Market access requirements and ICT Type Approval Desktop PC

EXTENDMAX – Desktop computer (desktop PC, AIO PC) is an almost indispensable working tool in corporate offices, factories, or used in the family to study, work, entertainment, play games. Top desktop brands imported into Vietnam include Apple iMac, Dell OptiPlex, HP AIO ProOne, Fujitsu Eprimo, Lenovo ThinkCentre... In addition, desktop computers are also manufactured and assembled in the Vietnam with many different brands, such as Phong Vu desktop computer, ELEAD FPT desktop PCs. Are the market access requirements to import desktop computers difficult? What documents do you need to prepare to import a desktop computer? What is the HS code of a desktop computer? Is the desktop subject to product quality inspection registration for imported goods? Are All in One (AIO) computers subject to ICT type approval or regulation conformity announcement? Are computers imported for self-use exempt from regulation? What is the difference between import procedures for imported computers and regulation conformity procedures for locally assembled desktop computers? Let's find out the answers to all these questions in the ExtendMax article below.

1. What is a desktop PC? Classification of desktop PC?

A personal desktop computer (also known as desktop PC) is a computer designed for frequent use in a fixed location due to its size and need that must be connected directly and continuously to the power source. A desktop PC set usually has a monitor, a keyboard, and a computer case (often called the CPU) that contains the circuit board, power adapter, RAM, hard drive, and other computer components. In this article we will classify the desktop PC in our own way to poit out which kind of desktop PC will be fallen under which kind of regulations.

Regular desktop PC

A regular desktop computer that was once the most common one on the market, usually consisting of a computer case and using a separate monitor. The name "desktop computer" in this case is understood to not include the display and keyboard. Computers of this type are often assembled manually by users or small production facilities from components purchased separately, have reasonable costs, are quite convenient to use, are easy to upgrade components, and can be easily upgraded or use different types of screens according to your needs. These regular desktop PC are sold to market with local brands or no brand at all.

Regular local brand desktop PCs

Synchronous computer (branded computer)

Synchronous computer is a computer that has been designed and pre-assembled from the factory into a single block, which is synchronized with all components in the machine and has a separate product code (model name, marketing name, model number) to make it unique in the market. Synchronous computers before being shipped are all rigorously tested by manufacturers for the quality and compatibility of components, and are granted quality certificates. Therefore, the machine always has good quality and is stable when running for a long time. The popular synchronous computers on the Vietnamese market today carry the brands of Dell, HP, ASUS, Fujitsu...

*Branded desktop computers in Vietnam market*

All In One Computer (AIO PC)

An All-In-One Desktop PC (AIO PC) is a synchronous computer that integrates system components into the same display case, thus taking up a smaller footprint and visualizing it good in art. Usually, All-in-one computers of the world's leading brands such as Apple, HP, Dell, Fujitsu, Lenovo... all have a built-in WLAN module that receives 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi or 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.

Industrial desktop computer

Industrial desktop computer is a specialized computer system, used in industrial operations, especially in factories and workshops with harsh environments such as high humidity, high temperature, high pressure or uneven pressure, dusty environment, or the possibility of strong vibration or impact, or simply require stable 24/7 operation. Industrial computers often have a sturdy case, have very good heat dissipation, with an emphasis on stability and durability. In the world there are separate standards for industrial computers. When used in potentially explosive environments, industrial computers are also designed to ensure that no sparks are emitted, meeting standards for use in gaseous environments or in pits such as explosion protection standards ATEX, IECEx.

2. Dossier of documents required for importing desktop PCs

A set of import dossiers applicable to normal products (group 1 goods, not subject to special import policies or goods subject to specialized inspection) includes:

Commercial Invoice for goods purchased from abroad and with payment. Or Proforma Invoice, None-commercial invoice or shipping invoice for non-payment goods such as gifts, FOC goods, warranty goods not payable..

