Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have abolished the requirement for permits for mutual cargo transport, effective November 21, according to Asia-Plus citing Tajikistan's Ministry of Transport. This decision allows freight vehicles to cross each other's borders without the need for special documentation.
Following the ratification of the bilateral agreement by Tajikistan's lower house of parliament, the Uzbek authorities were informed through Tajikistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that internal procedures for abolishing the permits had been completed.
In September, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed that the necessary notifications be sent to Tajikistan once all domestic formalities were concluded.
As a result of this agreement, freight vehicles from both countries can now cross the border freely, without needing a permit. However, for transit to third countries via Uzbekistan, the "dozvol" permit remains required. A representative from a Tajik transport company told Asia-Plus that trucks have already been crossing the Tajik-Uzbek border without permits. Yet, drivers still need the permit for transit through Uzbekistan to other states.
The introduction of the permit-free transport has been welcomed, as previously, heavy trucks required permits to travel through Uzbekistan. The cost of these permits had sparked significant debate earlier this year, with truck drivers at the "Fotehobod-Oybek" checkpoint in January complaining about difficulties in obtaining permits. This situation had hampered commercial operations, with the Uzbek Ministry of Transport issuing the permits for a fee through logistics companies.
The protocol to amend the 2018 Intergovernmental Agreement on International Road Transport was signed during President Mirziyoyev's official visit to Tajikistan in April. In September, the amendment was ratified by Tajikistan's parliament, paving the way for this significant shift in bilateral transport regulations.
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