Importing Wi-Fi routers into India: MTCTE, WPC and the other approvals you need in 2026

Routers are the odd one out among consumer electronics. Most gadgets are blocked by BIS; routers are blocked by telecom certification instead. Five approvals apply to a normal home router: TEC MTCTE, WPC ETA, e-waste EPR, plastic packaging EPR and Legal Metrology registration. Battery EPR applies only to portable models with a battery. BIS CRS and the BEE label do not apply to the router itself.

MTCTE is the one to plan around. No telecom equipment covered by a notified standard may be sold or used in India without a valid certificate of conformity^[11].

Wi-Fi routers are usually classified under ITC(HS) 85176290, "Other machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data"^[24]. We have not found an official classification ruling, so confirm the code with your customs broker before filing.

For telecom certification, what matters is the TEC product category, not the HS code. Borderline products:

A consumer Wi-Fi router can arguably fit "Wi-Fi Access Points and CPE" or "Routers". Check your exact model on the MTCTE portal's product finder before you book testing; a combined device may need to meet more than one essential requirement.

Check the line in the HS code approval finder.

Every Wi-Fi router needs MTCTE and a WPC ETA but not BIS; the exact MTCTE category depends on what the box does. Pick the category before you book a lab, or test one product in the approval checker.

MTCTE and ETA both need test reports, so plan the lab work together.

Expect one to two months. Under the Simplified Certification Scheme, which covers routers, TEC normally issues a certificate within fifteen working days^[3]; lab testing comes before that. The ETA is issued on submission. Our WPC ETA vs MTCTE explainer shows how the two run side by side.

The rule. MTCTE (Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment) now runs under the Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment and Certification) Rules, 2025, made under the Telecommunications Act, 2023; earlier essential requirements continue until replaced^[11]. TEC and NCCS are the authorities^[11].

Which list routers are on. Wi-Fi access points and CPE, WLAN controllers and 2.4/5 GHz wireless access equipment became mandatory on 1 January 2024 (Phase-3)^[6]. IPv4, IPv6 and cloud-controlled routers became mandatory on 1 August 2024 (Phase-4)^[2]. Cellular CPE joined in Phase-6 from 24 August 2025^[6].

Which scheme. From 1 January 2024 TEC moved routers and equipment operating in 2.4/5 GHz to the Simplified Certification Scheme (SCS)^[4]. Under SCS, TEC does not evaluate the test reports and a certificate is normally issued within 15 working days; under the General Certification Scheme it takes 4-8 weeks^[3].

Fees. Only the administrative fee is charged for ER-based applications^[4]. It depends on the product group: A Rs 10,000, B Rs 20,000, C Rs 30,000, D Rs 50,000^[3]. Routers are Group C (Rs 30,000) and equipment operating in 2.4/5 GHz is Group B (Rs 20,000)^[3]. Testing fees are paid directly to the lab (CAB), not to TEC^[3].

Test reports. Testing is done at TEC-designated CABs. A foreign lab can be recognised only if it is ILAC-accredited and not in a country sharing a land border with India^[11]. As a time-bound relaxation, ILAC-accredited reports may be accepted, except for parameters that must be tested in India, if they are no more than two years old^[3]. For safety parameters, TEC accepts a valid BIS certificate or a safety report from a BIS-recognised lab^[3].

Validity and changes. A regular certificate normally lasts 10 years^[3]. You do not need to recertify an unchanged model, or for a labelling-only change^[11].

Timing of shipments. For MTCTE, the date of import is the date the consignment left the foreign port^[3]. Equipment brought in for R&D, demonstration, sample testing or personal use is exempt^[11]. See TEC MTCTE.

Fees, products and portal. See MTCTE fees, MTCTE products and the MTCTE portal guide. A regular certificate is valid for ten years^[3].

Yes, both, on our reading. MTCTE checks telecom conformity; ETA checks radio frequency compliance. Wi-Fi access points and CPE in 2.4/5 GHz are notified under MTCTE, so they need MTCTE certification as well as WPC ETA^[6].

Why ETA applies. ETA is required to import, sell and use wireless devices in de-licensed bands^[5]. Routers transmit in the licence-exempt 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, and on our reading of the 2024 WPC order they need a self-declaration ETA^[12]. The 2.4 GHz band is reported to be licence-exempt under rules of 2005, G.S.R. 45(E)^[33]. For Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 routers, the lower 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz) was reportedly de-licensed for low-power indoor use by G.S.R. 47(E) of 20 January 2026^[27]; we have not read that gazette, so confirm the power limits with your lab.

