Permits for cargo transportation between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are no longer required. As of November 21, a decision came into effect allowing freight vehicles to cross each other’s borders without the need for this document. This was reported to Asia-Plus by Tajikistan’s Ministry of Transport.

The ministry explained that following the ratification of the bilateral agreement by Tajikistan’s lower house of parliament, the Uzbek side was informed of the completion of internal procedures for abolishing the permits through Tajikistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In September this year, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed the relevant notification to be sent to the Tajik side after completing domestic formalities.

According to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Transport, freight vehicles from both countries can now freely across the borders without requiring a permit.

A representative from a Tajik transport company told Asia-Plus that for several days, trucks have been crossing the Tajik-Uzbek border without permits. However, for transit to third countries via Uzbekistan, this document (known as "dozvol") is still required.

“The permit abolition only applies to travel between the two countries. One or two drivers from other companies have already crossed the border since the permits were abolished. They confirmed that travel between the countries is unrestricted, but a 'dozvol' is still necessary for transit through Uzbekistan to other states,” the transport company representative clarified.

Previously, permits were required for heavy trucks to travel through Uzbekistan, and their cost had sparked considerable debate in recent months.

For example, in January this year, drivers at the "Fotehobod-Oybek" checkpoint complained about difficulties in obtaining permits, which they said severely limited their commercial operations. At the time, Minister of Transport Azim Ibrohim stated that these documents were issued by the Uzbek side.

Permits for freight transport for heavy vehicles were issued by the State Transport Control and Regulation Service of the Ministry of Transport through logistics companies for a certain fee.

The protocol for amending the Intergovernmental Agreement on International Road Transport of March 9, 2018, was signed during Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Tajikistan on April 18-19 this year. In September, it was ratified by Tajikistan’s parliament.