Uzbekistan Proposes Legal Framework for Foreign Trade Intermediaries: What Importers Should Know

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance has published a draft government decree that would recognize foreign trade intermediary contracts as a distinct category of foreign trade agreement. For Uzbek importers sourcing goods from China, the proposed rules are worth watching closely.

What is being proposed?

The draft introduces a “mediation agreement” model for foreign trade operations. Under the proposal:

• Resident legal entities and registered individual entrepreneurs would be allowed to act as foreign trade intermediaries;
• Funds received from third parties for onward transfer to a beneficiary would be treated as transit funds, not as the intermediary’s income;
• Banks would process transfers on the basis of the intermediary contract;
• Such transactions would not be classified as imports or exports by the intermediary for tax purposes.

The changes are intended to close a gap in the current regulations, which do not provide a way to register intermediary contracts in the Customs Committee’s E-kontrakt system.

Why does this matter for China-Uzbekistan trade?

A large share of Uzbekistan’s imports from China moves through trading platforms, agents, freight forwarders, and commission arrangements. Under current rules, an Uzbek marketplace operator or intermediary signing with a non-resident supplier cannot easily remit sales proceeds while deducting a commission fee. Instead, they typically must sign a service-import contract and can only collect commission after transferring the full amount.

The proposed framework would:

• let intermediaries register contracts in E-kontrakt;
• accept electronic transaction records as supporting documents;
• streamline settlements with non-resident suppliers.

That should reduce administrative delays and tax complexity for companies moving bulk cargo from China to Uzbekistan.

Practical benefits for importers

If your business imports goods weighing 40 kg or more per shipment from China, the new rules could help in several ways:

1. Clearer payment flows. Payments between importers, intermediaries, and Chinese suppliers would have a recognized legal basis.
2. Smoother customs processing. An intermediary contract would be a valid supporting document for banks and customs.
3. Lower compliance risk. Transit funds would not inflate the intermediary’s taxable turnover.
4. Mode flexibility. Whether cargo moves by rail freight, road freight, or air freight, the paperwork can be structured around a single intermediary agreement.

Timeline

The draft decree is open for public discussion until 30 August 2026. Businesses and industry associations can submit comments before the rules are finalized.

How UZLogis can help

UZLogis provides freight forwarding and trade intermediary services between China and Uzbekistan. We can:

• advise on contract and settlement structures with Chinese suppliers;
• prepare banking and customs documentation;
• choose the most suitable transport mode for your cargo;
• track shipments from Chinese warehouses to Uzbekistan warehouses.

Want to prepare for the new rules? Contact UZLogis for a free consultation and freight quote.