Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan adopted resolution on 5 February 2013 “On introduction of new documentary stamps for alcohol and tobacco products”.

The resolution was adopted in order to strengthen control over illegal production and realization of alcohol and tobacco goods.

In line with the document, new documentary stamps for alcohol and tobacco products will be introduced from 1 April 2013.

Design of new documentary stamps with additional protection levels will be developed and approved by Ministry of Finance, State Customs Committee, State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan and Davlat Belgisi State Production Union.

The document said that alcohol and tobacco products, marked with old documentary stamps and realized through wholesale and retail trade networks, will be in circulation for nine months from 1 April 2013 and after that the products will be considered as unmarked and will be seized in established order.

State Tax Committee and State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan were entrusted on 1 January 2014 to adopt measures on revealing and preventing production and realization of alcohol and tobacco products, marked with old documentary stamps and realized through wholesale and retail trade networks, and seizing them.

The Government of Uzbekistan increased rate of excise tax for imported tobacco products from 1 January 2013.

From 1 January 2013 the excise tax for ethyl alcohol makes up 3,031 soums per decilitre (+15%) and for natural wines – 5,230 soums for 1 decilitre of ready product (+5%).

The excise tax for fortified wine set at 5,728 soums per liter (+15%), cognac, vodka and other alcohol products – 26,160 soums (+20) and beer – 2,975 soums (+15%).

The Uzbek government also established new rates of excise taxes for cigarettes with filters at the size of 13,424 soums for 1,000 units and for cigarettes without filters – 6,479 soums for 1,000 units.

Excise tax for cigarettes from tobacco and its replacement, imported to Uzbekistan, was set at the level of US$18.2 per 1,000 units. Earlier, the excise tax rate was US$13 per 1,000 units.