Tax Free: How Tourists Can Get a Refund on Goods Purchased in Uzbekistan

Foreign nationals will now be able to receive a for goods bought in Uzbekistan, thanks to the introduction of the Tax Free system at the country’s five international airports - Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Fergana and Urgench.

Tax Free is an international value added tax (VAT) refund system. Travellers shopping abroad do not have to pay this portion of the cost of goods and services as they are not citizens of the country visited. For this reason, tourists will be able to receive a refund of value-added tax on goods bought on foreign trips.

Which items are covered by Tax Free?

Tax Free service applies to a list of items that have been officially approved. These include dried fruit, nuts, perfumes, cosmetics, leather goods, furs, wooden products, carpets, silk products, clothing and accessories, footwear, ceramic products, household appliances, telephones, watches, toys, sports goods and others. Travelers can receive the refund within three months from the date of purchase. The total amount of the purchase, which must not be less than 1 million soums.

How to get a refund?

First of all, the foreign citizen should download the “Soliq” mobile app from the App Store or Play Market, register with a mobile phone number and add an international payment system card. Then, in the “General Services” section, “Tax Free” should be selected and receipts for the goods purchased should be scanned with a QR code. The amount of the tax refund is calculated automatically.

On the day of departure, the passenger must:

1. Check in for the flight at the airport of departure;

2. Go to the Tax Free desk located in the check-in hall near the entrance of the departure terminal of the international airport;

3. Show the desk staff the boarding pass, the item and an identification document. It is important that the item is safe and sound, in its packaging and close to the passenger.

Desk staff will inspect the goods indicated on the receipts and register the foreigner through the automated Tax Free system. The VAT refund is 90% of the amount of VAT paid. Foreign citizens will be able to receive funds into their international bank account or bank card after the 25th of the following month from the date the goods are registered.

For a complete list of Tax Free items and more information follow the link (https://taxfree.soliq.uz/).