The measure is introduced to implement requirements of the presidential resolution “On measures on further improving and raising efficiency of customs bodies of Uzbekistan” from 10 August 2011 to ensure economic safety of the country and creating favourable and healthy competition in entrepreneurship activity and protect interests of the citizens.

The Government of Uzbekistan adopted a resolution “On implementation of measures on improving important of separate groups of goods to Uzbekistan”, which approved regulation on order of marking of imported consumer goods with special control identification mark and list of imported goods to Uzbekistan, which should be marked in mandatory order.

The regulation envisages mandatory marking of the group of consumer goods, including gas-stove, air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, dishwashers, printers, copy machines, faxes, washing machines, vacuum cleaner, DVD-players, musical center, TV-sets, etc.

In line with the documents, these goods should not be marked if they are imported for official use of diplomatic and consular missions of foreign states in Uzbekistan, international and intergovernmental organizations, offices of foreign states in these organizations, their personnel. The goods will not be marked if they imported for testing or research, as an exhibit, and for non-commercial purpose.

After goods imported, they should be marked within 15 days. Importer should submit application for production of identification mark at customs post.

Customs officers introduce records (name of importer, its tax ID, registration number and application date, number of identification marks) to special journal and submit application to territorial management of the State Customs Committee. Responsible officer will produce identification marks within two days and send them to customs post. Inspector of customs post will mark goods with identification marks in line with the application.

Identification marks are produced in special bar-code printers with thermal transfer stamp. Bar-code is a picture of black and white squares, which include data on good, its quantity, name of importer and tax ID, etc. The special papers with protection elements are bought from Davlat Belgisi of Central Bank of Uzbekistan.

Marking of the goods is conducted after its import to customs territory of Uzbekistan, before customs registration in customs regime “issuing to free circulation”. The mark is placed on package of the good, which cannot be separated before sale of products. The marks cannot be sold or handed over to third persons, but can be returned to the customs posts.

The costs of placement of identification marks will be covered due to funds of the Special Fund of the State Customs Committee.

The document said that the State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan will carry out control over imported goods, which should undergo mandatory marking. State Tax Committee will control over storage and realization of these consumer goods.

It is worth to mention that goods, which should be marked and issued for free circulation before 1 January 2012, can be sold in retail network without identification marks till 1 July 2012.