Questions and answers

Some things are banned by Uzbek customs in courier parcels: alcohol and tobacco of any kind, weapons and ammunition, drones, laser pointers, narcotic and psychotropic substances, and printed or recorded material against the state order. Others can't travel on a passenger aircraft: flammable liquids, aerosols, loose lithium batteries and power banks, and anything corrosive or under pressure.

We also don't accept cash, precious jewellery, perishable food, or valuables that can't be declared properly. Some items, such as medicines, perfume and food supplements, are allowed only in limited amounts. Search for any item on the Prohibited items page before you pack.

Only over-the-counter medicines for personal use, in small quantities, sealed in their original packaging with the leaflet. Prescription-only and controlled medicines (strong painkillers, sleeping pills, psychotropic drugs) need a permit from the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, so we can't carry them.

Vitamins and food supplements are limited per recipient: customs allows only a small number of different products, one pack of each. List every medicine and supplement separately in the declaration, with its name and quantity. If you're not sure, send us a photo before you pack.

Cosmetics such as creams, shampoos and make-up are fine if they're sealed and aren't aerosols. Perfume and aftershave contain alcohol, which counts as a flammable liquid on aircraft, so we accept them only new, sealed in the original box, and in small quantities per parcel.

Uzbek customs also limits perfume per recipient, so declare each bottle separately with its volume. Aerosol deodorants, hairspray and nail polish remover can't be sent.

Yes, if the battery is inside the device or packed with it: laptops, tablets, cameras, electric toothbrushes and so on. Switch the device off, protect it from being switched on by accident, and pack it so it can't be crushed.

Loose lithium batteries, power banks, e-cigarettes and damaged or swollen batteries can't be sent: airlines don't allow them in the cargo hold. Declare each device separately, with its brand and model.

Yes, if it's shop-bought, sealed and keeps without a fridge: chocolate, sweets, biscuits, tea, coffee, baby formula and the like. Keep everything in its original packaging, and make sure it stays within its use-by date for the whole journey.

We can't take meat, fish, dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables, home-cooked food, seeds or plants: they spoil and need veterinary or phytosanitary certificates. Liquids such as syrup or oil must be tightly sealed and wrapped in a bag.

Yes, new or used, declared at its real value. An expensive phone can use up most of the recipient's $200 monthly allowance or go over it, so compare the value with the limit first. Several phones for one recipient may be treated as commercial goods.

In Uzbekistan, a phone brought from abroad works on local networks only after its IMEI is registered. The owner does this through uzimei.uz or my.gov.uz and pays the state fee; registering late costs more. Switch the phone off and pack it with padding.