At a press conference held on 11 November, Farhod Olimjonov, head of a department at Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee, explained why the IMEI system is needed and what goals it serves. According to him, IMEI is a system designed to ensure the safe and lawful use of mobile phones and is used in most countries. The same event heard that customs clearance for new mobile devices has been restored at Tashkent International Airport, UZIMEI staff have begun permanent work there, and hundreds of previously held devices are being returned to their owners.
Key Takeaways: The main goals of IMEI are to identify devices, block stolen and lost phones, protect consumers and help investigate fraud schemes. Customs clearance for mobile devices has resumed at Tashkent airport, with hundreds of held devices being returned to owners. Ahead of Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO, customs duty on mobile devices was announced to be reduced to zero.
IMEI is a unique identification number for each mobile device, allowing operators and regulators to identify a handset on the network. According to officials, such systems are used in many countries and play an important role in blocking stolen or illegally imported phones. In Uzbekistan, IMEI registration is linked to mobile-device imports, customs clearance, consumer rights and fair competition. A Customs Committee representative stressed that the system is not intended to create extra burdens or additional charges for the public, but to ensure lawful circulation and security.
Olimjonov explained the anti-theft mechanism: «If your phone is stolen, who will you turn to? If you report it to the IMEI center, the device will be blocked by its number. After that, the phone will not work in Uzbekistan. Stealing it will bring no benefit». He added that IMEI helps identify a device when investigating fraud linked to bank cards and prevents fraudsters from being given a «wide open door». He said another goal of IMEI registration is fair competition — protecting the interests of businesses that import mobile devices legally.
In his concluding remarks, Olimjonov said the main purpose of IMEI registration is not to create red tape or collect payments from the public, but to ensure the lawful circulation and security of phones. He also noted that setting duty rates is not within the Customs Committee’s powers: «The Customs Committee is a collecting agency: if it is said to be 5 percent, we collect 5 percent; if 10 percent is set, we must collect 10 percent. If so, submit a proposal to remove the 5 percent duty and pay only 12 percent VAT. But this is not a matter within the Customs agency’s powers». According to him, decisions on duty rates should be considered by authorized bodies, including the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade. The continued UZIMEI operation at Tashkent airport is expected to stabilize customs clearance, while the announced zero duty on mobile devices may affect the import and retail market.
Source: www.gazeta.uz