From 1 January 2012, Uzbekistan introduced mandatory marking of some group of imported goods with identification signs before launching them to the market. The measure was introduced to ensure economic security of the country, create favourable conditions and health competition among businesses.

The Government of Uzbekistan approved a regulation on order of marking imported consumer goods with special controlling identification signs and list of imported goods, which should be marked on mandatory basis before their launch to the market.

In line with the document, such goods as facilities for preparing and heating food, air conditioners, equipped with ventilator and engines, as well as temperature meters, DVD-players, faxes, washing machines, TV-sets, musical centers, and others should be marked.

In line with the documents, these goods should not be marked if they are imported for official use of diplomatic and consular missions of foreign states in Uzbekistan, international and intergovernmental organizations, offices of foreign states in these organizations, their personnel. The goods will not be marked if they imported for testing or research, as an exhibit, and for non-commercial purpose.

Identification marks are produced in special bar-code printers with thermal transfer stamp. Bar-code is a picture of black and white squares, which include data on good, its quantity, name of importer and tax ID, etc. The special papers with protection elements are bought from Davlat Belgisi of Central Bank of Uzbekistan.

After goods imported, goods should be marked within 15 days. Importer should submit application for production of identification mark at customs post.

Customs officers introduce records (name of importer, its tax ID, registration number and application date, number of identification marks) to special journal and submit application to territorial management of the State Customs Committee. Responsible officer will produce identification marks within two days and send them to customs post. Inspector of customs post will mark goods with identification marks in line with the application.

Marking of the goods is conducted after its import to customs territory of Uzbekistan, before customs registration in customs regime “issuing to free circulation”. The mark is placed on package of the good, which cannot be separated before sale of products. The marks cannot be sold or handed over to third persons, but can be returned to the customs posts.

The State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan carries out control over imported goods, which should undergo mandatory marking. State Tax Committee controls over storage and realization of these consumer goods.

It is worth to mention that if new products are added to the list, these goods can be realized within signs for 180 days. The costs of placement of identification marks will be covered due to funds of the Special Fund of the State Customs Committee.

It should be noted that some 14 billion soums were received in the result of importing some types of goods to Uzbekistan in the first half of 2012.