Ukraine and Uzbekistan scrap permits for international freight transport

"Today, together with Uzbekistan's Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov, we signed a protocol on the liberalization of bilateral and transit freight transport," Kalashnyk said.

What will change for carriers

Under the agreement, Ukrainian freight carriers will be able to operate between the two countries without permits. As a result, operations on this route will no longer depend on the number of available permits.

This is expected to reduce the number of administrative procedures and the time needed to organize transportation.

According to Kalashnyk, simplifying transportation is especially important because traditional logistics routes between Ukraine and Central Asian countries have changed significantly since the start of the full-scale war.

"That is why we are working on alternative routes and simplifying transport conditions for Ukrainian businesses," the minister said.

Trade between Ukraine and Uzbekistan

According to Kalashnyk, trade between Ukraine and Uzbekistan amounted to about $315 million in 2025. This was 14% more than a year earlier.

The ministry expects that simplifying road freight transport will help companies in both countries develop trade and make the delivery of goods easier.

Ukraine also continues to expand the geography of its transport visa-free regime. Liberalized freight transport is currently in place with 38 countries, including European Union member states.

Ukraine and the EU signed an agreement on the transport visa-free regime in 2022. It allowed Ukrainian carriers to carry out bilateral and transit freight transport without separate permits.

In September 2025, Ukraine and the European Commission agreed to extend the agreement for another 15 months, at least until March 2027.