The Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a resolution establishing a comprehensive framework for the regulation, classification, and modernization of transport and logistics centers (TLCs) throughout Uzbekistan. This new framework aims to improve the efficiency, safety, and competitiveness of the logistics sector by introducing unified standards of infrastructure, operational capacity, and management oversight.

 

Establishment of a National Register and Rating System

 

All TLCs operating in the country will now be included in a special national register maintained by the competent authorities. Each center will be assigned a rating reflecting its level of compliance, sustainability, and performance.

The overall rating will be based on two components:

The rating system will thus serve both as a compliance mechanism and as a benchmark for determining eligibility for state support, partnership programs, or preferential treatment in logistics initiatives.

 

Standardization of Infrastructure and Equipment

 

The resolution introduces mandatory technical and infrastructural requirements for the operation of both regional and international TLCs, as well as for warehouses, container terminals, and dry ports.

The territory of each TLC must comply with sanitary, environmental, and urban planning standards.

Requirements extend to transport accessibility, storage capacity, safety systems, and technological equipment.

TLCs are expected to provide facilities for cargo handling, packaging, temporary storage, customs procedures, and intermodal transport connections.

The standards are designed to align domestic logistics infrastructure with international norms, enhancing the country’s role as a regional transit and trade hub.

 

Restrictions on Location and Land Use

 

The regulation imposes clear geographical and land-use limitations:

TLCs must be located outside residential areas, protected environmental zones, and agricultural lands.

The allocated land plots must be used exclusively for logistics purposes, prohibiting unrelated commercial or industrial activities on the site.

This approach aims to reduce environmental risks, prevent congestion in urban areas, and preserve agricultural resources.

 

Accessibility Requirements

 

Each TLC must ensure direct and efficient connectivity to the main national and regional transportation corridors:

The distance between a TLC and the nearest railway line, transport interchange, or national/international highway may not exceed three kilometers by a road suitable for heavy transport movement.

This ensures smooth integration with the national logistics network, reducing costs and time in cargo movement.

 

Functional Mandate of TLCs

 

Depending on their location and strategic importance, TLCs must be capable of performing dual logistical roles:

Distribution center - facilitating the delivery and redistribution of goods across regions and neighboring countries.

Consolidation center - enabling the collection, sorting, and aggregation of goods for export, transit, or further distribution. This dual function enhances the system’s flexibility and responsiveness to both domestic and international trade flows.

 

Compliance and Future Implications

 

The introduction of uniform standards represents a major shift toward a regulated and performance-based logistics environment in Uzbekistan.

Operators will need to undertake technical audits and legal due diligence to ensure compliance with new standards before registration.

Non-compliance may result in exclusion from the register, loss of rating, or restrictions on participation in logistics programs.

The rating mechanism is expected to influence access to financing, investment incentives, and government contracts, effectively linking operational quality with regulatory and financial outcomes.

 

Strategic Outlook

 

The reform positions Uzbekistan to:

Strengthen its regional transit potential and integrate with global supply chains.

Attract private investment in logistics infrastructure through transparency and predictability.

Promote sustainable and environmentally responsible development by enforcing location and infrastructure controls.

The document shall enter into force on January 10, 2026.