The head of the e-commerce department at the National Agency for Prospective Projects, Kamronbek Mukhammediev, has called for the legalization of foreign marketplaces in Uzbekistan by the end of the first half of the year. He made this statement on January 23 at a conference in the Sputnik press center.
According to him, the foreign platform Temu is known for its aggressive marketing strategy. In 2023, the company spent $4 billion on advertising, and in 2024, this amount is expected to reach $10 billion.
“Just imagine why Temu's advertisements appear on every page of the app or in social media. They employ aggressive methods to penetrate new markets around the world,” the official noted.
He stated that the low prices on the platform create serious competition for local entrepreneurs who bear tax burdens and comply with legal requirements.
Starting from July 1, 2025, new rules for international platforms will come into effect in Uzbekistan. The main requirement is to establish a presence in the republic and register a resident legal entity.
He also reminded that users have the right to order goods from abroad duty-free up to $1,000 per quarter. “This is the right of every citizen. We cannot and will not restrict it,” he added.
However, Temu and other foreign marketplaces will be required to adapt to the new rules.
If the platforms do not adapt to the new requirements, regulatory measures may be applied by the regulator and other state bodies.
“NAPP will not independently block services. However, if companies completely ignore local legislation even after the deadlines, measures will still be taken. This may include limiting their activities up to blocking services, but such actions will be carried out by the relevant state structures,” Kamronbek Mukhammediev explained.
According to him, before blocking, the regulator will send a notification that will be reviewed by the relevant authorities. Only after examining all circumstances can a decision about blocking be made.
In an interview with Spot, Kamronbek Mukhammediev discussed the necessity of the new rules, how they will change the market, and what will happen to companies that fail to comply.
Earlier, Spot reported that UzPost had started delivering orders from foreign marketplaces Temu and Ozon.