Uzbekistan will simplify customs administration and introduce expedited cargo release.

Starting in 2027, Uzbekistan will implement a simplified customs administration system, including expedited cargo release and a unified payment rate. These innovations are enshrined in a presidential decree.

According to the decree, a uniform customs duty rate of 20% of the value of goods, but no less than $2 per kilogram, will be established starting January 1, 2027. Additional measures to facilitate conditions for entrepreneurs will come into force on June 1 of the same year.

In particular, minor discrepancies in certificates of origin that do not affect the nature of goods will no longer be grounds for refusal. Environmental certificates for export will no longer be mandatory, and transit declarations can be submitted before the vehicle arrives at the border crossing.

Furthermore, the preliminary customs declaration will serve as an application for permits. For low-risk goods, certificates will be issued in advance, eliminating the need to re-enter data into the final declaration and ensuring expedited cargo release.

Previously, it was reported that the powers of Uzbekistan's customs authorities had been expanded. Customs officers have now received official permission to use unmanned aerial vehicles to combat smuggling and detect violations.