AI-powered customs: Uzbekistan’s next step in trade modernization

Uzbekistan is set to enhance its "risk system" with the support of World Bank experts by implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in customs surveillance. This initiative was discussed on February 24 during a presentation on customs modernization and digitization, reviewed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Significant progress has been made to improve regional and international trade relations. Uzbekistan has established preliminary data exchanges with around ten countries, and new customs clearance and data processing centers have been developed. Infrastructure upgrades include the construction of terminals at four major customs posts and equipping more than 20 customs locations with advanced technology. Entrepreneurs now benefit from 35 newly introduced information systems, which have streamlined export processes from nine to three stages.

As a result of these improvements:

• Border vehicle movement increased eightfold, reaching nearly 5 million crossings.
• Budget revenues grew ninefold, surpassing 63 trillion soums last year.
• Cargo clearance time was reduced to three hours for imports and 20 minutes for exports.

“Overall, these reforms have significantly reduced costs and waiting times for nearly 6,000 exporters and 20,000 importers. In the global logistics ranking, Uzbekistan improved from 140th to 74th in customs efficiency. However, further digitalization and acceleration of processes remain necessary,” the report highlights.

Recent reforms in customs territory processing have helped increase export volumes, with over $1 billion worth of goods exported last year. Further simplifications in this system could raise exports to $1.5 billion in 2025.

Additionally, as trade and tourism with neighboring countries expand, the flow of passengers and vehicles at border crossings is expected to double. This growth necessitates developing additional customs infrastructure, enhancing throughput at border checkpoints, implementing an advanced passenger information system for buses and flights to allow for faster border crossings, and introducing red and green lanes at major customs points for quicker vehicle processing.

A key focus is integrating artificial intelligence into customs risk assessment and surveillance. Uzbekistan's "risk system" will be refined with World Bank expertise, incorporating AI-based X-ray image analysis to detect dangerous goods automatically.

This AI-powered system will evaluate entrepreneurial reliability based on 122 criteria, including financial stability and trade history. These innovations aim to improve security, reduce clearance times, and facilitate smoother trade operations.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has approved these modernization initiatives, stressing the need to simplify procedures for businesses and travelers while ensuring rapid, efficient services. Furthermore, Uzbekistan's ongoing efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) require full harmonization of customs legislation with international standards.

To support these reforms, Uzbekistan is also prioritizing enhancing customs capacity, training professionals in AI, digital technologies, and risk analysis, expanding dual education programs and improving practical training in customs operations.

These measures are expected to further modernize Uzbekistan’s customs system, boost trade efficiency, and enhance the country's global trade competitiveness.