As of 18 September 2019, all importers and manufacturers of mobile phone devices (including those imported for personal use) must register them in the special database.
The Regulation was approved on the registration procedure for mobile devices used, imported and produced both for sale or personal use in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan (PKM dated September 17, 2019 No. 778).
Registration of mobile devices using international unique identification codes started on April 1, 2019. It was clarified that registration requirement applies to SIM-enabled tablets, smartphones, mobile / functional phones, portable devices (including PDAs), adapters, WLAN routers, IoT devices, vehicles, e-books, communication modules, computers, modems and wearable devices.
Until November 1, 2019, registration takes place automatically when the device (activation) is connected to the networks of mobile operators, and from 1 November 2019 - upon requests from individuals, importers and manufacturers. Registration will be free until December 1, 2019 after which the following charges will start to apply to:
• all importers - 20% of DBV,
• all manufacturers - 10% of DFV,
• all individuals, if registration occurs within 30 calendar days after the first network event, - 20% of BRV, after 30 days - 25% of BRV;
• all non-resident individuals using the SIM card of a local mobile operator for more than 30 active calendar days, - 20% of instant discounts (when using less than 30 days or a foreign SIM card in roaming - free of charge).
If a device has more than one IMEI code (for example, a phone with 2 SIM cards), a registration fee is charged separately for each of them.
The IMEI code database consists of four lists:
• white - registered codes; use of mobile communication services is permitted;
• black - unregistered codes; use of mobile communication services is prohibited;
• grey - the code is not included in the white or black lists, but access to mobile communication services is allowed for a period not exceeding 30 calendar days from the moment of the first network event;
• linked white - the codes are cloned or not recognized, but are automatically registered with a bunch of IMEI code with the subscriber's phone number (IMEI - MSISDN) until November 1, 2019, or are new mobile devices that meet the requirements established by GSMA with the IMEI code entered in IMEI code database with another mobile device.
Registration procedure depends on the applicant. The importer and the manufacturing organization can do this in private with the system operator or through EPIGU. It takes 3 business days to consider the applicant’s questionnaire and register IMEI codes. Then, within 1 business day, the applicant will receive an invoice for payment. When funds are received by the operator or registrar in 1 business day, he will add all IMEI codes to the white list and notify the applicant about this.
Individuals have more options - explicit order, via SMS and / or USSD requests, mail, EPIGU or the site of the system operator. At the same time, mobile devices imported through international mail or courier shipments are registered only in explicit order with the system operator or registrar, for which you need to present an envelope with a barcode of the postal identifier and a date stamp. The number of imported devices presented for registration is checked for compliance with the limit norms for duty-free import (see here and here) and if it exceeds them, the devices are registered after customs payments. Consideration of the questionnaire and registration will take 3 business hours, 1 hour - presentation of the invoice for payment and another 1 hour - the inclusion of IMEI codes in the white list and notification of the completion of registration.
Non-residents are given permission to use mobile services for 30 calendar days from the moment of the first network registration. If a non-resident uses the SIM card of a local mobile operator for more than 30 calendar days, s/he must register the IMEI codes of his devices manually themselves.
Uses can check the status of the IMEI code, identify unidentified, cloned, lost and stolen mobile devices before purchasing them via SMS / USSD request or on the website www.uzimei.uz. Devices that are already registered cannot be re-registered.
The document was published in the National Legislation Database and entered into force on September 18, 2019.