Photo: Reuters
Starting April 1, 2025, Uzbekistan will introduce customs duties on the import of certain medicines, according to a presidential decree signed by Shavkat Mirziyoyev on January 28. The new tariff rate for items classified under position 3004 will be set at 2% of customs value, up from the previous 0% rate.
According to Gazeta.uz, the new tariffs will apply to approximately 1,500 types of pharmaceuticals, including:
👉 Antibiotics in finished form (amoxicillin, azithromycin, ceftriaxone)
👉 Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, paracetamol, diclofenac)
👉 Antiviral medications (oseltamivir, remdesivir)
👉 Hormonal drugs (insulin, prednisolone, thyroxine)
👉 Cardiovascular medications (atenolol, captopril, amlodipine)
👉 Diabetes treatments (metformin, glibenclamide)
👉 Antihistamines (cetirizine, loratadine)
👉 Oncology drugs (paclitaxel, tamoxifen)
👉 Vitamins and dietary supplements classified as pharmaceuticals
The tariff will not apply to serums, vaccines, blood-derived products, as well as medical patches and bandages.
Uzbekistan’s Agency for Pharmaceutical Industry Development explained that the tariff is intended to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. By the end of 2024, locally produced medicines accounted for 43% of the market, with a target to increase this share to 70% by 2030.
As of January 1, 2025, 54 Uzbek pharmaceutical companies hold GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certification, confirming compliance with international standards. However, their production facilities are currently operating at only 60% capacity, suggesting potential for market expansion, the agency noted.
«For this reason, it was proposed to introduce a pilot customs duty of 2% on products classified under code 3004,» the agency stated.
In December 2024, during a meeting between President Mirziyoyev and entrepreneurs, it was noted that Uzbekistan produces 3,500 types of medicines and medical products, but this remains insufficient to meet domestic demand. The president instructed authorities to double pharmaceutical production and extend customs benefits for local manufacturers—originally set to expire on January 1, 2025—for an additional three years.
