Nearly half of Uzbekistan’s population of 38 million is concentrated in Tashkent and the Fergana Valley, the two regions that consumer product manufacturers consider as the most promising entry points to Uzbekistan’s markets. Residents of Tashkent have the greatest purchasing power in the country. Other large cities include Samarkand and Bukhara, which benefit from tourism. Uzbekistan is a double-landlocked country, so getting goods into the country can be complicated, especially amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and related logistical issues and Western sanctions on Russia, but once in, distribution is easier because of the dense population and relatively good transportation infrastructure. 

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route linking China and the European Union through Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkiye, and Eastern Europe has increased in importance. In February 2021, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan agreed to the construction of a 573-km-long Mazar-e-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway. The three countries signed a framework agreement on the joint feasibility study for the project in Kabul in July 2025. Such a railway could grant Uzbekistan access to the Indian Ocean and facilitate trade with South Asia and the world. In September 2022, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China signed an agreement to conduct a feasibility study on a $4.7 billion China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, which had been discussed for 20 years. The study was completed in the first half of 2023 and railway construction started in December 2024. 

China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan created a joint venture, in which China owns 51% and Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan own 24.5% each. Half of this amount – $2.35 billion – will be transferred by China in the form of a loan to the joint venture’s account. The remaining amount will be provided by the three countries, according to their share in JV. The length of the railway line will be 486 kilometers, of which 311.75 kilometers will pass through the territory of Kyrgyzstan, and the volume of cargo transportation will amount to 12-15 million tons per year. Uzbekistan also expects the construction of Tashkent-Samarkand and Tashkent-Andijan toll roads on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis to start in 2026.

Using an Agent or Distributor

U.S. companies currently active in Uzbekistan most commonly use the following methods to get their product to the market: distributing or selling the product directly; working through a countrywide distributor or agent; working through more than one local-area distributor or agent; and distributing or selling products directly from a warehouse. It is important to have an experienced and reliable local partner or agent who knows the local market, customs regulations, business environment and legislation. A U.S. based exporter that is new to the market may contact business associations such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Uzbekistan (https://www.amcham.uz/) for general information on potential partners, agents, or distributors.

Establishing an Office

To open a local representative office, foreign companies need accreditation from the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade. The following documents should be submitted: 

•    An application of the foreign company containing information about the company, its activity, management, subsidiaries, branches and representative offices, business relations with companies and organizations in Uzbekistan, prospects for cooperation, the requested time period for opening a representative office, full name and contact information of the person who filled out the application;
•    Constituent documents of the foreign company;
•    The official registration certificate from the foreign company’s domicile country;
•    A power of attorney issued by a foreign company to the head of the representative office, indicating the full passport (ID card) data and the powers granted;
•    The charter of the representative office certified by the management of the foreign company with a personal signature and seal of the organization (if any).

All documents must be legalized at the consular office of Uzbekistan in the foreign company’s domicile country. Legalization is not required if the documents are apostilled. Documents are submitted with a notarized translation into Uzbek or Russian. If some of the above documents are not provided for by the legislation of the country of the foreign company, the company may submit to the accrediting body a confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the diplomatic mission of its domicile country in the Republic of Uzbekistan.  

Accreditation can be issued for one to three years with the possibility of its subsequent extension, subject to the advance application of a foreign company to the accrediting body. The annual fee for accreditation is 48 times the Basic Calculation Unit and amounts to $1,582 at the exchange rate of August 2025. The decision on accreditation should be made within five business days.

For the latest Investment Climate Statement (ICS), which includes information on investment and business environments in foreign economies pertinent to establishing and operating an office and to hiring employees, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Investment Climate Statements website.  

Franchising

The following regulations govern a franchising agreement: 

•    Civil Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan
•    Law on Trademarks, Service Marks and Places of Origin of Goods
•    Law on Competition
•    Law on Trade Secrets
•    Law on Trade Names
•    Regulations on the procedure for state registration of agreements on comprehensive entrepreneurial licenses (franchising)
•    Rules for provision of public service for the registration of trademarks and service marks

Franchising agreements are subject to state registration. According to the Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, when paying royalties to a non-resident which does not have a permanent establishment, the licensee will be considered a tax agent for income tax and tax is withheld at a rate of 20% for each income payment, if there is no international agreement between the country of the licensor and the Republic of Uzbekistan providing for the avoidance of double taxation or applying a reduced tax rate.

