WPC certificate/ WPC license is an authority certificate that allows Indian importers to import radio and wireless equipment from other nations. It is issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Any radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, RC cars, boats, drones, UAVs, ZigBee, Bluetooth devices, etc., must have WPC ETA approval before being imported into India. Without prior WPC approval, customs officials will seize radio equipment imported into India at the border.
For phones, computers, and routers, separate WPC permission is not necessary. Before the WPC certificate and ETA (Equipment Type Approval) certification number are provided, the product must go through the certification process, including application, evaluation, and testing, because the factory inspection is not required currently. Currently, there is no requirement for factory inspection, which is why Any approved testing facility outside India can conduct the testing.
This article contains all information you desire about the WPC certification for importers and the legalities involved in the WPC ETA registration.
WPC certificate full form is Wireless Planning and Coordination. WPC was established in 1952 as a division of the Ministry of Communications and is in charge of frequency spectrum management. The WPC headquarters is in New Delhi, with regional branches in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Guwahati. WPC wing is a Ministry of Communications and Information Technology division responsible for allotting the frequency spectrum, issuing amateur radio licenses, conducting exams and monitoring the radio waves.
Additionally, it is responsible for issuing wireless certifications such as the WPC ETA certificate.
Import of Wireless Equipment that operates on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth requires a WPC license for import. In India, WPC Certification is required for all Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and ZigBee-enabled devices.
The following devices fall under the WPC mandatory products list.
1.Bluetooth Devices
2.Wi-Fi Router
3.Smart Speaker
4.Wireless Repeater
5.Walkie-Talkie
6.Wireless Terminal
7.Smart/Wi-Fi
8.Enabled Bulb
8.Wireless Mouse
9.Bluetooth
10.Headphones
11.Wireless
12.Transmitter
13.Smart Watch
14.Wireless Camera
15.Wireless Nano USB
16.Hotspot Devices
17.Wireless POS Terminal
18.Smart TV
19.Smart home Gateway
20.Wireless Pendrive
21.RFID Reader
22.Wireless Receiver
23.Drones
24.Wireless Plugs
25.Wireless barcode Scanner
26.Wireless Microphone
You can get a WPC certificate by following these steps:
Step 1: Register on the WPC online Portal
Register on the Saral Sanchar portal for the online application. The first step of WPC license registration is to submit an online application on the DOT portal and specify the commodities you wish to import. Once you submit the online application, you will get an import ID generated by the system.
Step 2: Click on Apply new ETA
While applying for the new ETA, you must provide the self-declaration of every commodity you are exporting. Use your import ID to search whether your equipment falls under the equipment exempted from WPC ETA Approval. Equipment that utilizes different RF(Radio Frequency) can be checked by entering the ID and captcha.
Step 3: Get RF test reports
RF(Radio Frequency) test report issued by an accredited laboratory is mandatory for ETA approval and WPC license registration. RF test reports are required to verify and ensure that the imported equipment falls under the specified frequency range and meets the safety standards.
A new rule regarding RF testing was introduced in 2021, according to which the RF testing reports from Indian (local) accredited labs will be accepted. Earlier, test reports from abroad were acceptable. Moreover, a factory inspection is not required for a WPC license.
WPC ETA certificate is issued only if the radio frequency of the equipment in the RF test report meets the standard list of WPC mandatory products.
Step 4: WPC application
Once all the requirements are met, you will be granted the application for the WPC approval of the device you are importing.
Step 5: Submit the required documents
Prepare the documents required for WPC certificate registration and submit them online and offline to the Wireless Planning and Coordination Authority. Once your documents are submitted, they will be sent for verification by the WPC officials.
Step 6: Submit the Government Fees
You must pay the government fees online for WPC registration. You can pay online through debit/credit cards or wallets.
Step 7: Issuance of WPC certificate
After the documents are verified, the application is submitted. WPC wing will issue the WPC certificate for the specific device. Importers can easily import wireless equipment in India after getting the WPC license.
The government fee for the application of WPC certificate is ₹10000, and the Professional Fees start from ₹7000 and go upto ₹12000 depending on the WPC license consultants. The entire process takes 5 to 7 working days if you have the RF test reports ready.