How. All licence-exempt ETAs have been self-declaration since 9 September 2024, filed on Saral Sanchar, with the certificate downloaded on submission^[13]. Documents: RF test report, the maker's authorisation and technical literature^[5]. Fee: Rs 10,000 per model^[5]. Validity: the life of the model^[5].

The 2026 transition. DoT stopped taking new Indian Telegraph Act applications; Telecommunications Act authorisations moved to eservices.dot.gov.in from 25 June 2026 and Radio Equipment Possession Authorisation from 6 August 2026^[34]. Whether the ETA self-declaration route changes as a result is not yet confirmed^[35]. Check both portals before filing. See WPC ETA.

More detail: WPC ETA fees, WPC ETA documents, the Saral Sanchar guide and how to get WPC approval.

For routers the changes are on the telecom side. Phase-6 brought cellular CPE in from 24 August 2025^[6], TEC's acceptance of ILAC reports from non-border-sharing countries was reportedly extended only to 30 June 2026^[36], and DoT moved Telecommunications Act authorisations to a new portal^[34]. Track updates on new rules for 2026.

BIS CRS: the router is not on the list. On 30 October 2026, Wi-Fi routers were not a product category on the BIS CRS list^[1]. That is unlike laptops, mobile phones or CCTV cameras, which are^[25]. But the router's external power adaptor is covered, under "Power Adaptors for IT Equipments"^[25]. If the adaptor in your box has no CRS registration and Standard Mark, it is the adaptor, not the router, that breaks the BIS Act^[41]. Ask your supplier for the adaptor's R-number and check it on the BIS portal.

BEE: not listed. Routers do not appear on BEE's mandatory or voluntary appliance lists^[7].

For safety parameters inside MTCTE, TEC accepts a valid BIS certificate or a BIS-recognised lab report^[3]. The adaptor's standard is explained on IS/IEC 62368-1 and the scheme on BIS CRS.

ITEW22. Schedule I of the E-Waste Rules 2022 names "Routers" under EEE code ITEW22^[8]. Unlike many accessories, there is no ambiguity here.

You are the producer. Anyone who offers to sell imported EEE is a producer under the rules^[8] and must register on CPCB's portal before doing business^[8]. Micro enterprises under the MSMED Act are outside the rules^[8].

Cost and targets. Registration is Rs 10,000 for a producer whose sales have just started^[16], plus Rs 5,000 a year in maintenance^[16], valid five years^[16]. The 2026-27 target is 70% of the weight placed on the market in the reference year^[8], or the Schedule IV target if your sales history is short^[8]. You meet it by buying certificates from registered recyclers^[8]. For IT equipment (ITEW), CPCB's environmental compensation is Rs 112 per kg, with a floor certificate price of Rs 34 per kg^[42]. Returns are due by the end of the month after each quarter^[8]. See e-waste EPR.

Targets and returns: e-waste targets and EPR annual returns.

Only portable ones, on our reading of the battery rules. Fixed home routers have no battery; portable MiFi and 4G hotspots do, and bring battery EPR obligations^[17]. The battery rules cover every battery whatever its chemistry, and whoever imports equipment containing batteries is a producer^[17].

What registration involves. Importers of batteries and of equipment containing batteries must register with CPCB before importing^[43]. Registration is on Form 1(A) through the online portal and, since 2023, stays valid until cancelled^[18]. The fee depends on turnover: Rs 10,000 under Rs 5 crore, Rs 20,000 between Rs 5 and 50 crore, and Rs 40,000 above^[19]. CPCB must register you within two weeks of a complete application^[18].

Your yearly obligation. For rechargeable portable batteries in consumer electronics, the collection target from 2024-25 is 70% of the batteries you placed on the market five years earlier, with 100% of what is collected recycled or refurbished^[44]. You meet it by buying EPR certificates from registered recyclers, separately for each chemistry^[44]. You file Form 1(C) with quantities imported by 30 June each year^[18] and an annual return in Form 3^[44]. The FY 2025-26 return deadline was extended to 30 November 2026^[45].

Battery EPR is separate from e-waste EPR. Waste batteries are excluded from the E-Waste Rules and handled under the battery rules^[8], so the battery inside your hotspot is its own obligation. See battery EPR.

Yes, in almost every case. The importer of Wi-Fi routers sold in plastic packaging counts as an "importer" under the Guidelines on EPR for Plastic Packaging and needs plastic EPR registration^[9]. The 2024 definition covers anyone who imports, for commercial use, any commodity with plastic packaging^[31]. The micro and small enterprise carve-out in the rules is written for producers and brand owners, not importers^[31].

