The Technical Regulation Agency commented on plans to ban customs clearance of imported cars if the certificate of conformity is issued in another person's name. The government's discussion to tighten car import rules, including electric vehicles, was put on hold due to criticism but has resurfaced.
The agency highlighted that importers avoid obtaining vehicle type approval documents and sell foreign cars domestically by registering each car under different individuals. If the proposed changes take effect, a ban on transferring cars held in customs to other individuals will be implemented.
According to the agency, only legal entities will be allowed to import cars into Uzbekistan from abroad, with exceptions for personal use. Approval of the vehicle type will be required before import, ensuring compliance with Uzbekistan's conditions.
Although the changes were initially set to be enforced from April 1, the document is still in the draft stage. The aim is to enhance vehicle safety and compliance with technical regulations in the country.
The agency's message emphasized the necessity of obtaining a certificate of conformity based on the general technical regulation on the safety of wheeled vehicles. This move aims to ensure Uzbekistan's market is supplied with safe vehicles while complying with technical standards.
In 2023, out of 62,748 imported cars, 61,372 had conformity certificates, with the majority issued to individuals, allowing sellers to bypass the vehicle type approval process.
The unresolved issues following the 2022 authorization of car imports by individuals include after-sales services, free warranty maintenance, and uninterrupted spare parts supply, as highlighted by the agency.
