Unified QR code mandatory from 1 July for Uzbek businesses

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Starting from 1 July 2026, a mandatory requirement for the use of a unified QR code comes into force in Uzbekistan for legal entities operating in the retail and service sectors. The absence of this tool will be treated as a violation of trade rules.

The introduction of the unified QR code represents the next stage in the digitalization of the country's payment infrastructure. It aims to simplify cashless payments, increase the transparency of financial transactions, and create uniform conditions for all market participants.

Why the need for a unified QR code arose

Several types of QR codes are currently used in Uzbekistan to accept payments, each having its own specific features and limitations.

The most common type is the static QR code. To use it, an entrepreneur concludes a separate contract with a payment system, which assigns a specific Product and Service Identification Code (IKPU) to the QR code. As a result, all payments are automatically linked to only one type of product or service.

This mechanism significantly limits business capabilities. A static QR code cannot be used to sell goods and services with different IKPUs, nor can it be used for products subject to mandatory digital tracking and labeling. Furthermore, this system is effectively designed for selling a single unit of a product or providing a single service per transaction. Experts note that static QR codes are convenient only for a narrow list of services with fixed costs, such as paying for parking or public services.

Another tool is the dynamic QR code, which is generated by cash register equipment or the mobile application of a payment system. This mechanism allows for the correct accounting of labeled products and meets modern fiscal requirements. However, its main drawback remains its dependence on a specific payment system. A buyer can only pay for a purchase through the system with which the seller's equipment is integrated, creating additional inconveniences for both businesses and consumers.

Separately, the Paynet Xolis system operates for individual entrepreneurs and self-employed persons working under a special tax regime. It ensures the automatic fiscal recording of payments but also has limitations and cannot be used to sell certain categories of goods, including products subject to mandatory digital labeling.

Tasks addressed by the new system

The unified QR code, implemented in accordance with Presidential Decree No. UP-246 dated 10 December 2025, is intended to eliminate the existing limitations of current payment instruments.

The main advantage of the new system will be its versatility. A buyer will be able to pay for goods and services through any bank or payment application that supports the unified standard for QR payments. This will remove the need to integrate with multiple separate payment services and will simplify the payment acceptance process for businesses.

Additionally, the unified QR code is expected to ensure more convenient operations with cash register equipment, improve the quality of fiscal recording for transactions, and create conditions for the further development of the digital economy.

What entrepreneurs need to consider

Experts recommend that business entities verify the readiness of their cash register equipment and software to work with the new standard ahead of time. They should also check with their servicing banks and payment system operators regarding the procedure for connecting to the unified QR code.

Special attention should be paid by retail and service enterprises, as the use of the unified QR code becomes a mandatory legal requirement specifically for them.

Digitalization of payments as part of economic reform

In recent years, Uzbekistan has demonstrated steady growth in the share of cashless transactions. The population is increasingly using mobile applications of banks and payment systems, and QR payments are becoming one of the most popular payment methods.

Under these conditions, the introduction of the unified QR code is viewed not only as a technological innovation but also as an important step toward creating a modern national payment infrastructure. This infrastructure is expected to provide convenience for consumers, reduce administrative costs for businesses, and increase the transparency of financial transactions.

According to specialist estimates, the successful implementation of the unified QR code will help form a universal payment acceptance system that unites the interests of banks, payment services, entrepreneurs, and consumers within a single digital space.