In December 2025, a presidential decree was signed to introduce a unified QR-code payment framework. Under the decree, the rollout of unified QR codes began on January 1 for all legal entities operating in the retail and service sectors, and their use will become mandatory starting July 1 [of this year, 2026].
This means business entities are legally required to provide clients with the option to pay via the unified QR code, alongside traditional cash and POS terminal methods. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in legal liability.
The defining feature of the UzQR system is its interoperability: consumers can scan a single QR code using any bank or payment provider app to complete a transaction. Consequently, merchants are relieved from the hassle of managing multiple distinct QR codes and separate payment systems.
Transaction Fees Set at 0.65%
According to the Central Bank, merchants will be charged a flat transaction fee of 0.65% for UzQR payments. This fee is distributed among network participants as follows:
- Acquiring Bank (the bank providing the QR code to the merchant): 0.10%
- Uzcard: 0.075%
- Humo: 0.05%
- QR Code Operator (for continuous system maintenance): 0.20%
- Payment Initiator (the mobile app scanning the QR code): 0.15%
- Paying Bank (the bank executing the transfer within the system): 0.05%
"To objectively assess UzQR’s 0.65% standard tariff, it is helpful to contrast it with existing market rates. Currently, merchants in the retail and service sectors face processing fees ranging from 1% to 3% for QR-code payments," the Central Bank noted.
The regulator emphasized that the system's official fee architecture does not impose any commissions on the payer (consumer). The entire cost burden is borne exclusively by the merchant through the 0.05% to 0.20% tier allocations listed above, totaling 0.65%.
"At present, instances have been observed where certain payment service providers are independently tacking on extra surcharges for consumers. These fees are not part of the official system tariff; they are added at the sole discretion and initiative of the participating providers," the Central Bank explained.
The regulator stated that it is actively working to resolve and eliminate these unauthorized consumer surcharges.
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