How to Find and Check a Distributor in Uzbekistan

Short answer: Find candidates through official registries, sector associations, referrals and trade events — then verify each one before you commit. The checks that matter most are: confirming the company legally exists and is in good standing, that it actually holds the licenses and registrations for your product category, that it has real customers and logistics (not just a website), and that its incentives align with an exclusive vs. non-exclusive arrangement you can live with. In Uzbekistan, relationships and trust matter alongside contracts, so verify before you commit — and structure the agreement so you are not locked to an underperforming partner.

Where to find distributor candidates

Cast a wide net first, then narrow:

1. Official company registry and tax records to confirm existence and status.
2. Sector associations and chambers relevant to your industry.
3. Referrals from other foreign suppliers already operating in Uzbekistan, and from your embassy/trade office.
4. Trade fairs and industry events in Tashkent.
5. Existing importers in adjacent product categories who may extend into yours.

A referral is a starting point, not a substitute for verification.

Due-diligence checklist: what to check before you commit

Run every serious candidate through this list.

1. Legal existence and standing — confirm registration, tax identification number (TIN) and that the entity is active, not dormant or in dispute.
2. Ownership and signatories — who actually owns and controls the company, and who is authorized to sign.
3. Licenses and product-category registrations — for regulated goods (medical devices, pharmaceuticals, food, etc.), confirm the distributor holds the necessary licenses and that products are properly registered. For medical devices, this ties directly to the authorized representative and State Register questions.
4. Financial substance — evidence of turnover, banking relationships and ability to fund inventory.
5. Real operations — warehousing, cold chain if relevant, sales team, and existing customer relationships you can reference.
6. Track record — other brands they represent, references you can actually call, and any conflicts with competing lines.
7. Reputation and disputes — litigation history, regulatory issues, and market reputation.
8. Alignment on model — exclusivity, territory, targets, pricing discipline and reporting expectations.

Questions to ask before signing

• Which of my products can you legally import and sell today, and which need registration first?
• Do you already distribute a competing product? If so, how is that managed?
• What volumes and customers can you commit to, and how will we measure performance?
• Will you hold registrations/authorizations in your name, and what happens to them if we part ways?
• How do you handle payment terms, currency and profit transfer?
• Who are three customers and two suppliers I can contact as references?

The answer to "what happens to registrations if we part ways" is one of the most important — and most overlooked.

What depends on your specific case

• Regulated vs. unregulated goods changes the licensing and registration checks entirely.
• Exclusive vs. non-exclusive shifts the risk: exclusivity gives commitment but concentrates dependence on one partner.
• Whether the distributor holds your registrations affects how easily you can switch partners later.
• Your sector determines which associations, events and reference channels are useful.
• Your entry model — a distributor is only one option; see Local Company, Distributor or Representative?

Typical mistakes to avoid

• Signing on a handshake or a single referral without documentary verification.
• Granting broad exclusivity too early, with no performance targets or exit for underperformance.
• Letting the distributor own your product registrations in a way that traps you if the relationship ends.
• Skipping the license check for regulated products, then discovering the partner cannot legally sell them.
• Ignoring conflicts of interest — a distributor already carrying a competitor's line.
• No reference calls. A website and a warm meeting are not evidence of a real customer base.

Official sources

• Single portal of interactive public services (business/company data and services) — my.gov.uz
• State Tax Committee (TIN, taxpayer verification) — soliq.uz
• National legal database — lex.uz
• For regulated medical products, the State Register — uzpharm-control.uz

Verify company and license details against official registries or with a qualified local specialist before signing.

Related reading

• Entering Uzbekistan: Local Company, Distributor or Representative?
• Uzbekistan Market Entry Checklist for International Companies
• Medical Device Registration in Uzbekistan: What Foreign Manufacturers Should Prepare Before Starting

Work with UZ NOW

UZ NOW runs partner search and verification in Uzbekistan — sourcing candidates, checking legal standing and licenses, and preparing the questions that matter before you sign.

• Service: Uzbekistan market-entry services
• Get in touch: Contact UZ NOW

Author: Maxim Korovkin, UZ NOW (Tashkent). Published 15 July 2026 · Updated 15 July 2026.