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Money & duty free for Uzbekistan

Currency information: 

Uzbek Sum (UZS; symbol лв) = 100 tiyn. Notes are in denominations of лв1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 3 and 1. Coins are in denominations of лв100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1 tiyn.

Credit cards: 

Acceptable in some of the major hotels in tourist centres. Uzbekistan has said that it intends to introduce its own Visa card in the near future.

Travellers cheques: 

Limited acceptance.

Banking hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900-1800. Some banks open Sat 0900-1500.

Currency restriction: 

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. The import of foreign currency exceeding US$2,000 requires proof of lawful exchange, otherwise an import fee is payable.

Currency exchange: 

Tourists and businesspeople without special status have to pay for hotels, hotel services and transport in hard currency; US Dollars are the most widely acceptable. All bills are normally settled in cash. It is illegal to change money on the black market and penalties can be harsh. Banks and the currency exchange bureaux in major hotels will change at the official rates.

Uzbekistan duty free

The following goods may be imported into Uzbekistan by visitors over 16 years without incurring customs duty:

• 1,000 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco products.
• 1.5L of alcoholic beverages and 2L of wine.
• A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.
• Other goods for personal use up to a value of US$10,000.

Note: All valuable items such as jewellery, cameras and computers should be declared on arrival.

Banned imports: 

Firearms, ammunition, drugs, photographs and printed matter directed against the country, live animals (without special permit) and fruit or vegetables.

Banned exports: 

Items more than 100 years old and those of special cultural importance require special permission for export. When buying items that may be more than 100 years old, ask for a certificate stating the age of the item(s). Precious metals, stones, furs, arms and ammunition, antiquities and art objects (subject to duty and special permit from the Ministry of Culture) are also prohibited.

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