Tashkent Airport introduces on-spot IMEI code registration for travelers

An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) registration desk for mobile devices has been launched in the arrivals hall of the Tashkent capital airport, Uzbekistan Airports has announced.

Employees of the Republican Center for the Management of Telecommunication Networks operate the desk, and arriving passengers can register mobile devices they are bringing into the country, both new and those used abroad.

The service costs 20% of the Base Calculating Amount (BCA), which is 68,000 UZS.

Since December 2019, a fee for IMEI code registration has been required. Devices had to be registered within 30 days from the moment of import; otherwise, they would cease functioning on local networks.

In October 2023, the procedure for registering IMEI codes was simplified. Citizens and foreigners can now register two mobile phones duty-free, which are brought in from abroad.

Additionally, the period phones can be used without registration by non-residents has doubled to 60 days. Meanwhile, mandatory declaration of imported devices has been introduced, and the total value of duty-free imported phones is now limited to $2,000 per trip.