Tajikistan to digitize customs with UN-backed ASYCUDA system

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (MNTV) — Tajikistan will launch a digital customs system on October 1 to modernize cross-border trade procedures and strengthen oversight of imports and exports.

The platform, known as ASYCUDA (Automated System for Customs Data), is being rolled out by the Customs Service under the Government of Tajikistan as part of a nationwide digitalization drive. 

Officials say the reform will simplify clearance procedures, speed up border operations, and reduce opportunities for corruption, according to Asia Plus.

Under the new framework, traders and transport companies must electronically submit advance information about goods and vehicles at least two hours before arrival at checkpoints. Authorities stress that this requirement will streamline border controls while ensuring more efficient inspections. 

The system incorporates automated processing and artificial intelligence to handle customs declarations, accounting, and transit operations, reducing reliance on paperwork.

ASYCUDA is a customs management platform developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and is already in use in more than 100 countries. 

Its latest version, ASYCUDAWorld, enables electronic submissions, digital signatures, and biometric verification, helping governments improve transparency and revenue collection while aligning national procedures with global trade standards.

For Tajikistan, adoption of the platform represents a significant policy shift. Officials say it will not only accelerate clearance times for businesses but also enhance fiscal oversight, strengthen cashless transactions, and provide reliable trade data for policy analysis. The Customs Service described the reform as “an important stage in the digitalization of customs processes.”

Regional analysts note that Tajikistan, a landlocked country heavily dependent on cross-border trade with neighbors such as China, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, has long faced bureaucratic hurdles at customs checkpoints. 

By aligning with international practices, the government hopes to reduce delays, attract investment, and foster integration into the global economy.

The transition also comes amid Central Asia’s broader push to digitize trade logistics and expand e-governance. Observers say that Tajikistan’s use of the UN-backed platform could position it as a more predictable and transparent trading partner in a region where informal practices and corruption have historically impeded commerce.