Customs officers at Tashkent International Airport have successfully uncovered and thwarted multiple attempts to illegally import a substantial batch of high-end mobile devices. During routine security and customs inspections of passengers arriving on international flights, personnel from the 'Tashkent-AERO' customs post discovered 28 undeclared smartphones hidden within passenger luggage, with a total estimated value exceeding 432 million soms.
Key Takeaways: Customs authorities at Tashkent airport seized 28 undeclared smartphones valued at over 432 million soms. The illicit cargo included multiple flagship devices brought in violation of duty-free allowances.
According to official reports, the intercepted shipment included nine advanced iPhone 18 Pro Max devices, five units of the iPhone 17, alongside several other modern smartphones from major global brands such as Apple and Samsung. None of the confiscated electronics had been declared to customs, and the total volume vastly exceeded the legal duty-free import thresholds established for individual travelers under national legislation.
Customs inspectors noted a recurring suspicious pattern wherein several passengers were attempting to smuggle devices that did not belong to them, having accepted the items from third parties solely for delivery purposes. Officials emphasize that acting as an unregistered courier for commercial-scale electronics violates established commercial and regulatory norms, triggering mandatory administrative investigations.
The preliminary market value of the confiscated technical equipment is calculated at 432.85 million soms, and comprehensive inspections are currently underway regarding these incidents. This interception follows a similar recent case where three travelers arriving from Dubai attempted to smuggle 14 new iPhones worth 227 million soms into the capital, highlighting an ongoing enforcement challenge for local customs authorities.
Source: podrobno.uz