Retail business in Uzbekistan: legal regulation and modern requirements

No.

Concept

Definition

Distinctive signs / Example

1

Retail trade

Sale of goods to the end consumer for personal, family, household use, without the right of commercial use.

Payment – cash, bank cards, online systems. Example: buying groceries in a supermarket.

2

Trade object

Place/infrastructure for selling goods and providing services, regardless of ownership and scale.

Hypermarkets, supermarkets, markets, minimarkets, kiosks, stalls, vending machines.

3

Stationary objects

They are placed on a permanent basis in places determined by government authorities.

Shops, pharmacies, gas stations, pavilions, kiosks.

4

Mobile objects

Temporary or seasonal objects that require dismantling after completion of work.

Stalls, tents, food trucks, temporary trade pavilions.

5

Trade hall

Part of a retail facility where public offers and transactions are made.

In the supermarket there is an area with display cases and cash registers.

6

Trade vending machine

An automated device that dispenses goods after payment.

Vending machines for drinks or snacks.

7

Salesman

A legal entity or individual entrepreneur acting as a party to a purchase and sale agreement.

Owners shops, individual entrepreneurs.

8

Salesperson-worker

A person acting on behalf of a seller who directly serves customers.

Cashier, consultant.

9

Network marketing

A form of retail trade through independent agents who distribute goods over a network.

Selling cosmetics or household chemicals through a multi-level network.

10

Network organization

A legal entity that carries out trade through a network of agents.

Registered companies.

11

Sales agent

An individual entrepreneur or natural person who sells goods outside of a store (on the street, in transport, by order).

Distributors network companies.

Category

Subcategory

Requirements

Salesman

Registration and legal status

• Must be registered as a legal entity or individual entrepreneur.

• When carrying out licensed activities, must have a valid license.

Compliance normal

• Must comply with state standards, sanitary, veterinary and fire safety regulations.

• Be responsible for the quality and safety of the products sold.

Information For buyers

• In a visible place: name, TIN (tax ID number), address, opening hours, QR code.

• For individual entrepreneurs – registration certificate, PINFL (personal ID number).

• Indicate the license number and term (if necessary).

Working with consumers

• Provide access to information about the product (name, barcode, price, expiration date, storage and use conditions).

• Provide certificates, instructions, and warranty documents upon request.

• Issue a cash or sales receipt.

Rights consumer

• Provide the ability to check the weight and quality of the goods.

• Accept claims for returns and exchanges.

• Return money or replace goods if defects are found.

Restrictions

• Do not impose additional goods or services.

• Do not sell alcohol or tobacco products to persons under 21 years of age.

Trade object

Logistics equipment

• Equipped with equipment for storing and selling goods (refrigerators, display cases).

• Check scales in the sales area (mandatory for stores with ≥3 workstations).

Cash register technique

• Use of online cash registers or virtual cash registers.

• Possibility of payment by bank cards.

• Scanners for checking digital marking of goods (ASL belgisi).

Sanitation and safety

• Maintaining cleanliness and storage conditions.

• For food products, the presence of refrigerators and clean rooms is mandatory.

• For bread – separate shelves, inventory, disinfectants.

Information and documents

• At the entrance and in the checkout area – information about the seller, licenses, return rules.

• Storage of documents for inspection by regulatory authorities.

Mode works

• For state-owned stores – determined by the khokimiyats.

• For private properties – by the owner.

• When ≥10 work places are closed – mandatory notification of customers.

Goods

Quality and safety

• Compliance with standards and technical regulations.

• Mandatory certification for certain categories.

Marking

• Barcode is required.

• For excisable goods – excise stamps.

• For mandatory digital marking – Asl Belgisi.

Information For buyer

• Name, price, storage conditions, expiration date/service life, rules for safe use.

• Indication manufacturer and importer.

Peculiarities products nutrition

• Sale of perishable products only if refrigeration is available.

• Bread is sold in sanitary conditions, with information about the manufacturer and expiration dates.

Alcohol and tobacco

• Sale only with excise and digital stamps.

• Online trading and sales in pharmacies, schools, sports complexes, and train stations are prohibited.

• Prohibition of incentive promotions (distributions, discounts).

Prohibitions

• Products cannot be sold without documentation of legal origin (e.g. wild fauna/flora).

• It is prohibited to use uncertified measuring instruments.

• Free distribution of plastic bags is prohibited.

Category

Terms and Conditions return / exchange

Deadlines

Exceptions

Non-food goods proper qualities

The buyer has the right to exchange the product for a similar one (size, shape, style, color, etc.) or return it if it does not fit.

Within 10 days from the date of purchase (unless the seller has set a longer period).

• The product has not been used.

• Its presentation, labels and seals are preserved.

• There is proof of purchase (receipt, receipt).

The following items cannot be returned: items from the approved list (perfumes, household chemicals, medicines, etc.).

