Customs officers foil illegal Starlink import; criminal case opened

Authorities in Uzbekistan have intercepted an attempt to illegally import a Starlink satellite communication system, which is prohibited without special permits under national law.

Photo: Customs Committee

Customs officers at the Jartepa border checkpoint detected the violation while inspecting a Mercedes-Benz entering the country from a neighboring state. The vehicle was searched in accordance with standard customs procedures, the Samarkand Regional Customs Administration said in a statement on April 1.

During the inspection, officials discovered an undeclared Starlink kit in the vehicle’s luggage compartment. The equipment, valued at approximately UZS 6 million, had not been listed in the passenger’s customs declaration and lacked the required authorization.

A technical assessment by the Electromagnetic Compatibility Service of the Samarkand Region confirmed that such satellite communication equipment cannot be imported or operated in Uzbekistan without specific regulatory approval. Consequently, a criminal case has been opened under the relevant provisions of the Criminal Code.