Pakistan, Uzbekistan Expand Digital Customs Cooperation
Both countries agreed to deepen customs integration through digital connectivity and information sharing during a meeting in Tashkent.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in International Trade
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Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to strengthen customs cooperation through expanded digital integration and enhanced information sharing. The understanding was reached at a high-level meeting in Tashkent led by Pakistan's FBR Member Customs (Operations) Syed Shakeel Shah.
Why it matters
The agreement aims to improve border security and facilitate regional trade between the two countries. Uzbekistan is the first country connected to Pakistan's Single Window platform for advance customs information exchange.
Uzbekistan is the first country connected to Pakistan's Single Window platform for advance customs information exchange. No comparator or timeline for the expanded connectivity was reported.
The players
Syed Shakeel Shah
Shah is FBR Member Customs (Operations) and leads Pakistan's delegation in the customs cooperation talks.
The details
Both sides agreed to expand digital connectivity to include transit trade data and to establish technical working groups to prepare draft protocols. Discussions also covered mutual recognition of Authorised Economic Operator programmes and the establishment of National Targeting Centres.
Timeline
The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting in Tashkent, with the article published November 6, 2026.
Market Dynamics
The Pakistani delegation is attending a conference jointly organized by UNODC and the WCO under the Passenger and Cargo Control Programme, placing the bilateral agreement within that multilateral framework. The enhanced data exchange is expected to reduce cargo clearance times across regional trade routes.
The enhanced data exchange is expected to reduce cargo clearance times for traders moving goods between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. The technical working groups will prepare draft protocols aimed at deepening digital integration, though no timeline was specified.
The takeaway
Digital data exchange between customs authorities can shorten clearance times for cross-border cargo. Traders dealing with these corridors should watch for the draft protocols that the technical working groups will produce.
Further reading
For related coverage of cross-border commerce and customs policy, see International Trade.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Customs Today Newspaper.
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