Light Expedition – Easy Transportation

As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to affect global logistics, Uzbekistan has introduced an emergency support mechanism for exporters. The initiative was announced by the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan.

Authorities note that the current situation is already causing cargo delays, transit disruptions, customs clearance challenges, and complications with international payments.

To help businesses navigate these issues, the government has reactivated the Republican Export Headquarters, a crisis-response platform originally established in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to support companies facing trade restrictions.

The mechanism is intended to provide exporters with rapid assistance in resolving logistics, financial, and administrative issues while global transport routes remain unstable.

For Uzbekistan, this support is particularly important as the country continues to expand exports and diversify its markets. According to official statistics, fruit and vegetable exports alone exceeded $99 million in January 2026, highlighting the growing importance of reliable logistics for the national economy.

In practice, this initiative acts as a fast-response crisis tool designed to help exporters manage disruptions in logistics, payments, and customs operations during the ongoing regional instability.

The head of the Dostuk road border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan has been detained and placed in custody on suspicion of corruption and artificially creating vehicle queues. According to Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security, the official allegedly accepted bribes through intermediaries in exchange for facilitating truck crossings and turning a blind eye to unlawful activities at the checkpoint.

At the same time, pressure has increased on the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border. Kazakhstan has tightened customs inspections, leading to significant congestion of trucks at road border crossings. The Eurasian Economic Commission stated that longer processing times on the Kazakh side are behind the growing queues.

Kazakh authorities describe the measures as targeted and temporary, aimed at combating illegal trade flows that may pose risks to national security. Taken together, these developments heighten transit risks in the region and raise fresh concerns about the transparency and efficiency of border administration.

Starting February 2026, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will begin applying navigation seals to track cargo transportation. The decision was adopted by the Eurasian Economic Commission.

The project will be implemented in three phases over a total period of approximately 18 months.

The first phase will start on February 11, 2026, covering the transportation of sanctioned goods, as well as alcohol, tobacco, clothing, footwear, machinery, and other product categories. Control measures will primarily apply to road transport, and in certain cases to rail transport.

The timelines for the second and third phases have not yet been disclosed.

At the same time, the mechanism is already being tested in practice. From February 1, 2026, a pilot project has been launched requiring the mandatory use of navigation seals for the transportation of timber and wood products from Russia to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The list includes unprocessed and sawn timber, technical wood products, railway sleepers, and other товарные позиции under HS codes 4403, 4404, 4406, and 4407.

The introduction of navigation seals aims to increase transparency in transportation, combat illegal trade, and strengthen control over sensitive cargo flows. For foreign trade participants, this means the need to prepare in advance for new requirements and adjust logistics processes accordingly.