UZ NOW

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Market Entry Checklist for International Companies

Short answer: Entering Uzbekistan comes down to seven work-streams: (1) company, (2) bank account, (3) staff, (4) contracts, (5) partners, (6) tax, and (7) regulated goods. Set up an entity (an LLC can be 100% foreign-owned and registered quickly via the one-stop-shop, which also handles tax registration), open a bank account, arrange people and payroll, put local contracts and partner agreements in place, understand your tax position, and — critically — confirm whether your products are regulated (medical devices, pharma, food) and need registration before import. Use the checklist below and treat the "depends on your case" section as the part that actually determines your plan.

The market entry checklist

1. Company

  • Decide the entry model: local company, distributor or representative office — see Local Company, Distributor or Representative?
  • If forming an LLC: register through the one-stop-shop (up to 100% foreign ownership); registration also triggers automatic state registrations, including tax.
  • Secure a legal address and confirm charter documents.

2. Bank account

  • Open a corporate bank account after the company exists.
  • Clarify currency accounts, profit repatriation and any documentation the bank requires from foreign owners.
  • Confirm signatory and online banking arrangements.

3. Staff

  • Decide who you hire locally vs. second from abroad; check work-permit needs for expatriates.
  • Set up employment contracts, payroll and mandatory social contributions.
  • Assign a local accountable person if you will operate an entity.

4. Contracts

  • Put core agreements in place: office lease, employment, supplier and customer contracts.
  • Confirm language, governing law, currency and dispute-resolution terms.
  • Align contract terms with tax and customs realities.

5. Partners

6. Tax

  • Understand your tax regime (turnover-based vs. general), VAT registration and filing obligations.
  • Confirm withholding and profit-repatriation treatment for your structure.
  • Set up accounting and reporting from day one.

7. Regulated goods

  • Determine whether your products require registration, licensing or certification before import or sale.
  • For medical devices, registration and a State Register entry are mandatory before import/distribution — see Medical Device Registration in Uzbekistan.
  • Check customs classification and duties for your goods.

What depends on your specific case

  • Your sector determines which goods are regulated and which licenses apply.
  • Entry model changes the company, tax and contract work-streams substantially.
  • Tax regime and incentives depend on turnover, activity and any special zones.
  • Banking requirements for foreign-owned entities vary by bank and profile.
  • Staffing depends on whether you need expatriate work permits.
  • Timelines — company setup can be fast, but banking, hiring, contracts and any product registrations run on their own schedules.

Typical mistakes to avoid

  • Importing regulated goods before registration — for medical devices, nothing may be imported or sold before the State Register entry.
  • Registering a company but stalling on banking, which blocks operations.
  • Underestimating ongoing obligations — accounting, tax filing and HR compliance after a fast setup.
  • Signing partners without verification or without exit terms.
  • Ignoring tax structure until after contracts are signed.
  • Assuming foreign approvals suffice for regulated products — they usually do not replace local registration.

Official sources

  • Single portal of interactive public services (company registration/services) — my.gov.uz
  • State Tax Committee (TIN, VAT, filings) — soliq.uz
  • State Customs Committee (classification, duties) — customs.uz
  • Investment Agency (foreign investment guidance) — invest.gov.uz
  • Government portal — gov.uz
  • National legal database — lex.uz
  • Medical devices — State Register — uzpharm-control.uz

This is a general checklist, not legal or tax advice. Confirm details against the official sources above or with a qualified local specialist.

Related reading

Work with UZ NOW

UZ NOW turns this checklist into an executable roadmap — company setup, banking, hiring, contracts, partner search and regulated-goods registration — coordinated by one accountable local lead in Tashkent.

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

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