Photo: yuz.uz
Starting from May 1, 2025, Uzbekistan will allow duty-free imports of goods via air transport with a value of up to $1,000, which is half the current threshold. The change was reported by UzNews.uz, citing the relevant government decree.
The amendments also affect other types of transportation and shipments. Currently, goods worth up to $1,000 can be imported duty-free by rail and water transport, but starting in May, customs will only allow goods worth up to $500 without duties.
For international courier shipments, the duty-free import limit will be set at $200 per month, down from the previous quarterly limit of $1,000.
The regulations for imports through automobile or pedestrian border crossings and international postal shipments remain unchanged: $300 and $100, respectively.
The Uzbekistan Customs Committee commented on the changes, explaining their reasons. They noted that the government's decision was influenced by global market conditions, such as a decline in international trade and rising inflation.
Additionally, the reduction in the duty-free threshold aims to support local producers and ensure fair competition within the country. The committee pointed out that current duty-free import norms in Uzbekistan are significantly higher than those in other countries. For example, in the European Union, the limit is $480 for air shipments, $330 for crossing the border by car or on foot. In Turkey, regardless of the mode of import, the threshold is $480, and in China, it is $722.
Customs officials also revealed that many individuals have exploited this situation to bring goods intended for resale into the country. Some have been engaged in «shuttle trading,» bringing in goods that do not belong to them.
«Some individuals cross the border up to 100 times a month, importing commercial goods under the guise of personal use. This results in large batches of goods being brought in small quantities without customs duties and entering the domestic market... For example, at Tashkent Airport, over 500 such passengers import up to 2–3 tons of goods per year each. The question arises: are these really goods for personal use?» said the Customs Committee.
Officials reminded that for illegal imports of goods under the guise of personal luggage, administrative and criminal liability is prescribed. Last year, almost 600 people repeatedly violated such regulations. Additionally, more than 1,100 passengers crossing through the «green corridor» had goods intended for sale. The total value of these goods was about 21 billion soums ($1.6 million).
The committee also commented on the reduction in the duty-free threshold for courier shipments. It was again emphasized that the $1,000 quarterly limit in Uzbekistan is significantly higher than in other countries, and there is no value-added tax (VAT) applied in these cases in the country.
«Cases have been identified where goods declared as 'not for sale' were actually imported for commercial purposes. In 2023–2024, there were 1,100 violations amounting to 8.3 billion soums ($639,000). For example, one person received 408 shipments in a year, and another received 381, indicating systemic import of goods not for personal use,» the Customs service stated.
In 2024, over 22,300 tons of goods worth $167 million were imported into the country. In some cases, parcels were sent in the name of deceased individuals or people who were unaware of shipments being made under their name.
“These changes are aimed solely at the benefit of our society: they will contribute to increasing revenues by developing legal entrepreneurship, ensure sustainable economic growth, free activity of entrepreneurs, the creation of new jobs, the construction of kindergartens, schools, medical facilities, infrastructure development, and ultimately improve the standard of living of our population,” the Customs Committee concluded.
