Is there an export tariff on energy storage batteries from Tajikistan

Tajikistan's official trade regime has relatively liberal tariff rates that range between zero and fifteen percent, with the overall trade-weighted import tariff averaging out to around seven percent. In practice a foreign company must deal with a bureaucratic system which may require additional resources for legal support.

In 2022, Tajikistan's net energy imports amounted to 44,858 TJ, roughly 28% of total energy supply. In 2023, the oil and gas imports constitute the largest share of Tajikistan's imports value, which is 16.78% (approximately $957,46 million).

In 2023, the oil and gas imports constitute the largest share of Tajikistan's imports value, which is 16.78% (approximately $957,46 million). However, to enhance national energy security, Tajikistan aims to transform its role to an energy exporter, thanks to its still untapped hydropower potential coupled with solar and wind.

Energy Tariffs, notably electricity and heating tariffs, are subsidized in Tajikistan to alleviate poverty. Indeed, nearly 50% of families in Tajikistan live below the poverty line. Yet, tariffs have also been subsidized for large industrial consumers such as the aluminum producer TALCO and for the agricultural sector.

An interesting issue will be the imposition of tariffs. There are existing tariffs pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on some Chinese-origin lithium-ion EV batteries and non-lithium-ion battery parts, which were increased to 25% in September 2024.

Mitigating tariff risk in battery energy storage system (BESS) projects is crucial for ensuring project financial viability, as tariff changes can significantly affect cost structures and overall project economics.