What will change in Uzbekistan starting May 1?
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26 April 46454 7 minutes
Starting from May 1, 2025, a number of legislative changes will come into effect in Uzbekistan. QALAMPIR.UZ has compiled a list of some of the key updates.
New restrictions on duty-free imports
According to the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers "On Measures to Further Improve the Procedure for the Movement of Certain Types of Goods Across the Customs Border," adopted on April 19, the duty-free import norms for goods brought into Uzbekistan by individuals for personal non-commercial use will be established as follows:
- By air transport – $1,000 (previously $2,000);
- By rail and river transport – $500 (previously $1,000);
- Through automobile (pedestrian) checkpoints – $300;
- Via international courier shipments – $200 ($1,000 per quarter);
- By international postal shipments – $100 (unchanged).
Moreover, if a person stays in a foreign country for less than 2 days when traveling by rail, river, or automobile transport, or less than 3 days when traveling by air, the duty-free import norms will not apply. In such cases, the goods will be considered as exceeding the duty-free limit, and a single customs payment will be levied on the full value of the goods.
Direct sale of bank-owned assets permitted
According to the Presidential Decree "On Measures to Accelerate the Sale of Assets Taken to Banks' Balance Sheets Due to Indebtedness," signed on April 15, 2025, banks with a state share of 50 percent or more in their authorized capital, and their affiliated investment companies, are permitted to directly sell assets acquired in exchange for debt repayment. Sales may occur at market value, including through credit agreements, installment plans, leasing contracts, or other legally permissible transactions, without the requirement of an auction.
Additionally, in cases of debt repayment, commercial banks will have the right to resume suspended production or service activities through their investment companies based on buildings, technological equipment, and other assets on their balance sheets, and sell them to potential investors as ready-made businesses.
New benefits for entrepreneurs
According to the Presidential Decree "On Measures to Stimulate Production, Export and Entrepreneurial Activity, and Increase the Effectiveness of Trade and Industrial Policy," adopted on April 18, 2025, measures will be introduced to foster a competitive environment in Uzbekistan's domestic market and provide tax benefits to certain entrepreneurs.
From May 1, 2025:
- The procedure for registering declarations of conformity through certification bodies will be abolished. Instead, the formation and registration of these declarations will be conducted via the Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS).
- The Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health will take over the functions of the authorized body for food safety control. Consequently, from August 1, 2025, mandatory technical regulations and standards for food products will be canceled, and sanitary rules, norms, and hygiene standards developed by the Committee will come into effect after coordination with relevant ministries and agencies.
Until the end of 2025, mandatory compliance with the following procedures will be suspended:
- Certification of domestic and imported food products through obtaining a sanitary and epidemiological conclusion based on the results of laboratory testing by sanitary and epidemiological services;
- Coordination and approval with the Ministry of Health of all technical documentation for various types of food products, including baby food, dietary foods for therapeutic and preventive nutrition, food supplements, biologically active supplements, and food products developed with new recipes or technologies;
- Obtaining veterinary certificates for plant products, fabrics, silk, leather, toys, sports equipment, and similar goods.
Use of phonograms to be restricted at state concerts
In accordance with the government resolution “On Additional Measures to Further Encourage Live Performance in Concert and Entertainment Activities” adopted on April 8, 2025, starting from May 1 of this year:
- The use of phonograms will be gradually restricted at all concert and entertainment events financed from the state budget and extra-budgetary funds;
- Advertisements for concert and entertainment events must clearly indicate “Live performance”, “Live voice using phonograms”, or “Concert program with phonograms”, respectively;
- When recommending artists for the state awards “People's Artist of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, “Honored Artist of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, and “People's Commissar of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, the Ministry of Culture will primarily take into account their ability to perform live.
Low-income families to be compensated for electricity and gas
According to the Presidential Decree “On Additional Measures of State Support for the Needy Population in the Implementation of Market Mechanisms in the Fuel and Energy Sector”, adopted on April 2 of this year, from May 1, 2025, to April 1, 2027, families receiving child benefits and material assistance through the “Unified Register of Social Protection” information system, as well as families not included in the registers but meeting the criteria for low-income families due to their financial situation, whose per capita income does not exceed 1.5 times the minimum consumption expenses, will be provided with:
- For electricity consumption — up to 150 kWh per month at the base rate;
- For natural gas consumption — during the heating season up to 250 cubic meters per month at the base norm, and during other periods up to 150 cubic meters per month at the base norm. The difference between the prices within the base norm and above the base norm will be compensated.
Additionally, during the heating season, one-time assistance in the amount of 1 million sums will be provided to needy families. To further support the needy population during the 2025/2026 heating season, one-time financial assistance of 1 million sums will be allocated in November of this year to:
- Families included in the registers;
- Families not included in the registers but identified as in need based on the conclusion of the "neighborhood seven".
When forming the additional list by the "neighborhood seven", priority will be given to families that have lost their breadwinner, families with members who are persons with disabilities of Group I or II, families caring for children with disabilities, families with members suffering from long-term illnesses, elderly individuals and people with disabilities living alone, families living in overcrowded housing (three or more families per house), and residents of multi-storey buildings without gas supply and centralized heating.
The number of families on the additionally formed list must not exceed 40 percent of the number of families included in the registers.
Products allowed to be marked with the “Halal” mark
In accordance with the resolution “On Approval of the Regulation on the Procedure for Certification of Products and Services in Accordance with the Requirements of the ‘Halal’ Institute” adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers on February 1 of this year, starting from May 1, products and services certified in accordance with the requirements of the Standards and Metrology Institute of Islamic Countries will be allowed to be marked with the “Halal” mark.
The following proposals by the Agency for Technical Regulation of Uzbekistan under the Cabinet of Ministers and the Committee for Religious Affairs on regulating the certification of products and services in accordance with “Halal” requirements were approved:
- Organization of certification bodies for products and services in accordance with “Halal” requirements;
- Granting priority to the standards adopted by the Standards and Metrology Institute of Islamic Countries (SMIIC) and officially recognized at the international level when certifying products and services according to “Halal” requirements;
- From May 1, 2025, products and services certified under this resolution and the requirements of the Standards and Metrology Institute of Islamic Countries will be allowed to bear the "Halal" label.
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