Under new legislative amendments, Tajikistan will impose a recycling fee on the import of all types of batteries, except for those weighing up to 0.5 kg. The changes were approved by the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower house of parliament) on December 3.
From now on, importers will be required to pay a recycling fee when clearing batteries and electric cells through customs.
According to Khurshed Karimzoda, head of the Customs Service under the Government of Tajikistan, the fee will be collected only once at the time of import and the funds will be transferred to the state budget.
The amount of the fee depends on the battery's weight:
· From 0.5 to 10 kg: 37.5 somonis;
· From 10.1 to 30 kg: 75 somonis;
· Over 30 kg: 2.6 somonis per kilogram.
Karimzoda stated that the primary goal of the measure is to ensure environmental safety, protect public health, and prevent harm caused by hazardous waste resulting from battery use and disposal.
He clarified that the fee applies to all types of energy storage devices — from electric vehicle batteries and household appliances to energy systems used in solar and wind power plants. However, to avoid placing an extra financial burden on consumers, batteries weighing up to 0.5 kg — such as those used in watches, mobile phones, laptops, tablets, toys, and lighting devices — are exempt from the fee.
MP Siyovoush Nabotzoda, commenting on the draft law, emphasized that the introduction of the recycling fee will help prevent the accumulation of hazardous waste, strengthen control over used batteries, and enable proper recycling at the national level.
He added that imported batteries, considered environmentally hazardous, will be subject to a mandatory fee during customs clearance. This measure is expected to increase import transparency, strengthen customs oversight, and provide an additional source of revenue for the state budget.
The new law will come into force once approved by the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament) and signed by the president. Experts believe the law may lead to higher battery prices in the Tajik market.
Notably, the introduction of a recycling fee for electric vehicle batteries coincides with the parliament’s decision to exempt electric vehicle imports from taxes and customs duties for a period of 10 years. Previously, EV owners had complained about high prices, and the new legislation may again impact market costs.
According to official statistics, around 40,000 electric vehicles are currently registered in Tajikistan.
It’s worth noting that in December 2023, Tajikistan introduced a mandatory recycling fee for all types of vehicles. In February 2024, the fee for imported cars was raised to 16,000 somonis, sparking concern among local entrepreneurs.
