Uzbekistan is implementing a major reform of the system governing permits for international road transport of goods and passengers, introducing a more digitalized, transparent, and performance-based framework for national carriers.

The reform significantly restructures the processes of allocation, issuance, use, and monitoring of foreign and multilateral transport permits.

Transition to Border-Based Permit Issuance

 

A key structural change is the introduction of a mechanism whereby foreign and multilateral permits will be issued directly at border customs checkpoints in the direction of departure.

This represents a departure from the traditional centralized allocation system and is intended to:

• reduce administrative bottlenecks;
• improve real-time access to permits;
• align permit issuance with actual transport flows.

Dedicated permit issuance points will be established at border posts to support this model.

Digital Infrastructure: e-Permit and Pre-Reservation

 

The reform places strong emphasis on digitalization.

National carriers will be able to reserve required permits in advance through an automated system, up to 10 days prior to cargo loading. This introduces a planning mechanism that did not previously exist.

At the same time, a full electronic ecosystem is introduced:

• “e-Permit” system for electronic circulation and exchange of permits;
• automated registration, issuance, and monitoring of permits;
• integration of transport data across authorities.

This shifts the system toward real-time, data-driven management of international transport flows.

Ranking System and Performance-Based Allocation

 

One of the most significant innovations is the introduction of a rating system for national carriers, which directly affects access to permits.

The ranking is calculated based on multiple performance indicators, including:

• efficiency of permit usage;
• compliance with transport rules and deadlines;
• operational discipline (e.g., timely return of permits);
• overall activity in international transport operations.

Based on this rating:

• higher-ranked carriers receive priority access to permits;
• lower-ranked carriers face limitations in allocation.

This introduces a quasi-market mechanism into what was previously an administrative distribution system.

Automated Compliance and Sanctions

 

The system introduces automated enforcement mechanisms, significantly tightening compliance:

• permits may be suspended automatically if transferred to third parties;
• sanctions apply for failure to return permits within установленный срок;
• misuse or inefficient utilization impacts the carrier’s rating and future access.

This reflects a shift toward algorithm-driven regulatory control rather than manual supervision.

Detailed Regulation of Permit Lifecycle

 

The new framework comprehensively regulates the full lifecycle of permits:

• issuance (including electronic forms);
• reservation and allocation;
• usage conditions depending on transport type (bilateral, transit, multilateral);
• return and accountability procedures;
• interaction with customs and transport authorities.

It also establishes rules for:

• foreign carriers operating in Uzbekistan;
• differentiation between types of international transport operations;
• documentation and verification requirements.

Impact on the Transport Sector

 

For market participants, the reform introduces a fundamentally new operating environment:

• greater flexibility through border issuance and advance reservation;
• higher predictability via digital planning tools;
• increased compliance burden due to automated monitoring;
• competitive pressure driven by the carrier rating system.

Overall, the system evolves from an administrative allocation model into a hybrid digital-regulatory framework combining automation, ranking, and enforcement mechanisms.

While the regulation has already been adopted, the core operational changes including border issuance and digital permit mechanisms will apply from 1 June 2026.