UzIMEI system under fire: Senator calls for easing dual-SIM phone registration rules in Uzbekistan

The inquiry, addressed to Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov, highlights persistent issues with registering IMEI codes in the UzIMEI system. The system has been in place since 2019, and starting in 2024, individuals are required to submit a customs declaration or pay a fee equivalent to 30% of the phone's customs value upon import.

Due to limited options for registration via the uzimei.uz website, the Unified Portal of Interactive Government Services, and the BIRDA app, the cost of services is “artificially inflated in some cases,” which has sparked online criticism and discussion on social media.

In addition, the requirement to register the IMEI2 code for the second SIM slot separately – and at the location where the device was originally registered – has created further difficulties and financial burdens for users.

Tursunov has requested a “well-founded explanation” from Minister Shermatov within ten days on the measures being taken to resolve technical problems with the UzIMEI registration system. He also called for the relaxation of requirements related to the registration of IMEI2 codes.

Growing complexity of IMEI code registration

According to amendments to a Cabinet of Ministers resolution from September 17, 2019, which came into effect on January 28, 2024, individuals must now complete a customs declaration when importing phones, regardless of duty-free import limits.

Citizens and foreigners may import up to two mobile phones duty-free per border crossing through airports, provided their total value does not exceed $2,000 (or $1,000 via train and $300 by car). If this limit is exceeded, a 30% customs duty applies to the excess amount.

In November, the Customs Committee announced it had completed the integration of the UzIMEI system to detect undeclared devices during IMEI registration. The agency urged travelers to complete a declaration upon import, as it is required for registering a device’s IMEI and warned against concealing phones that exceed duty-free limits.

“If no customs declaration is found in the UzIMEI system for the imported phone, a 30% duty must be paid based on its value before it can be registered and used,” the Customs Committee explained.

The agency also advised buyers to verify a phone’s registration status in UzIMEI when purchasing from markets, retail outlets, or online stores. If the device is unregistered, buyers will be responsible for paying the customs fees themselves. For assistance, individuals may call the hotline at 1108.

Additionally, the Ministry of Digital Technologies clarified in response to a request from Spot that travelers must go through the red customs corridor to fill out the declaration. Failure to declare a phone will result in an inability to register the device in UzIMEI. In such cases, one must contact customs authorities and pay the necessary fees.