Bill of lading (sea waybill) or Air Way Bill (house bill)

Commercial Contract or Purchase Order or non-commercial consignment notice

Certificate of Origin (COO) in case the importer wants to enjoy preferential import tax

Packing List (itemizes the contents of each package (box, pallets, etc))

Technical documentation of the product (to determine the function, HS code, applicable import policy)

Other documents like certificate of quality, CE test reports (if any)

However, the above-mentioned documents only apply to ordinary products, no special import policies or goods subject to specialized inspection. Do desktops require special licensing or specialized testing? Our answer is that tablets are subject to state quality inspection, specialized inspection to be imported into Vietnam. Therefore, the set of import documents will be more than that of normal products. At the same time, importer will have to do some additional procedures such as state quality inspection registration for imported products before opening customs declarations for batches. imported goods.

3. Applicable regulations for desktop or desktop computer.

Legal basis under MIC management scope for ICT approval

→ Circular 02/2022/TT-BTTTT stipulating the list of products and goods subject to regulation conformity certification and/or regulation conformity announcement (list of group 2) goods within the scope of responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Communications

→ Circular 15/2018/TT-BTTTT and Decree 74/2018/ND-CP stipulating procedures for state quality inspection for imported goods

→ Circular 10/2020/TT-BTTTT stipulating the method of regulation conformity certification and announcement of conformity of products managed by the Ministry of Information and Communications

→ Circular 08/2021/TT-BTTTT stipulates the list of equipment exempted from frequency license to compare the operating frequency and transmit power of the device, especially the wireless charger function of certain desktop (use the desktop to charge other devices like stylus pen).

→ MIC Documents No. 2361/BTTTT-KHCN guiding for implementation of the Circular 02/2022/TT-BTTTT and type approval certification according to QCVN 127:2021/BTTTT for 5G NR SA and QCVN 129:2021/BTTTT for 5G NR SA

→ National technical regulations issued by the Vietnam MIC and applied to the product.

Legal basis under MOIT management scope for VNEEP energy efficiency

(Enforce from 01 Jan 2025, volunteer before 01 Jan 2025)

New list of equipment and means required to comply with Vietnam regulation on energy efficiency.

Circular 36/2016/TT-BCT of Vietnam MOIT - Regulations on procedures and required documents for Declaration of Conformity according to Vietnam National Energy Efficiency Program (VNEEP).

Consolidated Document 23/VBHN-BCT (2020) of Vietnam MOIT - Consolidation of MOIT circulars promulgates procedures and required documents for Declaration of Conformity according to Vietnam National Energy Efficiency Program (VNEEP)

TCVN 11847:2017 - Desktop and desktop Computer - Mearsurement of energy consumption

TCVN 13371:2021 - Desktop Computer - Energy Efficiency

In the below part of this article, we guides more details on ICT type approval process and requirements. If you need to learn more about VNEEP energy efficiency requirements and procedures, please see our separate article for VNEEP energy label for desktop PC.

Legal basis for other kinds of approval applicable for desktop PC

→ Pursuant to the National Technical Regulation (QCVN) on Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) for electric and electronic products, which are required to be applied from January 1, 2026, desktop and desktop computers with its HS code is fallen under the list subject to regulation conformity certification for RoHS (CR type approval). Please see the instructions for CR RoHS Type Approval for tablets on the allowable content of some hazardous chemicals through ExtendMax's separate article.

How to determine the QCVNs applicable to desktop PC

The national technical regulation QCVN applicable to desktop will be determined based on the radio transceiver technologies applied on the device. Depending on specifications, technologies and application radio frequency, a desktop model will have to be tested and tested in accordance with National Technical Regulations respectively issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications listed below:

Radio frequency standards:

QCVN 65:2021/BTTTT (RF for WiFi 5GHz)

QCVN 54:2020/BTTTT (RF for WiFi 2.4GHz)

Radio frequency EMC standards:

QCVN 112:2017/BTTTT (RF EMC for WiFi)

QCVN 118:2018/BTTTT (EMI for MME)

Electrical safety standard for ICT terminals

QCVN 132:2022/BTTTT (for ICT terminals, take effect from 01 Jan 2024)

Important notes in testing desktop:

→ In case desktop or desktop computer has no wireless connection, its shall be subjected to DoC only (Type Approval is not required)

→ Bluetooth and GPS are not required to be tested for Vietnam MIC certification

→ MIC renews list of products products and goods subjected to mandatory Type Approval certification and Declaration of Conformity annually. Please find most update regulation on our website.

