Uzbekistan abandons mandatory payment of environmental compensation for old cars

The procedure for returning vehicles that were in impound lots is changing in Uzbekistan. Instead of traditional paper permits, owners will now be provided with an electronic QR code. Additionally, information about the storage of these vehicles will begin to be automatically transmitted to tax authorities.

Digitalization of the Return Process

According to the Cabinet of Ministers' decision, obtaining a vehicle will require issuing a permit through the special information system 'Zharima maydonchasi'. This permit will be accompanied by a QR code generated by the bodies responsible for reviewing administrative offenses, as well as enforcement agencies. Without this digital confirmation, issuing the vehicle will become impossible.

Data Integration with Tax Authorities

In parallel, data on all vehicles held at impound lots will begin to flow automatically to tax authorities. This system will record details such as the vehicle's license plate number, the time of arrival and release, and the amount paid for storage.

Implementation Timeline and Requirements for Lots

Within two months, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Digital Technologies, and the Tax Committee are obliged to complete the integration of the 'Zharima maydonchasi' system with the tax authorities' databases. Impound lots must also comply with new standards: they will be equipped with video surveillance cameras and automatic license plate recognition systems, and all accounting and charges will transition to electronic format. Any violation of these new requirements or illegal parking of vehicles at the lot will be considered an offense.

The new rules will come into force in October of this year. It should be noted that the same Cabinet resolution plans the launch of a test version of the unified E-bozor market digital platform before October 1st, which will also integrate processes related to the functioning of impound lots.

The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, approved a decree on July 7 aimed at supporting road carriers. According to information provided by the Ministry of Transport to the publication 'Gazeta', certain types of cargo transport will be allowed into the country without the need to pay customs duties and recycling fees until the end of 2027.

Conditions for granting benefits

This benefit applies to tractor units intended for cargo transportation that were manufactured no more than five years ago and comply with the 'Euro-5' environmental standard or higher (according to HS codes 8701 21, 8701 22, 8701 23, 8701 24). Vehicles running on gas are excluded. Additionally, semi-trailers with a total mass exceeding 15 tons or an internal body volume of at least 76 cubic meters (HS code 8716 39) are exempt from duties and recycling fees.

Goals and limitations of the measures

The official document emphasizes that this measure is designed to promote the renewal of the cargo vehicle fleet, increase the competitiveness of local carriers, and reduce transportation costs both for imports and exports, which in turn will shorten delivery times. However, the benefit is canceled if the imported vehicle is re-equipped or exported within three years after customs clearance in a way that changes its HS code; in such a case, duties and recycling fees must be paid. An exception to this rule is re-equipment solely related to changing the type of fuel.

Certification and investments

The decree also decided on a temporary waiver of mandatory certification upon importing specified cargo vehicles if they meet European standards. The interdepartmental commission for World Trade Organization affairs has been instructed to decide on exempting such vehicles from mandatory certification within ten days. Previously, during a meeting on July 1, the president mentioned plans to reduce customs duties and simplify certification requirements to attract private investment in the transport and logistics sector, including warehouse equipment and loading/unloading machinery. It should be noted that earlier, in February 2025, at a presidential meeting, it was stated that the exemption for trucks meeting 'Euro-5' and higher standards from paying duties and recycling fees would be extended for another three years.