Market access and ICT Type Approval for mobile phone

EXTENDMAX – Market access requirements for exporting mobile phones (cell phone, smart phones, feature phones) and terminal equipment to Vietnam have always been one of the most difficult market access procedures. Mobile phone is one of the most difficult importing goods under under the list of products requiring ICT Type Approval under MIC management scope in testing and obtaining certificate of conformity in Vietnam. In fact, the importing of mobile phones is sometimes congested due to the continuous changes in market access policies from time to time. Surely you have questions such as what kind of documents do you need to import mobile phones? What are the market access steps does the phone import procedure include? Do mobile phones have to apply for an import license or do they have to register for a product quality inspection registration? Where should mobile phones and terminals be tested and certified? What documents are needed to ICT Type Approval? Is the conformity certification for 5G NR mobile phones and terminals different from products with only 4G LTE? Currently you are having problems in obtaining ICT type approval for 5G NR phones, how to solve it? All of the above questions will be answered and guided by us in this exclusive article of ExtendMax

1. What is a mobile phone? What is a terminal equipment? How to classify?

There are many ways to classify mobile phones and mobile communication terminals. In this article, we will classify in the most intuitive way to apply the testing and certification procedures easily and accurately.

Mobile communication terminal equipment

Terminal equipment is a device at either end of an information technology communication link, used to enable the stations involved to complete the task for which the link has been established. When used in mobile communication networks, these devices are called mobile communication terminals, and base station devices are called mobile communication base stations.

Mobile communication terminals are widely used in telecommunications and information technology systems to transmit data and voice over mobile communication systems using technologies such as GSM, GPRS, WCDMA, UMTS, HSPA, LTE, 4G IMT (LTE advance) and 5G NR. Typical mobile communication terminals are POS payment terminals, GPS tracker or blackbox, navigation device, car communication systems (telematic devices), tablets, data logger data transmission systems, barcode scanners...

Normally, mobile communication terminals will be integrated with many other data transmission functions to serve different connection needs, such as Bluetooth, GPS module, bar code scanner module, card reader module RFID reader. Mobile communication terminal function is the main function to transmit data from one terminal to another terminal device (or server) via GSM, GPRS, WCDMA, UMTS, HSPA, LTE, 4G IMT (LTE advance) and 5G NR mobile communication network.

Mobile phone or cell phone (smart phone, feature phone)

Mobile phone is a type of mobile communication terminal with the main function used to transmit voice (calls) through a mobile communication system using technologies GSM, GPRS, WCDMA, UMTS, HSPA, LTE , 4G IMT (LTE advance) and 5G NR. Normally, mobile phones have built-in features such as data transmission (SMS messages, multimedia MMS messages...) and other internet connection features such as WiFi to serve work and entertainment. .

Basic mobile phone (brick phone, feature phone)

Previously, this type of mobile phone only had the main function of making calls (calling) and sending SMS messages, maybe with a few other features such as listening to FM radio or taking pictures with low resolution. This type of phone is low cost, easy to use (especially for the elderly) but has many limitations in internet connection, does not meet the requirements of modern life such as wireless payment, entertainment via the internet, social networks. Before July 1, 2021, this type of phone normally only supports 2G/3G mobile networks. From July 1, 2021, based on QCVN 1117:2020/BTTTT, these phones are required to integrate 4G LTE feature in order to be manufactured in Vietnam or exported into Vietnam. So you will see brick phones with added 4G LTE or WiFI hot spot functionality on the market recently. However, there has never been a basic phone with integrated 5G NR mobile technology on the market. Popular feature phone brands in Vietnam include Nokia, masstel, Viettel, FPT...

feature phone in Vietnam — Feature phone in Vietnam

Smart mobile phone (smart phone)

A smart mobile phone (also known as a smartphone) is the most advanced type of mobile phone on the market. In addition to meeting the basic functions for transmitting data of calls (voice) and SMS messages over mobile communication networks using GSM, GPRS, WCDMA, UMTS, HSPA, LTE, 4G IMT (LTE advance) and 5G NR, smart phones also meet different entertainment needs such as photography, internet entertainment, social networks, serving well the needs of work, can even be used as a mini computer with accessories, or used to play online games. Popular smart phone brands in Vietnam include iPhone, samsung, oppo, xiaomi...

