Transit through Uzbekistan: Kyrgyzstan asks to abolish insurance and window tint fees

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan is holding negotiations on abolishing the rules requiring Kyrgyz citizens traveling through Uzbekistan to pay for vehicle insurance and window tinting (“tonirovka”). This was announced by Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister Almaz Imangaziev at a session of the Jogorku Kenesh.

Responding to lawmakers’ questions, he said that the issue is currently at the stage of resolution.

“When traveling in transit through Uzbekistan from one region of Kyrgyzstan to another—mainly to the country’s southern regions—problems arise. Our drivers are required to purchase insurance and pay a fee if their vehicle windows are tinted. We do not impose such requirements. Perhaps we should ask our neighbors to abolish them?” said MP Doston Bekeshev.

According to Imangaziev, this request has already been conveyed to the Uzbek side, which is currently carrying out internal procedures.

“If the Uzbek side does not abolish these tariffs in the near future, Kyrgyzstan will apply the same tariffs to citizens of Uzbekistan,” he said.

Earlier, entrepreneurs raised concerns over customs-related issues between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. In particular, Tajikistan has been imposing high customs duties on Uzbek exporters. At a meeting with ambassadors and business representatives, Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev stated that Uzbekistan would respond if no agreement is reached with the neighboring country on this issue.