discount from the margin, not from the price tag.
A ukulele at the 10,000 ₸ threshold
While the ukulele costs 9,900 ₸, Kaspi calculates delivery by the sum: 927 ₸ to another city. Raise the price to 10,500 ₸ and the weight tariff kicks in, 1,507 ₸. The price went up by 600 ₸, and you get 54 ₸ less. The minimum price in the first case is about 8,145 ₸, in the second about 8,808 ₸. When competitors in the card crowd around 10,000 ₸, stay just below the threshold. More on thresholds in the article how not to sell at a loss on Kaspi.
Piano: delivery is smaller than it seems
A digital piano to another city costs only 1,508 ₸ more than within the city, half a percent of the price. What you should fear here is a return. The instrument travels back, it has to be repacked and checked to see whether all the keys work. The minimum price for delivery to another city is about 240,771 ₸.
The instrument's product card: what matters to buyers
Kaspi uses the main attributes to link a product to its product card (the single shared listing that all sellers of the item join), and after a month they can't be changed (q3554, updated Feb 23, 2026). For a guitar this is body size and type, for a piano the number of keys, for strings the gauge and material. That's why a 4/4 guitar and a 3/4 guitar live in different cards. Only products of the same brand and category with matching main attributes are merged into one card (q5146, updated Jul 23, 2026).
Buyers often get instruments for children going to music school or as a gift, so the questions are similar: which size for an 8-year-old, is a case included, are spare strings needed, is the guitar tuned. It's better to put the answers in the description. Photos of the headstock, the nut and the model label remove half the chat questions. More on photos in the article product photos for Kaspi.
Returns. Musical instruments are not on the exceptions list of article 30 of the Consumer Protection Law, so a buyer may return a working guitar within 14 days if it hasn't been used and has kept its appearance (Law of the RK No. 274-IV). The return procedure on Kaspi is described in the Kaspi Guide, Kaspi's official help center (q2269, updated Sep 21, 2026). When accepting a return, check the neck, frets and soundboard before confirming it.
Common mistakes when selling musical instruments on Kaspi
- A guitar in a soft bag instead of a box. Kaspi may not compensate a broken neck without proper packing.
- A synthesizer without certificates. Electronic musical instruments are named directly in the lists of 004/2011 and 020/2011.
- A "free" power supply without documents. A 9 V pedal isn't covered by regulation 004, but the mains power supply for it is.
- A string bundle discount below margin. Two sets for 4,990 ₸ bring half as much as one.
- A ukulele priced just above 10,000 ₸. Delivery to another city grows from 927 to 1,507 ₸.
- Size not set as a main attribute. A 3/4 guitar listed in a 4/4 card will almost certainly come back.
- A return accepted without inspection. You won't prove a soundboard crack later.
Checklist: musical instruments on Kaspi
- [ ] Instrument brands checked against the restricted brands list.
- [ ] Digital pianos, synthesizers and combo amps have 004/2011 and 020/2011 certificates.
- [ ] Power supplies included in the kit also have documents.
- [ ] Guitar size, number of keys and string gauge are set as main attributes.
- [ ] Guitars and dombras have rigid boxes and neck inserts.
- [ ] Box length checked against the drop-off point limit.
- [ ] Prices of string bundles and accessories checked around the 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 ₸ thresholds.
- [ ] Minimum price calculated for delivery to another city.
It's best to film the unpacking of a return the same way as the packing of an order. For a 45,000 ₸ instrument, that's five minutes that later settle a dispute.
How to automate musical instrument prices
Popular guitars, ukuleles and strings usually have several stores in the card, and whoever is cheaper by even a hundred tenge wins. The SaleScout Kaspi bot checks prices from 20 seconds, keeps you at the top of the card and never goes below the minimum price you set. For ukuleles or string bundles near the 10,000 ₸ threshold, set the minimum price based on real delivery, so the bot won't move the item into a zone where it earns less. If a competitor raises their price or leaves the card, the bot raises yours too. SaleScout niche analytics shows how many sellers are in a card and which models people search for. You can try the bot free for 7 days, no card needed.
Frequently asked questions about selling musical instruments on Kaspi
Do I need Kaspi's permission to sell musical instruments?
No. In the «Leisure and books» section only books are restricted; instruments and accessories can be listed right away. The exception is brands on the restricted list: for those Kaspi will ask for documents.
What commission does Kaspi charge on guitars and synthesizers?
12.5% including VAT, 10.9% excluding VAT. The rate is the same for a dombra, a violin, a digital piano, a drum kit and even picks and tuners.
Does a digital piano need a certificate?
