Tajikistan Implements New Export Duties to Boost Domestic Processing

Government Approves New Export Duty Structure

The government of Tajikistan has officially approved revised export duties on a range of raw materials and semi-processed goods. The measure, outlined in government decree No. 350, came into effect on June 14, 2025. This strategic move is designed to stimulate domestic processing industries and reduce the country's reliance on exporting unrefined resources.

Shift from Fixed Tariffs to Market-Based Duties

A key reform introduced by the new policy is the replacement of fixed tariffs with duties calculated as a percentage of a product's market value. Previously, export duties included rates such as €300 per ton for leather, 20% or €100 per ton for silk and cocoons, and 10% for cotton fiber. Under the new regulations, export duties will fluctuate with global market prices, allowing for more adaptive regulation.

The revised duties apply to a broad spectrum of commodities, including:

• Cotton fiber
• Leather
• Silk
• Cocoons
• Minerals and concentrates
• Plant juices
• Other semi-processed goods

However, approximately 34 categories of raw materials are reported to remain exempt from these new export duties.

Official Stance and Economic Objectives

According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the reform is intended to promote higher-value production within Tajikistan. First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Ashurboy Solekhzoda stated, 'The goal of this resolution is to reduce the export of raw materials and support the production of high-value goods.'

This policy aligns with Tajikistan's broader economic objectives to enhance its industrial capacity and reduce its vulnerability to external shocks, particularly given its historical dependence on exports of raw materials like cotton and aluminum. The country's approach mirrors similar policies implemented by neighboring states, such as Kazakhstan, which imposes export duties on 44 product categories, and Uzbekistan, with duties on over 86 types of goods, some reaching as high as 100%. These regional measures collectively aim to foster domestic value-added industries and improve export competitiveness.