The registration of mobile devices in Uzbekistan is being simplified for individuals and foreign citizens, the press service of the Ministry of Digital Technologies said.

In particular, individuals will now be able to register two mobile devices (phones) brought with them from abroad, without customs duties. Previously, it was only allowed to register one phone.

While, the declaration by individuals of imported phones when crossing the customs border and integration into the UzIMEI system based on declaration.

“This will prevent wrong doing. As a result, individuals will be able to easily register an additional second mobile device they brought with them in the UzIMEI system,” the Ministry of Digital Development noted.

Also, the possibility of using individuals’ personal data by other persons when registering a phone will be eliminated, the Ministry of Digital Development said. Remote (online) biometric identification of a person (Face-ID) is being introduced when registering phones in the UzIMEI system, which should prevent the use of individuals personal information by others, the Ministry of Digital Development noted.

“With this technology, a person registers their mobile devices online using their biometric data. In this case, an individual can register IMEI codes through the official website (uzimei.uz), the Unified Portal of Interactive Government Services (EPIGU) and its mobile version, biometric identification, and also by contacting the system registrars directly. Now this technology makes it possible to register mobile devices with the direct participation of individuals and thereby becomes the basis for protecting their rights and preventing cases of illegal registration,” the ministry said.

The timeline for using mobile devices of foreign citizens coming to Uzbekistan on a business trip or as tourists, without registration, has been increased from 30 calendar days to 60 calendar days.