WPC Certificate

A WPC certificate, also known as Wireless Planning and Coordination certificate, is a document issued by the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing of the Ministry of Communications in India. This certificate is mandatory for the import, sale, or use of certain wireless equipment and devices in India. It ensures that the wireless equipment complies with the specified technical standards and regulations set by the government to prevent interference with other wireless communications and to ensure efficient spectrum utilization. Obtaining a WPC certificate involves an approval process where the equipment's specifications and test reports are reviewed to ensure compliance.

WPC Certificate/ license for importing wireless Devices-

WPC certificate/WPC license is an authorization certificate that enables Indian importers to purchase radio and wireless equipment from other countries. It was issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Any radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, RC vehicles, boats, drones, UAVs, ZigBee, Bluetooth devices, and so on, must be approved by WPC ETA before being imported into India. Without prior WPC clearance, customs authorities will impound radio equipment brought into India at the border.

Separate WPC approval is unnecessary for phones, laptops, and routers. Because factory inspection is not necessary at this time, the product must go through the certification procedure, which includes application, assessment, and testing, before receiving the WPC certificate and ETA (Equipment Type Approval) certification number. Currently, there is no necessity for factory inspection, thus any recognized testing center outside of India can undertake the testing.

This page covers all of the information you need regarding WPC certification for importers and the regulations involved with WPC ETA registration.

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WPC Certificate Sample

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What is WPC Certificate Or WPC ETA Certification?

WPC stands for Wireless Planning and Coordination. WPC was created in 1952 as a branch of the Ministry of Communications and is in charge of managing frequency spectrum. The WPC’s headquarters are in New Delhi, with regional sections in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Guwahati.

The WPC wing is a Ministry of Communications and Information Technology branch in charge of allocating the frequency spectrum, providing amateur radio licenses, conducting tests, and monitoring radio waves.

It is also responsible for granting wireless certifications, such as the WPC ETA certificate.

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Types of WPC certification

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.

Which Products require a WPC Certificate for import?

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:.

  • Bluetooth Devices
  • Wi-Fi Router
  • Smart Speaker
  • Wireless Repeater
  • Walkie-Talkie
  • Wireless Terminal
  • Smart /Wi-Fi Enabled Bulb
  • Wireless Mouse
  • Bluetooth Headphones
  • Wireless Transmitter
  • Smart Watch
  • Wireless Camera
  • Wireless Nano USB
  • Hotspot Devices
  • Wireless POS Terminal
  • Smart TV
  • Smart home Gateway
  • Wireless Pend rive
  • RFID Reader
  • Wireless Receiver
  • Drones
  • Wireless Plugs
  • Wireless barcode Scanner
  • Wireless Microphone

Documents required for WPC Certification

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

Who is Eligible for WPC ETA certification?

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.

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How to Apply for a WPC Certificate Or WPC license?

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 to see whether your equipment falls under the category of equipment exempt 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. The WPC wing will issue the WPC certificate for the specific device. Importers can easily import wireless equipment in India after getting the WPC license.

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