Uzbekistan’s market presents unexplored opportunities for franchises, where only a few international companies are now present. The most serious barriers to franchising efforts are quality control, lack of information, and weak intellectual property rights protections. However, there is great interest from local businesses to develop franchising arrangements with U.S. companies, primarily in the restaurant, beauty, healthcare, and hospitality industries and a number of U.S. franchises have entered the market in recent years.  

Direct Marketing

Direct marketing in Uzbekistan is predominantly used by beauty and health product companies. Herbalife pioneered this field in Uzbekistan with its well-known model. Uzbek entrepreneurs frequently promote their products to potential customers using social networks. Other forms of direct marketing include distributing free samples at points of sale, cultural events, and door-to-door. Marketing by mail is not used.  

Joint Ventures/Licensing

Uzbekistan’s current Law “On Investments and Investment activity” was issued in 2019. Under this law, the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade (https://gov.uz/en/miit) is the authorized state body in the field of state regulation of investments, making it the regulatory authority for joint ventures and licensing. Depending on the extent of foreign participation, a business can be defined as an “enterprise with foreign capital” (EFC - less than 15% foreign-owned) or as an “enterprise with foreign investment” (EFI - more than 15% foreign-owned). Joint ventures are defined as a company with at least 400 million soums ($32,007 at the exchange rate in August 2025) charter capital and at least 15% of foreign ownership. A foreign enterprise (FE) is a company with at least 400 million soums charter capital that is fully owned by a foreign investor. FEs and EFIs can qualify for some tax incentives. The minimum charter capital requirement in Khorezm region and Republic of Karakalpakstan is 200 million soums.  

As of January 1, 2025, there are 14,871 EFIs operating in Uzbekistan. The largest number of them hold Chinese (3,357), Russian (2,937), Turkish (1,826), Kazakh (1,041), and South Korean (644) capital. The U.S. comes ninth with 304 EFIs. Most (65.1%) EFIs are located in Tashkent. The number of newly registered enterprises with foreign investment amounted to 4,200 in 2024. The largest number of EFIs operates in trade (5,332), manufacturing (3,217), construction (1,085) and information and communication (1,059).  

Express Delivery

A number of international express mail couriers are active in Uzbekistan, including DHL, FedEx, UPS, and others. Starting from May 2025, the government reduced duty-free import amounts for individuals: by air - $1,000; by rail and water - $500; by car or foot - $300; via international courier services - $200 per month; by mail - $100. Also, the resolution sets the quantity limits for duty-free import of alcohol, tobacco, perfume and supplements by individuals. Transit times from major U.S. cities average 10-12 days.

In accordance with Uzbekistan’s legislation on the protection of consumer rights, all products sold in the country must contain the following information:

•    Name of the product (work, service);
•    Designation of regulatory documentation, the mandatory requirements with which the product (work, service) must comply;
•    List of main consumption characteristics, including specific ones;
•    Price (tariff) and terms of purchase;
•    Date of manufacturing;
•    Manufacturer’s (service provider’s) warranty obligations;
•    Rules and conditions for effective and safe use;
•    Service life (shelf life) and information about the necessary actions of the consumer after this period, as well as about the possible consequences if these actions are not taken;
•    Full name and location (legal address) of the manufacturer (service provider, seller), QR code (matrix barcode) of licenses and permits, and for imported goods - the name and location (legal address) of the manufacturer and importer;
•    Name of the country of origin of goods;
•    Addresses of the manufacturer (service provider, seller) and enterprises authorized by them to accept claims from the consumer, as well as those performing repairs and maintenance;
•    Methods and rules of storage, safety of disposal;
•    For a product subject to mandatory technical regulation, the consumer must be provided with relevant information about its compliance with the requirements of regulatory documents in the field of technical regulation;
•    Ingredients and “best before” date (for food);
•    User’s manual (if applicable);
•    Warnings (if applicable).      

This information label must be attached to the product at the facility where it is produced.  The government will not allow in-country labeling. Information on imported goods should be provided online in advance to the customs service’s information systems.

Due Diligence

Due diligence is important in choosing the best market entry strategy and in selecting business partners and clients in Uzbekistan. Notable areas of concern include company solvency, import restrictions and procedures, rule of law issues, and limitations on government investment incentives.  Interested parties may contact the American Chamber of 

Commerce in Uzbekistan or any of the major international audit companies with offices in Tashkent, including:
•    Pricewaterhouse Coopers Uzbekistan
•    Ernst & Young Uzbekistan
•    Deloitte &Touche LLC Uzbekistan
•    KPMG Uzbekistan
•    Baker Tilly Uzbekistan

The U.S. Embassy provides International Company Profile (ICP) services to assist U.S. firms in evaluating potential business partners by providing information on Uzbek companies.