Uzbekistan customs rules for travellers

Most tourists pass through customs at the airport or a land border quickly, often through the "green channel" if they have nothing to declare. Your luggage may be X-rayed. You must declare goods above the duty-free allowances and large amounts of currency.

Uzbekistan sets limits above which foreign currency must be declared in writing on arrival, and rules on how much can be taken out when you leave. If you declare cash on arrival, keep the declaration: it helps when leaving with unspent money. Normal tourist amounts are usually below the threshold. Check the current limits with the State Customs Committee or your embassy before travelling, as they have changed in recent years. See money in Central Asia.

Some medicines that are common in Europe, North America and Asia are controlled in Uzbekistan, including:

• Strong painkillers containing codeine, tramadol or other opioids.
• Sleeping pills and tranquillisers, such as benzodiazepines.
• ADHD medication, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines.
• Some cold and allergy medicines containing certain stimulants.

Carry medicines in their original packaging, with a prescription or doctor’s letter, preferably in English or Russian, and only in the quantity you need for your trip. If you take a controlled medicine, check in advance with the Uzbek embassy. Possession of narcotics, including cannabis, is a serious criminal offence.

Drones may only be imported and flown with permission from the authorities. Bringing a drone without a permit can lead to confiscation at the border. If you want aerial photographs, ask us or a local operator about permits well in advance, or leave your drone at home.

Ordinary electronics for personal use, such as phones, laptops and cameras, are no problem. Professional film equipment may require advance arrangements.

Duty-free allowances apply to alcohol and tobacco brought in for personal use; larger quantities must be declared and may be taxed. Some food products, plants and animal products may be restricted. Do not bring meat or dairy products for trading.

You can freely take home ordinary souvenirs: ceramics from Rishtan and Gijduvan, silk from Margilan, embroidered suzani, knives, spices and dried fruit.

• Carpets: keep the receipt. Reputable shops provide a document or certificate stating that the carpet is new and not of cultural value, which may be requested at customs. Hand-made carpets from workshops in Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand usually come with this paperwork.
• Antiques and old items: objects of historical or cultural value, such as old carpets, old suzani, coins, manuscripts, jewellery or antique ceramics, require an export certificate from the cultural authorities, and some cannot be exported at all. Buy antiques only from shops that can provide the certificate.
• Archaeological finds: never pick up or buy pottery fragments, coins or other objects from archaeological sites such as the desert fortresses or Afrosiyob in Samarkand. Exporting them is illegal.

When you leave, your luggage may be X-rayed and you may be asked about cash, carpets or antiques. Have receipts and certificates easily accessible. Fragile ceramics are best carried in hand luggage. Check your airline’s baggage allowance, especially on domestic flights. See Tashkent airport.

At land crossings, customs checks can be more thorough, and luggage is often X-rayed on both sides. The same rules apply. See border crossings in Central Asia and our guides to the Gisht Kuprik and Jartepa borders.