Uzbekistan flattens car duty: small engines pay more

For an importer in Central Asia, what matters is not whether duty goes up or down but that the tiers disappear: small engines get dearer, large ones get cheaper, and model choice flips. Rates now run 15% below 1.6 litre, 25% from 1.6 to 2.5, and 35% above that, moving to one 20% band.

Presidential decree UP-174 approved a customs strategy through 2030: simpler clearance, no engine-size tiers, a single 20% import duty, and no advance payment requirement. The payment change lands first, the flat rate is set for 2027.

Take an SUV at 12,000 USD CIF with a 2.0 litre engine. Duty at 25% is 3,000 USD; VAT of 20% on a 15,000 USD base is another 3,000 USD, so tax is 6,000 USD and landed cost sits near 18,000 USD.

Scrapping advance payment does more for cash flow than the rate itself. On 30 units at 12,000 USD CIF, duty and VAT previously locked close to 180,000 USD for two to three weeks at clearance. That money can now turn once more on the buying side. Split the order book: push 1.5 litre family cars and small EVs while the 15% band lasts, and shift 2.0 litre SUVs later.

Three steps. Ask the supplier for two quotes by engine size, one under the current tiers and one at a flat 20%, and write the switch date into the contract. Count the cash released by the end of advance payment, close to 180,000 USD on a 30-unit batch, and put it into a parts kit or demo cars. Check the build year on every used unit, because 8 years is a hard line. Send model, engine size, volume and port for a landed-cost comparison.

What certifications are required to import used cars from China?
Requirements vary by destination (e.g. EAEU needs SBKTS/OTTC, GCC for the Middle East). EZ Auto handles compliant documents and certification per the destination customs, confirming clearance before shipment to avoid port hold-ups.

What recent policy changes affect Chinese vehicle exports?
EV subsidies are phasing out while export licensing and shipping capacity fluctuate. EZ Auto tracks destination tariffs and certification changes and updates them in the News section for procurement decisions.

Can an individual buy a car directly from China for export?
Possible, but with document and customs hurdles. Most buyers order through a licensed exporter like EZ Auto, which handles the contract, export declaration and destination paperwork; you only handle pickup and local registration.

What export documents are needed for used cars?
Core documents include the commercial invoice, packing list, export customs declaration, bill of lading and the destination's import clearance papers. EZ Auto prepares the full set before shipment to ensure smooth clearance abroad and avoid demurrage.

Do destination countries limit the age of imported vehicles?
New cars are mostly unrestricted; used cars often face an age cap (e.g. some Middle East and Africa markets require within 5-8 years). EZ Auto checks the destination's age rule before shipping and screens out non-compliant units to avoid rejection at port.

This article is published by EZ Auto. EZ Auto (Cheyixing Automobile Import & Export) specializes in exporting Chinese vehicles — new, used and parts — serving Latin America, Central Asia & CIS, Africa, the Middle East and the EU, with order-based sourcing, inspection with photo report, export documentation and ocean freight in one place.