Country profile
Uzbekistan
UZ · UZBAs of: 7/1/2026Double landlocked state / Transit hub Central Asia
Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia with no seaport, handling foreign trade by road, rail, air freight and pipeline. Key hubs are Tashkent and the Navoi cargo hub. Trade toward Europe increasingly uses the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor, while established rail and road links serve China and Russia. Import VAT is 12 percent and customs duties range from 5 to 70 percent depending on the goods. Uzbekistan belongs to the CIS free trade zone, is an EAEU observer and a beneficiary of the EU GSP-Plus scheme.
Overview
Uzbekistan (ISO code: UZ) lies in Central Asia and borders Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. It is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world. Politically it is a presidential republic with a centralized government. The climate is continental and dry, with hot summers, cold winters and low rainfall. The economy rests on agriculture, mining, energy, textiles and chemicals, with cotton, gold, natural gas and copper among the main exports, while the country relies heavily on imports of machinery, vehicles, energy and consumer goods. Logistically Uzbekistan has a well-developed road and rail network and international airports, and is expanding its transit capacity to position itself as a Central Asian hub via the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor. The national currency is the Uzbekistani sum (UZS).
Mentioned countries
Glossary terms
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
State Customs Committee of the Republic of UzbekistanImport system
Electronic import declaration via the Unified Customs Single Window and ASYCUDA World of the State Customs Committee; customs value based on CIF.
Export system
Electronic export declaration via ASYCUDA World / Single Window; exports are generally VAT-exempt (zero rate).
Import VAT
- Import VAT 12 percent since 2023 (previously 15 percent)
- assessment based on customs value plus import duty plus excise. Import duties 5 to 70 percent depending on goods.
Import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Consignment note (CMR / air waybill / SMGS rail waybill)
- Certificate of origin
- Electronic customs declaration
- Import licence, if applicable
Export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin (CT-1 in CIS trade)
- Electronic export declaration
- Export licence, if applicable
Origin proofs / FTA
CIS Free Trade Zone (certificate of origin CT-1); EU market access via APS-Plus (GSP+, REX/Form A); EAEU observer. No free trade agreement with Switzerland/EFTA.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Licence/permit requirement for, among others, weapons, precious metals, radioactive substances, medicines, certain chemicals and agricultural goods; currency control.
Export controls & sanctions
No comprehensive international sanctions against Uzbekistan; heightened due diligence due to possible circumvention of Russia sanctions in transit (dual-use).
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Asia) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Asia. Product requirements, certificates, and clearance processes can vary significantly by destination.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification
- Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
- Depending on goods: certificates/compliance documents
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Common pitfalls
- Vague description or missing HS codes → delays and clarifications
- Incoterms unclear: who clears customs/pays charges?
- Incomplete origin data → preferential treatment may not apply
- Inconsistent documents (invoice vs packing list vs shipment data)
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Cargo airports
- Tashkent International (TAS)
- Navoi International (NVI)
- Samarkand (SKD)
- Bukhara (BHK)
- Termez (TMJ)
Inland ports & terminals
- Termez (river port on the Amu Darya, gateway to Afghanistan)
Road corridors & border crossings
- CAREC Corridor 2
- CAREC Corridor 3
- CAREC Corridor 6
- M39 Tashkent-Termez
Rail corridors
- Ozbekiston Temir Yollari (Uzbek Railways)
- Middle Corridor / Trans-Caspian Corridor (CAREC 2)
- China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway (under construction)
- North-South Corridor via Termez to Afghanistan
Top trade lanes
- China-Uzbekistan
- Russia-Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistan-EU via Trans-Caspian Corridor
- Uzbekistan-Turkey
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Double landlocked state without sea access; high dependence on transit and border crossings of neighbours. Sea access only via Trans-Caspian Corridor, Iran or Black Sea ports.
Seasonal & weather risks
Continental dry climate with hot summers and cold winters; mountain passes temporarily hampered in winter; dust storms possible in spring.
Current logistics notes
Expansion into a transit hub: cargo terminals in Navoi and Tashkent under expansion, China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway under construction, connection to the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor.
As of: 2026-07-01
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Airports in this country
Latest News
No news for this country yet.
View all news →Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
- customs.uz
- soliq.uz
- stat.uz
- lex.uz
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
Does Uzbekistan have a seaport?
No. Uzbekistan is one of only two double landlocked countries in the world and has no sea access. Sea freight runs via the Trans-Caspian Corridor (ports in Georgia/Azerbaijan), via Iran (Bandar Abbas) or via Chinese ports.
What is the import VAT rate in Uzbekistan?
Import VAT has been 12 percent since 2023 (previously 15 percent). The tax base is the customs value plus import duty and, where applicable, excise duty.
What are the import duty rates?
Import duties range from 5 to 70 percent depending on the type of goods. The Uzbek customs tariff is decisive; in addition, customs processing fees apply.
Which customs authority is responsible and how is declaration made?
The State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan (customs.uz) is responsible. Imports and exports are declared electronically via ASYCUDA World and the Unified Customs Single Window.
Do Uzbek goods benefit from trade preferences?
Uzbekistan is a beneficiary of the EU preference scheme APS-Plus (GSP+), so many Uzbek goods enter the EU with preferential duty. Within the CIS, duty-free treatment applies with certificate of origin CT-1.
How do shipments from Europe reach Uzbekistan fastest?
For time-critical cargo, air freight via Tashkent or the Navoi cargo hub is suitable. For standard cargo, the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor is gaining importance; the classic rail route runs via Russia and Kazakhstan.
Are there sanctions related to Uzbekistan?
No comprehensive international sanctions apply against Uzbekistan itself. However, due to its proximity to Russia, heightened due diligence is required for dual-use goods to avoid circumvention of Russia sanctions.
Which documents are required for imports?
Typical documents are commercial invoice, packing list, consignment note (CMR, air waybill or SMGS rail waybill), certificate of origin and the electronic customs declaration; for certain goods, import licences are also required.
Which trade partners are important for Uzbekistan?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Uzbekistan?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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