Most companies handling deliveries from China have announced that, as of November 12, they are temporarily halting the transport of orders from marketplaces and other cargo from China.  They cited border crossing difficulties as the reason for this decision.

The Head of the Department of Ground Transportation of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Transport, Saifullo Qodirzoda, told Asia-Plus that that the suspension is due to the expiration of a permit agreement between the relevant authorities of both countries. He added that two months ago, the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan sent a request to its Chinese counterparts for permit renewal and is awaiting a response.  "They promised, but unfortunately, we haven’t received the permit yet," he said.

The Transport Control and Regulation Service also confirmed that the permit has expired, and everyone is waiting for a response from China’s Ministry of Transport, without specifying when the issue might be resolved.

No “permit,” no passage

USHANBE, November 13, 2024, Asia-Plus -- Freight carriers for goods from China did not provide a clear response to Asia-Plus regarding the border issue.  Most logistics companies posted on their Telegram and Instagram pages, notifying followers that border crossing is currently difficult and that deliveries to Tajikistan could be delayed.  For this reason, they are temporarily refraining from accepting new orders.  However, some logistics companies continue to accept orders with prior notice about possible delivery delays.

The permit for international freight transportation (known as a "dozvol") is a single-use authorization for a vehicle from one country to carry heavy, oversized, or hazardous cargo across another country's territory.  Each issued document is assigned a unique number, which is closed upon customs inspection, and cannot be reused. Permits are issued for loading/unloading goods and for transit.

This permit is provided by the State Transport Control and Regulation Service of the Ministry of Transport upon payment through logistics intermediaries.  Truck drivers have frequently complained about obtaining permits from intermediaries at high prices.  

In September 2021, the situation escalated to a truck drivers' protest at the Ministry of Transport's building.  They claimed that each permit used to cost US$60 but rose to US$400, although the Ministry stated the actual price was 84 somonis (US$7.50).

Earlier this year, many trucks were stranded at the Fotehobod checkpoint in Sughd’s Mastchoh district, connecting Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.  The situation was attributed to the cost and complexity of obtaining permits. Tajikistan's Minister of Transport, Azim Ibrohim, reported that the previous year's licenses expired on January 31, 2024, but some logistics companies were selling new licenses to drivers at high prices.