Page 57 - The Stans of Central Asia: Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan

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part of the world. And inevitably, when one is found it is out of toilet paper, or soap, or both.
Carry a travel-sized roll of toilet paper or packets of tissues along something to clean your
hands—like anti-bacterial gel or hand wipes—and you’ll be prepared no matter what. Rest
stops on the road will be widely spaced, and may be extremely basic. (There’s a reason we call
this trip an adventure!)

Shopping

There may be scheduled visits to local shops during your adventure. There is no requirement
to make a purchase during these stops, and any purchase made is a direct transaction with
the shop in question, subject to the vendor’s terms of purchase. O.A.T. is not responsible for
purchases you make on your trip or for the shipment of your purchases.

Returns

If you discover an issue with an item, you should contact the vendor directly and expect that
any resolution will take longer than it would in the U.S. We recommend that you keep a copy
of all your receipts, invoices, or contracts, along with the shop’s contact information. Keep in
mind, local practice may vary from U.S. standards, so don’t assume that you have a certain
number of days after the purchase to speak up or that you are guaranteed a refund.

Crafts & Souvenirs

Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan is famous with for ceramics, felt caps, clothes, rugs, tent decorations,
and woodwork. It is generally easier to get carpets out of Uzbekistan than Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan: Turkmen carpets, hats, felts are world famous. However, you should know that
taking carpets out of the country is often a long and tiring process. Ask your Trip Leader for
his or her advice before purchasing a carpet.

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and traditional bazaars are still very much a part of daily life here. Traditional souvenirs
include ceramics, rugs, copperware and brassware, wooden boxes, and embroidery—but
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opportunity to interact with the locals.

U.S. Customs Regulations & Shipping Charges
For all things related to U.S. Customs, the ultimate authority is the U.S. Bureau of Customs &
Border Protection. Their website, www.cbp.gov has the answers to the most frequently asked
questions. Or you can call them at 1-877-227-5511.

The top three points to know are:

• At time of writing, your personal duty-free allowance is $800 for items brought with
you. Items totaling more than $800 are subject to duty fees.

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