THE ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF CUSTOMS SERVICES IN FOREIGN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

Abstract

This article analyzes the economic significance of customs services and their role in supporting entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan amid expanding trade flows and increasingly complex supply and logistics chains. The relevance of the study is explained by growing demands for faster customs clearance, greater transparency and security, the need to improve the risk management system, and the wider adoption of digital solutions. The research approach combines a review of relevant academic literature, an analysis of regulatory and legal documents, and descriptive–dynamic comparative analysis based on official statistics. The results indicate rising concentration in the structure of imports and exports and an increase in associated risks, thereby substantiating policy directions focused on risk-based control, automation, and the reduction of the “human factor.” The author interprets customs authorities as a strategic trade infrastructure and provides practical recommendations. The study’s scientific contribution lies in systematizing the mechanisms through which customs services facilitate trade, identifying key indicators, and proposing areas for improving practical reform measures.