Uzbekistan has scrapped a number of customs requirements starting September 1, 2026, as part of an effort to create a more business-friendly environment for businesses.
Under the decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on August 27, the following requirements have been eliminated:
- restriction requiring advance payment to a foreign partner when importing goods based on an invoice, without a formal foreign trade contract;
- requirement to secure 50% of proceeds in advance when exporting goods based on an invoice, without a formal foreign trade contract;
- requirement to secure advance payment or provide guarantee instruments — such as a letter of credit, bank guarantee, or insurance policy — when exporting goods in national currency;
- requirement to obtain a sanitary-epidemiological certificate for food products when the available product sample is insufficient for testing, provided the relevant authority issues a letter confirming that the quantity available is inadequate for testing purposes.
The decree also eliminates the requirement to obtain import permits for biologically active substances, new chemical compounds, food additives, polymers, and perfume and cosmetic products during customs clearance, as well as the requirement to present state registration certificates for medicines and medical equipment. Compliance with these categories will instead be verified during mandatory conformity assessments and when sanitary-epidemiological certificates are issued.
Under the roadmap approved alongside the decree, further changes are to be deployed by November 2027, including:
Legislation allowing customs authorities to close first-time administrative violation cases — such as failure to declare goods — once the calculated customs payments have been voluntarily paid, and to return the goods in question to the business involved;
Legislation banning commercial banks from charging interest when businesses pay customs duties.
In addition, by July 2027, the Customs Committee is to develop a "Feedback" module on its information systems and official website, allowing businesses to evaluate customs authorities' performance and procedures. Ratings for customs departments, checkpoints and individual staff will be compiled based on feedback submitted by businesses.
The reforms also call for establishing ongoing consultations involving businesses, industry associations and business representatives, ensuring institutional dialogue through relevant trade and business groups, and broadly engaging the business community in discussions of the reforms as they are implemented. A "Customs Open Dialogue" platform will be set up for businesses, along with monthly open forums.
As reported earlier, under the decree, customs clearance times in Uzbekistan will be cut to two hours for imports and 30 minutes for exports. The limit on cash currency that can be taken out of the country will be set at $10,000, and the single customs payment rate for individuals will be reduced.
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