The Fee structure of the WPC license is as follows:
| Particulars | Fees |
|---|---|
| Government Fee | ₹ 10,000 |
| Application Fee | ₹ 7,500 |
| Total Cost | ₹ 17,500 |
Note : The aforementioned Fees is exclusive of GST.
The following documents are required for WPC ETA Registration:
1. Company Incorporation certificate
2. GST registration certificate
3. Import Export Code(IEC Certificate)
4. Purchase Order(PO) of the imported equipment
5. Receipt of online fee
6. Address Proof of the Applicant entity
7. RF Test reports from ISO accredited foreign laboratory or an NABL-accredited
Laboratory.
8. Letter of Authorization
9. Product technical details
Importer’s License – WPC issues an importer’s license to the importers of wireless products in India. You are allowed to sell wireless devices imported from abroad by getting the Importer’s license.
ETA(Equipment Type Approval) – Any wireless device that operates in the de-licensed frequency range must first receive Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from WPC before being allowed to be imported into India. Each product made in India must also have a WPC ETA certificate. These goods include RFID, cell phones, Wi-Fi, RFID, Bluetooth gadgets and others.
Network License – An organization seeking to use the nation’s restricted radio frequency capacity to offer communication services such as mobile networks, cable, and DTH must get a network license.
Avoids Hassle during the customs clearance:
WPC license is the proof of every minute detail and the Frequency test reports of the device. The custom clearance during the import of wireless products becomes much easier when you have a WPC certificate.
Maintaining national security:
Wireless products frequently pose a serious threat to the security of our country. Therefore, tight rules have been set by the Wireless Planning and Coordination wing to evaluate the internal architecture of wireless devices.
Preventing frequency insertion:
If a user is not careful, many products that operate on de-licensed frequencies could interfere with the functionality of other wireless items. Such invasions are removed with ETA certificates.
Ensures the import of better-quality devices:
RF tests are done in an accredited Lab where tests are done to check whether the equipment is in working condition or not.
Foreign Manufacturers – Foreign manufacturers of wireless devices having no branch office in India, must apply for WPC ETA approval by appointing an Authorized Indian Representative(AIR).
Domestic manufacturers – Manufacturers whose branch office is located in India can apply for the ETA approval without appointing any Authorized Indian representative.
Importers of wireless devices – The importers require an importer license for Wireless Equipments.
The procedure of WPC registration is simple when you are guided properly. Team will provide complete assistance in filling the application form with due care and provide an error-free application at the most affordable price.
The dedicated WPC license professional will be assigned to you to guide you through the document requirements and help you sign the documents digitally through a class 2 DSC. In addition, you will get regular updates on the status of your WPC certificate.
You can apply for a WPC license in 3 simple steps:
Any wireless device that operates in the de-licensed frequency range must first receive Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from WPC before being allowed to enter India. Products like Bluetooth handsets, mobile phones, Wi-Fi-enabled devices, RFID devices, and others are examples of this equipment.
To apply for WPC ETA approval, you must apply online through the Saral Sanchar portal. You can register by providing the login ID and password that will be sent to you on your registered mobile number.
After the submission of RF test reports and required documents, you need to pay the government fees of RS 10,000 Bharatkosh portal. Finally, you will be granted a WPC ETA certificate.
WPC certificate is a license that allows importing and selling of bluetooth and wifi enabled devices in India. There are certain frequency range of devices that required WPC approval before getting commercially available in the indian market.
It takes 5 to 7 working days to process the complete application for the WPC certificate.
You can log in to the saral Sanchar portal to know the status of your application. The online portal can also be used to contact the WPC nodal office, and the applicant can also submit additional documents through the portal.
The Radio Frequency(RF) Test report of the wireless equipment is mandatory for importing the device. The test must be done in a DOT-accredited laboratory.
WPC ETA approval is required for wireless and Bluetooth-enabled products that operate in the de-licensed frequency bands (such as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). This includes devices like Wi-Fi routers, smartwatches, Bluetooth speakers, wireless keyboards, and certain loT devices intended for import or sale in India.
Yes, in some cases. If the product falls under the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), then both BIS certification and WPC ETA approval are needed. BIS ensures product safety standards, while WPC ETA ensures that the wireless product complies with radio frequency norms.
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