Money & duty free for Uzbekistan
Exchange rates:
Uzbek SumC$1 = лв2413.49
€1 = лв3371.28
£1 = лв4014.8
US$1 = лв3237.5
Currency & Money
Uzbek so'm (UZS; symbol лв) = 100 tiyin. Banknotes are in denominations of 200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, and 1,000 so'm. Coins and tiyin denominations exist officially but are rarely used in practice.
Most transactions are conducted using banknotes. Prices are typically rounded to the nearest whole so'm, and visitors should expect to handle large numerical amounts due to inflation.
Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are increasingly accepted in Uzbekistan, particularly in international hotels, modern restaurants, shopping malls, supermarkets and larger tourist-oriented businesses in cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. Acceptance has improved significantly in recent years, but it is not universal. Smaller shops, traditional bazaars, family-run restaurants and services outside major urban centres often operate on a cash-only basis. JCB and American Express are rarely accepted. Visitors are therefore advised to carry some cash in local currency as a backup, especially when travelling beyond the main cities or shopping in markets.
ATMs are widely available in Uzbekistan, particularly in major cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, and are commonly found at banks, shopping centres, hotels and airports. Many ATMs accept international cards, especially Visa and MasterCard, and usually offer English-language menus. Most machines dispense Uzbek so'm only. Availability can be limited in smaller towns and rural areas, and machines may occasionally run out of cash or be offline. Some banks charge withdrawal fees, and daily limits may apply depending on both the local bank and the visitor's home bank, so travellers are advised to withdraw sufficient funds when reliable ATMs are available.
Travellers may bring foreign currency into Uzbekistan in unlimited amounts, but cash exceeding the equivalent of US$7,000 must be declared on arrival. Foreign visitors may take foreign currency out of the country only up to the amount declared on entry, less any officially exchanged sums, or amounts withdrawn from a bank account in Uzbekistan with supporting documents. The export of local currency (Uzbek so'm) is restricted. Visitors are advised to keep all customs declarations and exchange receipts, as these may be required on departure.
Currency exchange in Uzbekistan is straightforward and widely available. Official exchange services are offered at banks, licensed exchange bureaux, major hotels and international airports, and rates are regulated and transparent. Exchanging money outside authorised channels is illegal and not recommended. US Dollars and euros are the most easily exchanged foreign currencies, and notes should be clean and undamaged, as torn or marked banknotes may be refused. Exchange receipts should be kept, as they may be required if reconverting Uzbek so'm back into foreign currency on departure. Exchange facilities are readily found in major cities, while options may be more limited in smaller towns.
Uzbekistan duty free
The following goods may be imported into Uzbekistan by visitors without incurring customs duty:
• 2L of alcoholic drinks.
• Up to 200 cigarettes or 5 cigars or 100g of tobacco.
• Up to 300ml of perfume or eau de toilette.
• Other goods up to the value of US$1,000 (if arriving by plane), US$500 (if arriving by train) or US$300 (if arriving by car or by foot).
Before bringing any medication into Uzbekistan, travellers should check the official list of prohibited and restricted medicines, which is published in Uzbek and Russian. Some medicines that are legally available without a prescription in other countries may be restricted or banned in Uzbekistan. If you are carrying prescription medication, it is advisable to bring a copy of your doctor's prescription and declare the medicines on your customs declaration form on arrival. Certain common medicines, including those containing codeine, can cause difficulties if not properly declared. Failure to comply with the regulations may result in fines or criminal charges, and checks can be particularly strict at land border crossings.
Prohibited imports include narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors; printed materials, films and audio or video media that undermine state or social order, promote extremism, violence, terrorism, racism, or contain pornographic content; portable laser emitters; explosives and explosive devices; and certain unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
This list is not exhaustive. Travellers should consult the official customs website for the most up-to-date information.
Prohibited exports include antiques, archaeological objects, manuscripts, artworks, and other items of cultural or historical significance without an official export permit. The export of rare animals, plants, and products derived from them is also restricted. Precious metals, gemstones, and large quantities of local currency (Uzbek so'm) may not be exported without authorisation. Travellers should ensure they have the necessary permits and keep all purchase receipts, as customs checks can be strict on departure.
This list is not exhaustive. Travellers should consult the official customs website for the most up-to-date information.
You know where