Russia is imposing retaliatory duties - as much as double - on a number of products from Kazakhstan, including bearings.

The duties are in response to Kazakh restrictions put on key Russian imports, which also include bearings. Kazakhstan began the trade restrictions in 1999, acting to control what it claims are unfairly low-priced products from Russia and several other countries. Kazakh authorities said the products were being dumped into their country and damaging domestic industries.

Russian authorities claim the import restrictions were applied by Kazakhstan without proof and without investigation.

Russia's Department of Economic Development and Trade said the special duties will apply to bearings, tobacco, metals, and up to 20 other industrial products it has identified as particularly important to Kazakhstan.