smart phone in Vietnam — Smart phones in Vietnam

2. Brief procedures for importing, getting Type Approval certificate, Declaration of Conformity

a Procedures applicable to imported mobile phone

Import procedures according to regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications

(1) Apply for product quality inspection registration process for mobile phone

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

(3) Complete customs clearance for the mobile phone and taking the goods to the warehouse

(4) Product testing according to applicable technical regulations

(5) Apply for Certificate of Conformity for mobile phone

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

(7) Putting ICT conformity mark (ICT label) on the mobile phone 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 mobile phone:

Procedures are carried out according to regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications

(1) Product testing according to applicable technical regulations

(2) Apply for Certificate of Conformity for mobile phone

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

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

3. Vietnam regulations applicable to mobile phone.

Depends on specifications, product could be regulated by the follows Vietnam national technical regulations:

→ Circular 04/2023/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 mobile phone (use the phone to charge other devices like earphone).

→ MIC official letter guiding for implementation of the Circular 04/2023/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 (former version is MIC letter No. 2361/BTTTT-KHCN)

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

→ 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, mobile phone 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.

The applied national technical regulations will be based on the wireless transceiver technologies that the mobile phone integrates. Typical technical regulations applicable to mobile phone are as follows:

Radio frequency standards:

QCVN 129:2021/BTTTT (RF for 5G NR NSA)
QCVN 127:2021/BTTTT (RF for 5G NR SA)
QCVN 117:2020/BTTTT (RF for 2G/3G/4G/LTE)
QCVN 65:2021/BTTTT (RF for WiFi 5GHz)
QCVN 54:2020/BTTTT (RF for WiFi 2.4GHz)
QCVN 55:2011/BTTTT (RF for NFC / HF band)
QCVN 47:2015/BTTTT (RF for UHF 918.4~923 MHz)

Radio frequency EMC standards:

QCVN 18:2014/BTTTT (RF EMC for 5G NR NSA and SA) (applicable till 30 Jun 2023)
QCVN 18:2022/BTTTT (RF EMC for 5G NR NSA and SA) (applicable from 01 July 2023)
QCVN 86:2019/BTTTT (RF EMC for 2G/3G/4G/LTE)
QCVN 96:2015/BTTTT (RF EMC for NFC, HF and UHF)
QCVN 112:2017/BTTTT (RF EMC for WiFi)

Safety standards

QCVN 101:2020/BTTTT - item 2.6 (IEC 62133-2:2017) (Safety for lithium cell and battery)

Important notes

→ At this moment, SAR is not required for mobile phone in Vietnam yet

→ 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. 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 Ministry of Information and Communications under MRA agreements for applicable standard. Normally, the phone testing process will take 2 - 3 weeks for mobile phones because it has to be tested in many different labs. Up to the present time (October 2022) no domestic testing laboratory has been appointed to measure all of the above-listed standards. Enterprises can use CE test reports for standards applicable to 5G NR mobile technology (according to the guiding document No. 2361/BTTTT-KHCN of the Ministry of Information and Communications).

For lithium batteries used for mobile phones, you can test them at ExtendMax's VNCA Laboratory (which is a laboratory designated by the Ministry of Information and Communications to test lithium batteries according to QCVN 101:2020/BTTTT)

5. Prepare a dossier of Certificate of Conformity for smartphone

The set of application documents for certification of conformity for mobile phone 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

6. 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 Telecom 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.

7. Declaration of Conformity process for mobile phone

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 mobile phone:

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 technical specifications document (data sheet, 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 mobile phone:

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 technical specifications document (data sheet, 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 mobile phone 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.

8. 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 mobile phone for the leading manufacturers and leading brands such as oppo, realme, OnePlus, Nokia... we can support you with all market access requirements and import procedures including:

→ Assess the CE test report required for Type approval application for 5G NR mobile phone, recommend modification and supplement if required

→ 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 smartphone.

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

→ 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.

9. Contact information for market access requirements consulting

EXTENDMAX VIETNAM COMPANY LIMITED

Hotline: +84 915 836 555 | Hanoi: +84 24 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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