Uzbekistan Drone Laws
Import, Sale, and Use of Drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are Prohibited in Uzbekistan.
As of January 1, 2015, the import, sale, and use of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) are strictly prohibited in Uzbekistan, following a resolution by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In 2019, the country's Criminal Code was amended to include Article 244-4, which introduced criminal liability for violations of this ban. On March 15, 2024, the penalties associated with this law were commuted.
The illegal import, sale, acquisition, storage, or use of drones, components, and spare parts, after administrative penalties have been applied for the same offenses, are punishable by a fine of twenty-five to fifty base calculation units* or corrective labor for up to three years, or restriction of freedom for up to three years, or imprisonment for up to three years.
Further violations:
a) committed repeatedly or by a known offender;
b) committed by someone using their official position;
c) committed in collusion with others;
d) resulting in moderate or severe bodily harm,
are punishable by restriction of freedom from three to five years or imprisonment from three to five years.
If these actions result in death,
they are punishable by imprisonment from five to eight years.
For actions leading to:
a) loss of life;
b) a catastrophe;
c) other severe consequences,
the punishment increases to imprisonment from eight to ten years.
However, if a person voluntarily surrenders their drones, components, or spare parts, they may be exempt from liability under the first part of this article.
* 8.5-17 million Uzbek sums = 670-1340 USD (as of August 2024).
How to Legally Film with a Drone in Uzbekistan
The only legal way to film with a drone in Uzbekistan is by obtaining official permission from the relevant government organizations. Creative groups can apply for permission to import drones for creating photo and video content that showcases Uzbekistan's tourism potential. This process requires applying to the State Committee for Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, and the "Uzbekkino" Agency, along with providing detailed information about the drone operators and filming locations to the Ministry of Defense and the State Inspection for Flight Safety. This option is available only to legal entities and involves significant bureaucratic procedures.
Where You Can and Cannot Film with a Drone in Uzbekistan
Even with permission to use a drone, there are strict regulations on where drones can fly. Drone flights are prohibited within a 3 km radius of airports, near the state borders, and around military and other strategic facilities. While these restrictions typically do not affect filming at popular tourist locations, certain areas, like Termez, are in no-fly zones due to their proximity to the city’s airport and the border with Afghanistan.
For more detailed and official information about drone use in Uzbekistan, visit https://www.uzcaa.uz/en/drones.