4. All market access requirements and procedures for desktop PC

Desktop computers with its HS code 84714110 is fallen under scope of the list of group 2 goods of the Ministry of Information and Communications, must apply for Imported Product Quality Inspection Registration (PQIR) procedure, certification of conformity (ICT Type Approval), announcement of conformity (Declaration of Conformity - DoC), and labeled with ICT conformity mark.

In case the desktop computer does not have the function of receiving and transmitting radio waves (without WiFi), the product will not be subject to certification of conformity (ICT type approval), but will still be subject to declaration of conformity only.

For desktop computers without transceiver function (without WiFi) imported for self-use by importing organizations or individuals, the product will be exempted from the declaration of conformity procedure. After registering for Imported Product Quality Inspection Registration (PQIR), the importing enterprise shall make a written notice of its self-use purpose and submit it to the VNTA to complete the import process. However, these products are not allowed to be sold in the domestic market.

Usually, All In One (AIO) computers have a built-in WiFi transceiver function, a built-in WLAN module that transmits Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n or 802.11 a/b/g/n /ac. However, there are still some rare cases for AIO computers used in the factory or originating from China, without WiFi reception.

Industrial computers, normally not considered as "desktop PCs", are not subject to PQIR. However, in some cases, the industrial computer can be used as a normal desktop computer, the proof is relatively difficult, maybe the enterprise still has to complete the same procedures as for the regular desktop upon request of customs officer.

The general procedures we guide below are applicable to products imported for commercial purposes, sold to a third party (B2B sales model) or sold to consumers (B2C sales model).

a Procedures applicable to imported desktop PC

(Market access requirements under MIC regulations)

(1) Apply for product quality inspection registration process for desktop PC

(2) Submit the product quality inspection registration form to the customs authority

(3) Complete customs clearance for the desktop PC and taking the goods to the warehouse

(4) Product testing according to applicable technical regulations

(5) Apply for ICT Type approval for desktop PC at VNTA

(6) Submit Self-assessment Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) to VNTA

(7) Putting ICT conformity mark (ICT label) on the desktop PC or its packaging box before being circulated to the market

In case the importer already has the certificate of conformity and the necessary test results, the importer can carry out the SDoC process and submit Type Approval certificate to VNTA and complete the product quality inspection registration process at no time.

b Procedures applicable to locally manufactured desktop PC:

(Market access requirements under MIC regulations)

(1) Product testing according to applicable technical regulations

(2) Apply for Certificate of Conformity for desktop PC

(3) Apply for Declaration of Conformity (DoC) certificate issued by the VNTA

(4) Putting ICT conformity mark (ICT label) on the desktop PC or its packaging box before being circulated to the market

5. Testing and in-country test laboratory designated by Vietnam MIC

For standards on RF radio transceivers and EMC compatibility, applicant can conduct testing and testing of equipment at domestic testing laboratories designated by the Vietnam Ministry of Information and Communications or one of the foreign laboratories in the US, Korea, Canada, Singapore (only these 4 countries) recognized by the MIC under MRA agreements for applicable standard. Normally, in-country testing process will take 1-2 weeks for desktop.

6. Prepare a dossier of Certificate of Conformity for desktop

The set of application documents for certification of conformity for desktop, desktop PC composed of the below:

ICT Type Approval application form
Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) of applicant.
Technical specifications of the product.
Product photos including product labels.
Testing reports issued by MIC designated local labs or oversea labs recognized by MIC under MRA
ISO 9001 certificate of the factory or the shipping documents (according to applicable certification system)
Some other forms prepared by ExtendMax for the customers to sign (and stamp)

Learn more about ICT certification systems on our general guides for ICT Type Approval

7. Type Approval certification bodies designated by Vietnam MIC

Currently, the only certification body designated by the Vietnam MIC is the Telecom Metrology and Quality Center - a subsidiary of the VNTA. Applicant can submit the application documents to one of the following addresses: :

→ Telecom Metrology and Quality Center in Hanoi (VNTA building)

→ Branch of TTelecom Metrology and Quality Center in Da Nang

→ Branch of Telecom Metrology and Quality Center in Ho Chi Minh City

Telecom Metrology and Quality Center will review and evaluate the applicant's certification dossier and issue a Type Approval certificate if the dossier is complete and consistent with the regulations of the MIC, VNTA.

