Uzbekistan has launched a unified QR code system for electronic payments, named UzQR, targeting legal entities in trade and services. The system was mandated by a presidential decree in December 2025.
Starting July 1, all trade and service organizations must accept payments via QR codes; failure to do so will be considered a violation of trade rules. The Central Bank approved the rules for using unified QR codes in April.
Since early June, local banks have begun offering UzQR products to individual entrepreneurs and legal entities. Connection to the system and QR code issuance are free, requiring only a bank visit, account opening, and application submission.
UzQR allows payment acceptance through any banking app or payment service. The QR code can be displayed at the checkout, on the counter, or on a phone screen. The system supports Humo and Uzcard national payment cards.
Banks highlight benefits such as terminal-free payments, customer convenience, reduced costs for managing multiple QR codes and payment solutions, 24-hour fund settlement, and simplified payment monitoring.
However, the system involves commissions. According to Spot, the customer pays a 1% fee, while the merchant pays 0.65% per transaction, totaling at least 1.65%. A newspaper reader reported encountering the commission when paying via QR code.
From the merchant's 0.65% commission, the acquiring bank retains 0.1%, and 0.55% goes to MUNIS. MUNIS takes 0.2%, while Uzcard and Humo together receive 0.15%. The payer bank's share depends on the payment initiation method.
The 1% customer commission remains controversial. The Central Bank explained that this intermediary fee may be set by the payment services. Authorities are currently considering abolishing this fee.
The operator of the unified QR system is MUNIS, the Central Bank's interbank retail payment system. Tariff information must be published on the operator's website within three business days of approval.
Before UzQR, Paynet had already introduced a similar QR payment service. Financial expert Otabek Bakirov noted that given the commission structure, UzQR may be less beneficial for businesses and customers compared to cash, bank cards, or terminals.
Source: www.gazeta.uz