Ukraine and the Republic of Uzbekistan are liberalising international road freight transport. Ukraine’s Minister for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport Mykola Kalashnyk and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov signed the relevant Protocol. The document introduces amendments to the agreement between the two governments on international road transport.
The signed document establishes at the interstate level the possibility of carrying out bilateral and transit freight transport without permits. As a result, carriers will no longer need to obtain or use permits for such transport operations between Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
“Today we are taking an important practical step for Ukrainian carriers by moving to a permit-free system for bilateral and transit freight transport. This removes an administrative barrier for businesses, simplifies the work of carriers and creates better conditions for developing trade between our countries. For Ukraine, it is particularly important to expand the geographical scope of liberalised road transport and establish stable logistics links with our partners,” Minister Mykola Kalashnyk said.
Until now, international road transport between Ukraine and Uzbekistan has been carried out on the basis of permits. The system involved quotas and the exchange of permits between the two countries, creating additional administrative procedures for carriers.
The liberalisation of road transport is also expected to contribute to the development of trade and economic relations between the two countries. In 2025, trade between Ukraine and Uzbekistan amounted to approximately $315 million, up 14% compared with 2024. Ukrainian exports totalled around $186.5 million, while imports from Uzbekistan amounted to $128.5 million.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, traditional logistics routes have changed significantly. Freight flows between Ukraine and Central Asian countries are being redirected to alternative routes across the Black and Caspian seas, as well as through countries in Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Under these conditions, simplifying road freight transport is particularly important for maintaining stable logistics and developing trade.
The signing of the Protocol marks a key stage in establishing a permit-free regime for bilateral and transit freight transport under the intergovernmental agreement.
For reference: Ukraine currently has liberalised freight transport arrangements with 38 countries, including EU member states. In June this year, Ukraine signed a road transport agreement with Albania establishing a permit-free regime for freight vehicles.