The process of verifying documents and issuing the Type Approval certificate normally takes 2 weeks.

8. Declaration of Conformity process for desktop PC

Based on the issued Certificate of Regulation Conformity, the importer or manufacturer must continue to carry out the procedures for Announcement of Regulation Conformity at the Department of Telecommunication - Ministry of Information and Communications.

a Procedure for Declaration of Conformity for imported desktop PC:

The applicant (importer) prepares a dossier of declaration of conformity (self-assessment declaration of conformity) for the consignment, including:

(1) Self-assessment declaration of conformity form according to Decree 74/2018/ND-CP

(2) A copy of the certificate of registration for quality inspection of the consignment

(3) Registered ICT mark (with CODE) of the importer for the first time or when having a change in ICT mark.

(4) Product techinical specifications document (datasheet, specifications, user manual)

(5) Type Approval certificate of the product (together with LOA issued by manufacturer if TAC is held by manufacturer)

For imported products, the procedures for declaration of conformity shall be completed as soon as the VNTA receives the above-listed dossiers. "Notice of receipt of the Declaration of Conformity" has been terminated for imported products since 2018 by the VNTA

b Procedures for declaration of conformity for domestically produced desktop PC:

The enterprise prepares a set of dossiers of declaration of conformity for products according to regulations, including:

(1) Form for Declaration of Conformity according to Circular 30/2011/TT-BTTTT

(2) Conformity self-assessment form according to Decree 74/2018/ND-CP

(3) Registered ICT mark (with CODE) of the importer for the first time or when having a change in ICT mark.

(4) Product techinical specifications document (datasheet, specifications, user manual)

(5) Type Approval certificate of the product issued by MIC designated Certification Body

For domestically produced products, the VNTA receives the dossier, verify the dossier and issues a "Notice of receipt of the Declaration of Conformity" with a validity period of 3 years to the applicant (only local manufacturer can be applicant for this process). Applicant applying for Declaration of Conformity for the first time will need to apply for an ICT CODE code and register a its own ICT mark (ICT label) to the VNTA.

The above steps are all market access requirements for importing, manufacturing and trading desktop, desktop PC in a comprehensive manner in compliance with the provisions of law and sub-law documents on radio equipment, telecommunications, and information technology according to regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

9. How can ExtendMax help you in the market access requirements?

With many years of experience in consulting market access requirements and type approval certification for desktop, desktop PC for the leading manufacturers and leading brands such as Lenovo, Dell, Fujitsu, dynabook, LG... we can support you with all market access requirements and import procedures including:

→ Evaluate the technical specification of the product, determine whether the products meets MIC requirements on operational conditions (frequency, Tx power) and allowed to be imported to Vietnam or not.

→ Evaluate documents, certificates of quality management system ISO 9001, determine the most suitable and lowest cost Type Approval certification system

→ Consulting and supporting the initial import procedures for customs clearance such as registration for performance testing, product quality inspection registration process for imported desktop.

→ Acting as local representative for applicant in carrying out testing, type approval certification, and conformity announcement procedures for desktop, desktop PC

→ Apply for ICT CODE for the importer, register importer's ICT mark or apply for ICT Mark modification upon request.

→ In case businesses need to import in small quantities, or receive goods without payment from parent companies or foreign partners, ExtendMax is capable and qualified to provide good import solutions. Or simply we provide Importer of Record IOR service to solve your worries and problems.

10. Contact information for market access requirements consulting

EXTENDMAX VIETNAM COMPANY LIMITED

Hotline: 0915 836 555 | Hanoi: 024 6666 3066

Email: consultant@extendmax.vn | phuong.tran@extendmax.vn

HO: ExtendMax Villa, C01-L18 An Vuong, Duong Noi urban area, Duong Noi ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Test laboratory: BT02-21, An Hung urban area, To Huu street, La Khe ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi City, Vietnam

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