NON-TARIFF REGULATION AND CUSTOMS PERFORMANCE: THE IMPACT OF THE AUTHORIZED DEALER REQUIREMENT ON HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE IMPORTS IN UZBEKISTAN

The thesis examines how the authorized dealer requirement introduced in Uzbekistan in February 2024 affected household appliance imports and what it implies for customs performance. In January–July 2024, appliance imports fell by 27.5% in value, but the effect differed across products: air conditioner imports fell by 51.2% and TV imports by 43.3% in units, while washing machine imports rose by 16.5%. In 2025, imports recovered and domestic refrigerator output grew 3.6 times. It is argued that in this segment the non-tariff measure had a stronger effect than tariffs, and that customs performance should be measured by the quality of control and information per unit of goods rather than by revenue.