Uzbekistan to fine LPG stations over household cylinder refills

Uzbekistan will fine automotive gas stations 1.32 million–2.2 million sum for dispensing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) into household cylinders, with the penalty taking effect on February 5, 2027.

What does the ruling change?

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the amendments on November 2. They add Article 101-1 to the Code of Administrative Responsibility for breaching retail-sale rules for liquefied hydrocarbon gas and supplement fire-safety legislation.

The fine, set at three to five base calculation units (BRV), applies to station operators, not to a consumer who requests a refill. The amendments take effect three months after official publication, on February 5, 2027.

How late are household LPG deliveries?

At a September meeting with the president, officials said LPG supplies about 3.8 million consumers and nearly 2,000 social-service facilities. Supplying each consumer with 20 kg a month requires roughly 912,000 tonnes annually.

Checks found that 22% of consumers received LPG at intervals longer than 46 days. Some families consequently bought fuel at automotive gas stations at market prices.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance calculated in October that the average interval between household LPG deliveries was 30–35 days. In some regions, it ran significantly longer.

Economist Otzbek Bakirov wrote: “If ‘Khududgaz’ or the newly created LPG-Trade do not deliver propane to the public on time, there is no punishment. But if people themselves drive to a gas station to fill a cylinder, a large fine is prescribed for the refilling.”

• In Ishtykhon District, Samarkand Region, one resident received gas every 53 days on average. During January–July, he received 80 kg at the regulated price and bought another 60 kg at 11,000 sum per kilogram.
• In Kushteppa District, Fergana Region, one resident received deliveries every 71 days on average. She bought an additional 24 kg at 13,500 sum per kilogram.

Government cited these cases to justify reforms to LPG deliveries and a review of regulated prices.

How do price and supply rules change?

A Cabinet of Ministers resolution dated October 31 raised the regulated LPG price for households from 2,000 to 5,000 sum per kilogram. The higher tariff takes effect on November 15.

Socially vulnerable families receive compensation of 3,000 sum per kilogram. The payment covers no more than 20 kg per month, putting the maximum monthly support at 60,000 sum.

The president approved a household LPG supply reform in September. From November 1, LPG-Trade, created with the participation of Hududgaztaminot, organizes commodity-exchange purchases and deliveries to consumers. Private entrepreneurs may also supply imported LPG.

Authorities attribute the change to declining domestic production, a growing share of costlier imported gas and the need to meet delivery schedules.

What does this change for households facing delays?

The practical effect for households remains limited. The amendment penalizes stations that fill cylinders, not consumers seeking fuel, and it leaves unresolved the question of penalties for suppliers that miss delivery dates.

Consumers with late or irregular scheduled deliveries still have to balance waiting for regular service against purchasing LPG at a station’s market price.

Which other fire-safety rules take effect?

The same law makes mandatory fire insurance a condition for markets, trading complexes and entertainment centres. Officials operating without the required insurance face fines of 50–75 BRV, or 22–33 million sum.

A repeat breach within one year raises that fine to 75–100 BRV, or 33–44 million sum. Fire-audit violations carry fixed penalties of 15 BRV (6.6 million sum) for citizens and 30 BRV (13.2 million sum) for officials.

The law also expands the powers of fire-supervision agencies and clarifies safety requirements for buildings and structures.

The February 2027 fine clarifies who pays at the pump, but not who guarantees an on-time cylinder delivery.