Uzbekistan will implement a new mechanism for marketplaces through a system of bonded warehouses on an experimental basis from 2026 to 2028, allowing customs duties to be paid only when goods are actually sold to consumers. This measure, presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aims to attract at least $500 million in investment and increase the share of e-commerce in the country’s retail turnover to 11 %.

The need for reforms is driven by rapid sector growth: over the past eight years, e-commerce volume in the republic has increased 20-fold, reaching $1.3 billion. To date, this sector has created 750,000 high-income jobs for self-employed individuals, and the budget receives about 200 billion soums in annual tax revenues. However, the current share of e-commerce in Uzbekistan’s retail is only 4.6 %, five times lower than the global average.

Industry development is hampered by a severe infrastructure deficit. Of the existing 634,000 square meters of warehouse space, only 34 % meet modern “Class A” standards, with most capacity concentrated in the capital region. According to expert estimates, the country will need an additional 2.5 million square meters of modern warehouses over the next five years to ensure sustainable growth, requiring active involvement of major international marketplaces.

The new operational model, based on the cycle “import – bonded warehouse – trading platform – consumer,” involves deep integration of digital systems with tax and customs databases. This infrastructure is expected to not only simplify imports but also serve as a driver for domestic producers, enabling them to reduce logistics costs and enhance the competitiveness of Uzbek exports in foreign markets. Following the presentation, the head of state instructed responsible officials to create a maximally transparent environment for digital platform activities.

Source: podrobno.uz