Yes. Electronic musical instruments are named in the list of products subject to certification under TR CU 004/2011 and TR CU 020/2011. These regulations don't apply to an acoustic guitar or a dombra.
How do I pack a guitar for Kaspi Delivery?
Only in a rigid box. Wrap the tuning pegs in film, put an insert under the neck, loosen the strings slightly, fill the gaps and stick a «Fragile» label on the box. Before shipping, check the box length against the drop-off point.
Can a musical instrument bought on Kaspi be returned?
Yes. Instruments are not among the exceptions of article 30 of the Consumer Protection Law, so the buyer has 14 days if the instrument hasn't been used and has kept its appearance. Inspect the neck and soundboard on return.
Is it profitable to sell strings on Kaspi?
Yes, if you do the math on bundles. One set at 3,500 ₸ leaves 981 ₸, and two at 4,990 ₸ only 485 ₸. Price a bundle so its margin is higher than that of a single set.
How do I calculate the minimum price for an instrument?
Take the purchase cost, delivery and packing, add them up and divide by 0.875. A 45,000 ₸ guitar going to Aktobe: 29,000 + 1,507 + 1,200 = 31,707 ₸; after dividing you get about 36,237 ₸. Below this price you pay for every order out of your own pocket.
Sources
- «Тарифы Магазина на Kaspi.kz 2026» (Kaspi.kz Store tariffs 2026, PDF), section «Досуг, книги → Музыкальные инструменты» (Leisure, books → Musical instruments) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/cdn/content/pay/product/documents/Magazin/Tarify_Magazina_na_Kaspi_kz_2026.pdf (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Kaspi Гид. «Разрешение на продажу ограниченных категорий» (Permission to sell restricted categories) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/goods/limit/q2224 (updated Oct 5, 2026); «Категории и бренды товаров, ограниченных к продаже» (Restricted categories and brands, PDF) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/cdn/content/pay/product/documents/Magazin/Kategorii-i-brendy-tovarov-ogranichennyh-k-prodazhe-v-magazine-na-kaspi-kz.pdf (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Kaspi Гид. «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 Гид. «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. «ТР ТС 004/2011 О безопасности низковольтного оборудования» (TR CU 004/2011 On the safety of low-voltage equipment) — https://eec.eaeunion.org/comission/department/deptexreg/tr/Down_Volt.php; regulation text — https://eec.eaeunion.org/upload/medialibrary/269/TR-TS-Downvolt.pdf (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- EEC. «ТР ТС 020/2011 Электромагнитная совместимость технических средств» (TR CU 020/2011 Electromagnetic compatibility of technical equipment) — https://eec.eaeunion.org/comission/department/deptexreg/tr/EMS.php; regulation text (annexes 1 and 3) — https://eec.eaeunion.org/upload/medialibrary/1ab/TehReg-TS-EMS.pdf (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Kaspi Гид. «Подготовка товара к Kaspi Доставке» (Preparing goods for Kaspi Delivery) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/delivery/shipping/q2296 (updated Nov 5, 2025); «Как упаковать товар для Kaspi Доставки» (How to pack goods for Kaspi Delivery, PDF) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/cdn/content/pay/documents/Kak-upakovat-tovar-dlya-kaspi-dostavki_.pdf.pdf (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Kaspi Гид. «Почему не приняли товары на Kaspi Доставку» (Why goods weren't accepted for Kaspi Delivery) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/delivery/shipping/q3047 (updated Jan 22, 2026); items made of several parts — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/delivery/shipping/q3043 (updated Aug 22, 2024)
- Kaspi Гид. «Повреждение товара при Kaspi Доставке» (Damage to goods in Kaspi Delivery) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/delivery/shipping/q2306 (updated Nov 25, 2025)
- Kaspi Гид. «Тарифы Kaspi Доставки» (Kaspi Delivery tariffs) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/delivery/shipping/q2288 (updated Jun 16, 2026)
- Kaspi Гид. «Основные характеристики товара» (Main product attributes) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/goods/card/q3554 (updated Feb 23, 2026); merging products in one card — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/goods/card/q5146 (updated Jul 23, 2026)
- «Закон РК от 04.05.2010 № 274-IV «О защите прав потребителей»» (Law of the RK No. 274-IV of May 4, 2010 "On consumer protection"), article 30 — https://old.adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/Z100000274_ (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Kaspi Гид. «Сроки возврата товара» (Return periods) — https://guide.kaspi.kz/partner/ru/shop/refund/q2269 (updated Sep 21, 2026)
The sources are in Russian; original titles are given with English translations.
All links checked on Nov 1, 2026.
Bota, analyst
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