The standard procedure for customs clearance of mobile devices imported from abroad has resumed at Tashkent International Airport in Uzbekistan. Temporary restrictions that suspended the clearance process, as well as additional phone checks, have been lifted. Hundreds of devices previously held in customs storage are being returned to their owners.
At a press conference on November 11, the spokesperson for the Customs Committee, Husan Tangriev, announced the resumption of procedures. He specified that negotiations took place between representatives of UZIMEI and the Customs Committee at Tashkent International Airport on the morning of November 11.
As a result of this meeting, it was decided that UZIMEI representatives will maintain a permanent presence at the airport. They will provide practical assistance to customs officers when a more detailed verification of mobile device IMEI identifiers is required.
These measures led to the cancellation of the temporary suspension of clearance and additional phone inspections. The import and customs clearance of mobile devices are now proceeding under normal conditions. Furthermore, the process of returning several hundred mobile devices previously under customs control has begun.
During the press conference, journalists inquired whether the resumption of clearance was a temporary measure aimed at reducing public dissatisfaction and ending discussions on social media. A representative of the Customs Committee categorically denied this, stating: 'No, absolutely not. We inform you that the customs clearance of mobile devices has resumed in the usual manner.'
When asked about the necessity of the UZIMEI system, Husan Tangriev noted that the Customs Committee is an executive body and does not have the authority to evaluate government decisions. He emphasized: 'We do not have the right to express an opinion on whether the UZIMEI system is necessary or not. We are an agency responsible for implementing laws and state directives. Therefore, I believe that assessing the necessity of this system is outside our competence.'
A representative of the UZIMEI center also stressed that the organization is fulfilling its assigned tasks and is not authorized to discuss the merits of the relevant Cabinet of Ministers resolution. He stated: 'We do not have the right to challenge this decision. Moreover, since it is outside our competence, we are not authorized to discuss the decision itself. We have been assigned a task, and we are carrying it out.'
Previously, reports circulated that additional checks were temporarily being introduced at Tashkent International Airport for mobile devices until issues related to the identification of their IMEI numbers and confirmation of legal import were clarified.
Before this, claims spread on social media that passengers' mobile phones arriving from abroad at Tashkent International Airport were temporarily confiscated for expert examination for up to 30 days. Rumors also circulated about the possibility of registering devices within one day without inspection in exchange for an additional fee.
The Customs Committee refuted reports that mobile devices were subject to mandatory storage for 30 days or additional charges. However, it confirmed that the customs clearance of phones had been temporarily suspended while clarifying issues related to IMEI verification and the legality of import.
During the November 11 press conference, agency representatives explained that this decision was prompted by the discovery of new schemes for illegal importation of mobile phones. Specifically, customs officers identified cases where expensive smartphones were declared as cheaper devices. They also found instances of identifier alteration through software reinstallation or reflashing.
According to the Customs Committee data, in some cases, the IMEI code displayed in the phone settings differed from the identifier shown when queried via USSD. The agency explained that specialized expertise is required to confirm the authenticity of IMEI identifiers, verify compliance with specific devices, and study the usage history of phones on mobile networks. This need for additional checks was the reason for ensuring the permanent presence of UZIMEI specialists at the airport.
The Customs Committee reported that officially, 4.1 million mobile devices were imported into Uzbekistan from January to October 2026. This is one million more than in the same period of 2025. Customs revenues from mobile device imports increased by 2.1 times, reaching 2 trillion soms. In the first ten months of 2026, over 452,000 iPhone smartphones were officially imported into the country. Customs payments for these devices amounted to 756.6 billion soms, which is 6.2 times higher than the figures for the corresponding period last year.
