Basic information
Outline of the system
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cambodia (MPTC) regulates radiocommunication and telecommunication equipment, and information and communication technology (ICT) related equipment in Cambodia.
The Imports shall be governed by the Law on Customs promulgated on 20 July 2007. The application of import permit normally can be made through the electronic system of National Single Window (at www.nsw.gov.kh). The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, under Law on Telecommunications 2015, is the authority responsible for issuing the import license (or permit) of radiocommunication and telecommunication equipment, and information and communication technology (ICT) related equipment.
Product coverage
All radiocommunication and telecommunication products, and information and communication technology (ICT) related products are required to have type approval from MPTC. The import licensing (or permit) is issued only to the products that have already been certified by type approval. All products are under automatic import licensing, except the restricted products found in HS 85176100, 85176221, 85176229, 85176230, 85176242, 85176249, 85176253, 85176259, 85177010, 85255000, 85256000, 85291029, 85291040, 85291060, 85291092, and all drone/ Unmanned aerial vehicle – UAV other than 88022090 and 88023090.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The type approval is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of import. The purpose of the type approval is intended to ensure compatibility and non-interference with Cambodia's authorized telecommunication network and equipment, and safety to public in general.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The licensing system applies to products originating in and coming from all countries. There is no discrimination by country of origin.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The import permit and type approval of telecommunication equipment or product are administered by the Law on Telecommunications promulgated on 17 December 2015.
The type approval of radiocommunication and telecommunication equipment or product is required by Prakas No. 122 dated 7 April 2017 of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cambodia on condition and procedures for granting, amending, suspending, transferring and revoking permits, certificates and licenses for telecommunications operations, and Prakas No. 208 dated 29 December 2010 of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cambodia on Certification of Type Approval for Radiocommunications and Telecommunications Equipment.
The type approval of information and communication technology (ICT) equipment is required by Sub-Decree No. 110 dated 21 July 2017 on Granting Permit for Information and Communication Technology Operations.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
All persons can apply for a type approval from MPTC and are eligible to apply for import licenses. However, if the importation is other than personal use (limitation of amount of equipment applied for physical person), persons required to have certified distribution agents of radiocommunication and telecommunications equipment, and/or ICT equipment, or license for operations of telecommunication infrastructure or ICT issued by Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cambodia.
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Applicants for Type Approval are requested to fill in the application and enclose the following documents:
- A Copy of Certification as Import Agent (Distributor) of Radiocommunications and telecommunications equipment and/or ICT equipment; or telecommunication service license or ICT operator license;
- A Copy of technical specification;
- A Copy of performance test report.
The application of an import permit, applicants are requested to fill in the application and enclose the following documents:
- Legal entity:
- A copy of Certificate of Incorporation.
- A copy of Patent.
- A copy of Invoice.
- A copy of Packing List.
- A copy of Airway Bill or Bill of Landing.
- A copy of Technical Specification.
- Physical person (for two sets of equipment only):
- A copy of identify card or family book or valid passport.
- A copy of Patent.
- A copy of Invoice.
- A copy of Packing List.
- A copy of Airway Bill or Bill of Landing.
- A copy of Technical Specification.
- Legal entity as Telecommunications infrastructure under tax exemption in compliance to Law on Investment of Cambodia:
- A copy of certified letter from Council for Development of Cambodia on tax exemption.
- A copy of Telecommunication Service Obligation License.
- A copy of Deposit receipt, as guarantee for the Provision of Telecoms Services.
- Six copies of Master List of the imported telecommunications or ICT equipment.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There is no limitation.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
An import licensing is generally granted immediately upon request when the products have already been certified by type approval.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
In the case of an eligible application,
- For radiocommunication and telecommunication equipment, the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) under Minister of Posts and Telecommunications of Cambodia shall grant the type approval within 15 business days after the receipt of application.
- For ICT equipment, the General Department of Information and Communication Technology of Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cambodia shall grant the type approval within ten business days after the receipt of application.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Consideration of importer's type approval or import licensing applications is affected by a single administrative body: The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cambodia.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
Type Approval and a special approval from MPTC (for the restricted products labelled in Paragraph 2 above) is the condition for the issuance of an import license (or permit).
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes, determined by Inter-Ministerial Prakas of Ministry of Economy and Finance and Ministry of Posts and Communications No. 499 dated 8 May 2018 on Public Service Provision of Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia, and Inter-Ministerial Prakas of Ministry of Economy and Finance and Ministry of Posts and Communications No. 498 dated 8 May 2018 on Public Service Provision of Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No deposits or advance payments are required.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
An application for type approval is usually granted if it meets the required criteria.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
MPTC will generally provide the reason(s) in the event of a refusal to issue a type approval.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
There is no limitation.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
The import licenses and the usual customs/import documentation are required upon actual importation.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Certified Distributor Agents or License for operations telecommunications and/or ICT (for business purpose).
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The validity period of Type Approval for Radiocommunications, Telecommunications and ICT equipment is permanent. The validity of the import permit is one year.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilization of license or a portion of it.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licenses are transferable between importers only with the permission of MPTC upon the request by importers (subject to the same application procedure defined above).
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Foreign exchange is freely available to all importers.