Proposals for the development of e-commerce and the improvement of bonded warehouse operations reviewed

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation of proposals to develop e-commerce and improve the operation of bonded warehouses.

Over the past eight years, e-commerce volume in the country has increased 20-fold to $1.3 billion. The number of digital platforms exceeds 120. Thanks to the expansion of the self-employment framework and the simplification of licensing and taxation in this sector, 750,000 high-income jobs have been created, and the budget receives additional annual tax revenues of 200 billion UZS.

At the same time, many untapped opportunities were noted in this sector. In particular, e-commerce accounts for 4-4.6 percent of retail trade in Uzbekistan, which is five times lower than the global average of 22 percent. The country has the potential to increase this share to 9-11 percent.

In the context of developing e-commerce infrastructure, special attention was paid during the presentation to the issue of establishing special warehouses – bonded warehouses – intended for storing imported goods under customs control with deferred payment of customs duties and taxes.

As noted, introducing a system for paying customs duties on goods at the moment of sale would create conditions to attract at least $500 million in investment. It was emphasized that this practice is widely used in countries including Russia, China, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Singapore.

Today, the total area of warehouse facilities in Uzbekistan is 634,000 square meters, with 72 percent located in the capital and Tashkent region. Only 34 percent of existing warehouses are classified as modern Class “A”. According to expert estimates, to ensure sustainable economic growth in the country over the next five years, 2.5 million square meters of modern warehouse space will be required.

In this regard, it was proposed to expand the network of modern warehouses for major international marketplaces in the country.

The need for deep integration of digital platforms and bonded warehouses with tax and customs systems was emphasized. It was proposed, on an experimental basis during 2026-2028, to introduce a new mechanism based on the cycle “import – bonded warehouse – special e-commerce platform – consumer”.

Under this procedure, goods are placed in a bonded warehouse, sold through a special e-commerce platform, and customs declaration and duty payment are completed at the time of sale. Such platforms and warehouses will be included in the relevant registers and registered with the Customs Committee.

It was noted that bonded warehouses will facilitate domestic producers’ access to foreign markets, reduce working capital burdens, lower logistics costs, and enhance export competitiveness.

The Head of State instructed responsible officials to make e-commerce a driver of the economy, build modern infrastructure in this sector, and establish a favorable, transparent environment for the operation of digital platforms.

UzA