“Yuksalish”: Customs Duties Should Not Become a Tool for Market Monopolization

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The public movement “Yuksalish” has issued a statement regarding the current regulations on duty-free import of goods for personal use, emphasizing that customs and tariff policies should not be used as instruments to raise market prices or strengthen monopolies.

Since 1 May 2025, Uzbekistan has set new duty-free limits: US$1,000 for air travel, US$500 for entry by rail, US$300 for crossing the border by road, US$200 for international courier deliveries, and US$100 for postal shipments.

“Yuksalish” stresses that these rules have increased the financial burden on citizens and negatively affected market competition. According to the movement, the current duties effectively create advantages for large importers and official distributors, while ordinary consumers are forced to overpay for goods.

Experts note that high rates—up to 30%—lead to price increases, reduced product variety, lower quality, and weakening of small businesses. In response, the movement proposes enshrining limits and rates solely at the legislative level, clearly distinguishing between personal and commercial imports, and applying progressive rather than uniform 30% tariffs.

Additionally, “Yuksalish” suggests easing regulations for goods with insufficient domestic competition and simplifying the registration of mobile devices through the UzIMEI system, making the procedure free when importing one or two personal gadgets.

According to the movement, high duties on goods for personal use restrict citizens’ property rights and contradict the principles of economic freedom. Customs policy, they emphasize, should focus not on creating additional barriers but on protecting consumer rights and fostering a fair competitive environment.