On April 21, 2016 new edition of the Customs Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan came into force. The Code provides simplified customs procedures and significantly reduced deadlines set for customs officials' decision on the matters related to the issuance of various permits, customs procedures of declaring and clearance of goods, including up to their arrival in the customs territory.
One of the innovations of the new Code is the Customs Register of Intellectual Property (hereinafter "Customs Register"), aimed at protecting intellectual property rights by customs authorities when goods crossing the customs border of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Code establishes the procedure for the inclusion of intellectual property objects into the Customs Register, measures to protect the rights of intellectual property, order and deadlines of the release suspension of goods containing objects of intellectual property, and others.
The Code also provides for the issuance of permits using information technology on the principle of "one stop shop". According to the new edition, the documents required for customs clearance may be submitted in electronic form. It is expected that the electronic declaration and the use of electronic digital signature, will greatly simplify and speed up customs control procedure.
Moreover, a system of double corridor is introduced. It provides an independent choice to individuals crossing the customs border, as a form of declaration of goods for non-commercial purposes "green" or "red" corridor.
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