Uzbekistan introduces tariffs on raw material exports before joining WTO

The Uzbek Tax Committee announced that Uzbekistan would introduce export duties for 86 raw materials including natural gas and cotton fibres, silk, wheat, copper, and wheat in preparation for its application to join the World Trade Organization. The new measure will be effective on July 1. It is intended to improve Uzbekistan’s export regulations and to encourage local producers, Azizbek Urunov said Tuesday.

Uzbekistan considered joining the WTO almost 30 years ago, but recently the Uzbek Government has intensified its negotiations and plans to join in 2026.

According to the announcement posted on the Government Portal, export duties of 20% will be introduced for natural gas, 100% cotton lint and copper, 10% for scrap metal, and 10% for polymers.

Export duties for some goods will increase in stages, starting July 1, 2025 and continuing through January 1, 2026.

Export fees and export permits will be replaced by export duties for Uzbekistan producers. Reporting by Mukhammadsharif Maatkulov, Editing by Sharon Singleton

(source: Reuters)