Non-food goods improper qualities

The buyer has the right to: demand a replacement for a similar product; exchange for another product with a price recalculation; free repair; price reduction; money refund.

During the warranty or expiration date, and if they are not established - within a reasonable time, but not more than 6 months.

• If the defects were specified by the seller in advance, no refund will be made.

Grocery goods improper qualities

The buyer may request a refund or exchange for a similar quality product.

Within 24 hours of purchase.

• If the product is damaged due to improper storage by the buyer, a return is not possible.

Technically complex or expensive goods (equipment, electronics, etc.)

If significant defects are found: exchange for a similar product or refund.

During the warranty period or expiration date.

• If the defects can be corrected, the buyer has the right to demand free repairs.

Seasonal goods (clothing, footwear, etc.)

Claims for defects can be submitted during the season (spring, summer, autumn, winter).

Determined by climatic conditions: winter – 25.11–10.03; spring – 11.03–14.05; summer – 15.05–15.09; autumn – 16.09–24.11.

• The period for filing claims is counted from the beginning of the season, not from the date of purchase.

Return at online trading

If the goods were purchased remotely, the consumer has the right to refuse them before delivery, and after delivery – within 7 days.

7 days

Exceptions: if the product is on the list of non-returnable items.

No.

Category goods

Examples

1

Perfumery and cosmetics goods

perfumes, colognes, creams, shampoos, decorative cosmetics

2

Textile and sewing products

fabrics, tulle, lace, meter materials

3

Underwear goods

underwear, nightgowns, hosiery

4

Goods personal hygiene

toothbrushes, combs, razors, hairpins, curlers

5

Medical products

medical devices, rehabilitation equipment, contact lenses

6

Medicinal means

drugs in pharmacies, biologically active additives

7

Printing products

books, magazines, newspapers, maps, sheet music, brochures

8

Audio and video products, software

CD / DVD discs, cassettes, flash drives, programs (if the packaging is damaged)

9

Household chemistry

detergents and cleaning agents, varnishes, paints, adhesives

10

Plants and animals

indoor plants, aquarium fish, ornamental animals

11

Jewelry products

goods made of precious metals and stones

12

Toys and goods for children

provided that they fall into the category of hygiene products (nipples, bottles, pacifiers)

13

Complex household appliances (after use)

refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, telephones, laptops - if they have been used and are in good working order

No.

Violation

Penalties (fines in BCV)

Normative base

1

Trade without registration as a legal entity or individual entrepreneur

for citizens – from 5 to 10 BCV;

for officials – up to 20 BCV;

confiscation of goods and proceeds

Code of Administrative Offences Art. 175

2

Violation of trade rules (no cash register, refusal to issue a receipt, concealment of information)

from 5 to 10 BCV for citizens;

up to 20 BCV for officials

Code of Administrative Offences Art. 178

3

Selling goods without a certificate or with forged documents

from 5 to 10 BCV for citizens;

from 10 to 20 BCV for officials;

up to 50 BCV for legal entities

Code of Administrative Offences Art. 164

4

Sale of expired goods that are hazardous to health

from 5 to 10 BCV; confiscation and compensation for damages are possible

Code of Administrative Offences Art. 167

5

Refusal to return, exchange or repair goods

fine from 3 to 5 BCV; mandatory compensation for damage to the consumer

Law "On Protection of Consumer Rights", Code of Administrative Offences

6

Sale of alcohol and tobacco to persons under 21 years of age

from 5 to 10 BCV for citizens;

from 10 to 20 BCV for officials

Code of Administrative Offences Art. 175-2

7

Sale of alcohol/tobacco without excise and digital stamps

a fine of 20 to 50 BCV; confiscation of goods; in case of large amounts – criminal liability

Code of Administrative Offences Art. 186, Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan

8

Sale of alcohol/tobacco in prohibited places (schools, pharmacies, sports facilities, train stations, etc.)

from 10 to 20 BCV for citizens;

up to 30 BCV for officials

Code of Administrative Offences Art. 175-2

9

Online sale of alcohol and tobacco

fine up to 20 BCV; confiscation of goods and blocking of the resource

Resolution of the Supreme Court No.75, Code of Administrative Offences

10

Sale of wild fauna, flora without documents

a fine of 5 to 15 BCV; confiscation of goods; in case of major damage – a criminal case

Law "On the Animal World", Code of Administrative Offences

11

Violation of sanitary and fire safety regulations

from 5 to 10 BCV for citizens;

up to 20 BCV for officials;

possible suspension of activities

Code of Administrative Offences Art. 101, 104

12

Violation of digital marking rules (lack of QR code, Asl belgisi, 2D scanners)

fine up to 20 BCV; ban on sale of goods

Resolution of the Supreme Court No.75, Code of Administrative Offences