What it involves:

• Registration. Register on CPCB's centralised EPR portal. If you operate in more than two states, CPCB registers you; in one or two states, the State Pollution Control Board does^[20]. Each sub-category and each state is a separate registration^[20]. KYC is PAN, GST and CIN of the company plus the Aadhaar and PAN of the authorised person^[20].
• Fee. Rs 10,000 if you generate under 1,000 tonnes of plastic waste a year, Rs 20,000 up to 10,000 TPA and Rs 50,000 above that^[21]. You also pay 25% of the application fee each year when you file returns^[21].
• Target. From 2023-24 the target is 100% of your eligible quantity of packaging^[20]. For an importer, the eligible quantity is based on the average packaging imported and sold over the last two years, plus pre-consumer waste, minus what you supplied to brand owners^[20]. Rigid trays and flexible film are different categories^[31].
• Returns. Annual returns are due by 30 June of the next financial year^[31].

See our full guide to plastic packaging EPR.

Yes, if you import Wi-Fi routers in retail packs. Rule 27 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 requires every person who pre-packs or imports any commodity for sale, distribution or delivery to apply for registration^[10]. Based on the importer registration form used by states, Wi-Fi routers imported as pre-packaged retail units appear to need this registration and the declarations on the pack^[22]. (We could not read the current consolidated rules text.)

How it works:

• Where. Apply to the State Controller of Legal Metrology or the Director of Legal Metrology^[10]. The application gives your name, the full address of the premises where you import, and the commodities you import^[10]. Since 29 May 2026 a company must also name the director responsible for compliance^[23].
• When. Within 90 days of starting to import^[10].
• Fee. Rs 500^[10], and Rs 100 for any later change to the certificate^[10].
• Validity. The certificate now stays valid until cancelled^[23], but a 2026 proviso asks companies to update details every year on the online portal, including products, quantities imported and country of origin^[23].

B2B shipments. Packaged goods meant for industrial or institutional consumers are exempt from the retail-package provisions^[46]. Routers supplied in bulk to an internet service provider for its own installations may fall under this exemption. Retail packs sold to consumers, online or offline, are not.

How to register: LMPC importer registration and label rules.

MTCTE. Everyone covered by a notified standard must display the standard details, including the certificate of conformity, as TEC specifies; the format is in Annexure-D of TEC's procedure^[11].

Legal Metrology. The pack needs the name and address of the manufacturer, packer or importer, country of origin, common name, net quantity, month and year of manufacture, MRP, unit sale price and consumer care details^[46]. Declare the month and year of manufacture, not of import^[10].

Plastic EPR. Rule 11 asks for the producer's or brand owner's name and registration number on plastic packaging and extends this to importers, though a proviso in the same rule exempts packaging of imported goods^[47]. A QR code or barcode is allowed from 1 July 2025^[37].

Adaptor. The adaptor carries its own BIS Standard Mark with its IS number and R-number^[48].

Hotspots with batteries. Add the crossed-out wheelie bin^[44] and your battery EPR number on the device or box^[49].

Scenario: a first-time importer brings in one dual-band home router model, no battery, under its own brand, and its adaptor already has a CRS registration. We assume TEC certifies it in the router group; if it is certified as 2.4/5 GHz equipment instead, the MTCTE fee is Rs 20,000^[3]. Official fees only; the arithmetic is ours.

Not included, because they are not government fees: MTCTE and RF lab testing, AIR and consultant charges, and EPR certificates bought from recyclers.

Three times the MTCTE fees and lab charges, because both are per model. The MTCTE administrative fee for routers is Rs 30,000 (Group C)^[3], and each model needs its own Rs 10,000 ETA^[5]. Importer registrations are paid once. Family-based MTCTE certification is charged at Group D, Rs 50,000^[3], which can beat three Group C certificates for a closely related range.

Lab charges. TEC told its labs to publish their testing charges^[50]. SGS India's published rate is Rs 85,000 for a router before tax^[51]. Consultants also quote separate test-report fees of Rs 2,00,000 for Group C products^[32], so get two quotes. Startups and small firms may claim back part of the testing charges under DoT's scheme^[52].

1. First-time importer of mesh Wi-Fi kits. A Bengaluru distributor imports a three-node mesh kit. Each node is a Wi-Fi access point, so the model needs MTCTE^[6] and, on our reading, a WPC ETA^[6]. The distributor acts as the maker's Authorised Indian Representative on the MTCTE portal^[30]. It checks the adaptors' R-numbers, then registers for e-waste EPR under ITEW22 and for plastic EPR.

