The Government of Tajikistan has abolished the preferential customs clearance procedure for mobile phones brought into the country for personal use.  The decision (Decree No. 442) was made on July 31, 2024, First Deputy Head of the Customs Service under the Government of Tajikistan, Azim Tursunzoda, told reporters in Dushanbe on August 7.  

"There have been instances where Customs Service employees used these preferences as a way to bypass customs procedures for mobile phones.  Investigations are currently underway regarding these cases.  To prevent such situations in the future, on July 31, an amendment was made to the Government Decree of November 2, 2007, No. 544 'On Approval of the Rules for Moving Goods by Individuals Across the Customs Border of the Republic of Tajikistan in a Preferential and Simplified Manner.'  Now, there are no loopholes, and all mobile devices will be subject to customs clearance according to the general rules," Azim Tursunzoda noted.

Previously, if a person brought a phone from abroad for personal use or as a gift, he/she could fill out a T-6 form at the customs point, and the phone's IMEI would be automatically added to the database.  Citizens could also fill out the T-6 form online at the customs point by connecting to a special Wi-Fi.

Tursunzoda said that since the registration of IMEI codes began, the budget received more than US$11 million from customs duties for mobile phones.  "Of the total number, 231,479 phones with a customs value of $80 million were cleared under preferential terms and completely free of charge.  525,621 devices with a customs value of US$47.1 million were cleared without preference," Tursunzoda added.

The International Mobile Equipment Identity is a numeric identifier, usually unique, for 3GPP and iDEN mobile phones, as well as some satellite phones.  It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone but can also be displayed on-screen on most phones by entering the MMI Supplementary Service code *#06# on the dialpad, or alongside other system information in the settings menu on smartphone operating systems.

The IMEI number is a unique 15-digit serial number for identifying a device; every mobile phone in the world has one.

Beginning of IMEI registration

The registration of IMEI codes in the state identification system for mobile communication devices began on February 1, 2023.  Until September 30 of the same year, the IMEI codes of phones with a local mobile operator's SIM card inserted were automatically entered into the national database.

It should be noted that importers are required to clear all imported phones through customs, paying value-added tax (VAT) and customs duty.  After customs clearance, the IMEI codes of the phones are automatically added to the database.

Cost of IMEI registration

It's important to differentiate between "registration of a mobile device in the State System" and "customs clearance." IMEI code registration in the state system is free. Customs clearance of goods is the responsibility of the importer-seller (Article 13 of the Customs Code of Tajikistan). Importers-sellers are not allowed to sell goods that have not undergone customs clearance procedures (Article 289 of the Criminal Code of Tajikistan and Article 578 of the Administrative Code of Tajikistan).

Importers of mobile phones and tablets must go through official customs clearance; otherwise, devices that have not been cleared will not work in the networks of local mobile operators.

Cost of customs clearance for phones

For customs clearance of phones and tablets, one must pay 14% VAT on the cost of the device (Tax Code of Tajikistan), $10 for customs duty (Government Decree No. 472 of December 2, 2005), and 50 somonis for procedural fees. The market value of mobile devices is approved by the Customs Service of Tajikistan.

Importers can fill out the declaration themselves or use the services of brokers. The list of licensed brokers is published on the Customs Service's website.