7. Importation Requirements

General Foods
Uzbekistan

This section provides information on the importation process (shipment, customs, licenses required, and test requirements). 

Companies or individuals are allowed to conduct trade with foreign enterprises directly or through foreign trade agents.

Food products imported into the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan must comply with the requirements of the norms and rules specified in this Law.

For state registration, the supplier of imported food products submits documents from the manufacturer and a specially authorized body of the exporting country confirming the safety of these products, and, if appropriate examination is necessary, samples of food products.

7.1 Shipment Declaration

See Section 7.2 - Customs Procedure - below.

7.2 Customs Procedure

An importer must prepare and provide the following documents [1]: 

1. Import customs declaration 
2. The contract signed by the importer (a resident of Uzbekistan) and a non-resident supplier of goods (e.g. the manufacturer)
3. Shipping documents, including invoices and transportation paperwork 
4. Certificate of origin of goods, in the following cases: 
   1. when imported goods are originated from countries which are parties to bilateral or multilateral agreements on tariff preferences; 
   2. when the goods originate from the country, import from which is subject to quantitative restrictions (quotas) or other measures of regulating the foreign economic activity;
   3. when the documents, presented for customs processing, do not contain information concerning the origin of the goods or the customs authorities have grounds to believe that the information provided is unreliable; 
   4. if the provision of the certificate is prescribed by domestic legislation or international agreements of Uzbekistan. 
5. Phyto-sanitary and veterinary certificates (as applicable) 
6. Certificates of conformity (as applicable) 
7. License (as applicable)

Note: Customs clearance is a complicated process in Uzbekistan and even capital equipment imports are subject to substantial processing delays. To minimize the effect of these problems, many firms contract for pre-shipment inspections (PSI).

The “Single Window” digital information system allows to cut registration of cargo customs declarations from three days to one. Importers are required to present information in advance and confirm the issuance of all applicable certificates in the Single Window system.

In accordance with the Regulations on the procedure for monitoring and controlling the implementation of foreign trade operations, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated May 14, 2020 No. 283, importers are required to register their trade contracts through the Unified Portal of Interactive Public Services in the Unified Information System of Foreign Trade Operations information in electronic form using an electronic digital signature. [2]

More information at: https://www.customs.uz/en 

7.3 Manufacturing License

Not required for importation.

7.4 Test for Importation

All food products imported into Uzbekistan must be registered and tested for safety and compliance with all applicable requirements. These products must also undergo compulsory certification if included in the list of products for which certification is compulsory [3,4].

7.5 Other Notes or Requirements for Importation

N/A

7.6 Overview Flowchart for Importation Process

N/A

7.7 References

1. Website of the Uzbek’s customs – Webpage “Import of goods by business entities”

https://www.customs.uz/en/page/hozhalik-yurituvchi-subektlar-tomonidan-tovarlarni-import-qilish

2. Regulations on the procedure for monitoring and controlling the implementation of foreign trade operations, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated May 14, 2020 No. 283

https://lex.uz/docs/4812424

3. Decree No. 43 of 30 January 2021 on the List of Products Subject to Mandatory Conformity Assessment in Uzbekistan

https://lex.uz/docs/5249380

4. Law of Uzbekistan No. 483-I of 30 August 1997 on Food Safety

https://lex.uz/ru/docs/18673?query=пищевых%20добавок#sr-1