2. Marketplace seller of 4G pocket hotspots. An online seller imports battery-powered MiFi units. These are cellular CPE under MTCTE Phase-6^[6], and the battery makes it a battery producer^[17]. If the seller lists uncertified units, TEC can serve a notice to stop sales within seven days, and certification afterwards costs ten times the normal fee^[11].

3. Foreign networking brand. A US brand manufacturing in Vietnam appoints its Indian subsidiary as AIR. Its test reports can come from an ILAC-accredited lab under the time-bound relaxation if they are under two years old, except for parameters that must be tested in India^[3]. Telecom operators must cut service to users of uncertified notified equipment after seven days' notice^[11], so ISPs that supply its routers have good reason to ask for the certificate.

There is no BIS licence for the router itself, so most duties sit with the importer. The foreign maker certifies through an Indian AIR on the MTCTE portal, and the adaptor maker holds its own BIS registration. See the guide for foreign manufacturers and the guide for distributors.

• No MTCTE certificate for the exact model. A router is not cleared for sale without one^[11]. Check that the portal entry matches the model and brand on your label.
• Wrong category. A 4G router certified only as Wi-Fi CPE may miss the cellular CPE requirement^[6].
• Unregistered adaptor. The adaptor is a BIS CRS product^[25] and needs its own Standard Mark.
• No ETA. Customs may accept the importer's ETA self-declaration as evidence for licence-exempt wireless products^[5]; without one, there is nothing to show.
• EPR proof. CPCB has asked Customs to check plastic EPR registration on importers' consignments^[55].
• Samples. Routers imported for testing, prototype or pre-launch need no ETA, but you must give Customs an undertaking in the prescribed format^[29].

No. Conformity Assessment Bodies can be recognised abroad, but a foreign lab must be ILAC-accredited and not in a country that shares a land border with India^[11]. That rules out labs in China. ILAC reports from other countries were accepted as a time-bound relaxation, and must be under two years old^[3]; trackers report the relaxation was extended only to 30 June 2026^[36].

What it means for a router made in China. Ship samples to a TEC-designated lab in India, or to an accepted lab in a third country if the relaxation still applies. TEC asked its labs to publish their testing charges^[50]; one large lab's published rate for a router is Rs 85,000 before tax, according to its own price list^[51].

The WPC side is different. The ETA self-declaration accepts an RF report from any accredited lab, named with its country^[56].

Where routers come from. HS 8517 imports, which include routers as well as phones, came from Hong Kong (US$ 1,378.63 million)^[26], Vietnam (US$ 1,263.40 million)^[26] and Taiwan (US$ 274.81 million)^[26] in 2025-26. Country notes: China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

MTCTE is the main risk for router importers. The BIS row applies to the adaptor, not the router.

TEC can order sale to stop within seven days, and certification later costs ten times the normal fee. If notified equipment is found without a valid certificate, the holder is told to stop sale, distribution or use within seven days; to resume, it can certify within 180 days at ten times the fee, and the authority may seek seizure or destruction^[11]. Contravention cases pay ten times the administrative fee^[3].

• ISPs must cut off uncertified kit. Telecom licensees give users of uncertified notified equipment seven days' notice, then suspend service^[11].
• Marketplaces are watched for radio products. News reports in January 2026 said CCPA fined Meesho, Flipkart, Amazon and Meta Rs 10 lakh each in walkie-talkie listing cases^[59]. Routers are licence-exempt, but the same scrutiny of wireless listings applies.
• The adaptor is a BIS product. BIS has reportedly seized chargers carrying fake registration marks from a Hyderabad shop^[60]; an unregistered router adaptor faces the same BIS Act penalties^[41].

We found no published TEC enforcement case naming a consumer router in 2025-26.

Use the free tools first, then specialists for MTCTE and WPC.

• Scope: the approval checker and the HS code approval finder.
• Budget: the compliance cost estimator, MTCTE certification cost, WPC ETA cost and the cost of importing electronics.
• Labels: the label checker and the product label checklist.
• Paperwork: MTCTE fees, MTCTE products, the MTCTE portal guide, WPC ETA fees, WPC ETA documents and the Saral Sanchar guide.
• People: WPC consultants handle ETA and often MTCTE; BIS consultants and BIS labs matter only for the adaptor.

For a quick view of your router range, ask for a free compliance check.