A WPC licence is an approval issued by the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications. It is mandatory for importing, manufacturing and marketing most wireless and radio-frequency equipment in India.

The WPC Wing is the national radio-regulatory authority responsible for spectrum management, licensing and equipment type approval. 1083

WPC Full Form

WPC full form is Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing.

In customs and import documentation, “WPC” refers to this DoT wing that grants permission for importing radio and wireless equipment. Without WPC approval, such equipment may be detained or confiscated by customs at the port of entry. 1084

What Is a WPC Certificate?

A WPC certificate generally refers to:

• WPC import licence for restricted wireless equipment.

• WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) for devices in de-licensed frequency bands.

• Other WPC licences for specific wireless uses (experimental, demonstration, etc.).

The certificate confirms that the equipment complies with Indian radio-frequency regulations and is authorised for import, manufacture or sale. 1084

WPC Certificate for Import

A WPC certificate for import is required for most radio and wireless equipment, including:

• Wi-Fi devices and routers.

• Bluetooth devices.

• Walkie-talkies.

• Drones and UAVs.

• Remote-control toys using RF.

• ZigBee, NFC, RFID devices.

• Cellular modules and devices.

• Smartwatches with wireless features.

• Wireless cameras and home-automation products.

Imports of radio equipment without prior WPC permission can be confiscated by customs. 

Depending on the product and frequency band, the importer may need:

• WPC import licence (for restricted frequencies or controlled categories).

• WPC ETA via self-declaration (for de-licensed bands such as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, certain ISM bands).

• WPC ETA via scrutiny (for specific categories requiring detailed evaluation). 1086

WPC ETA Certificate for Import

A WPC ETA certificate for import is mandatory for wireless devices operating in de-licensed frequency bands.

Equipment Type Approval (ETA) is an approval that must be obtained from WPC before importing any wireless device in India that functions in the de-licensed frequency band.

Key features of WPC ETA:

• Product-specific and model-specific.

• Required for each distinct model number.

• Issued after RF test report and document verification.

• Applied for through the Saral Sanchar portal.

• Used by customs and regulators to verify compliance. 1087

WPC License Online Application

The WPC license online application is submitted through the Saral Sanchar portal of the Department of Telecommunications.

General steps:

1. Check whether the product requires WPC import licence or ETA.

2. Obtain an RF (Radio Frequency) test report from an accredited laboratory.

3. Create an account on the Saral Sanchar portal.

4. Select the appropriate application type (ETA self-declaration, ETA scrutiny, import licence, etc.).

5. Fill in product, manufacturer and importer details.

6. Upload documents such as RF test report, technical specifications, authorisation letter and company documents (GST, IEC, etc.).

7. Pay the applicable fee (for example, ₹10,000 per model for ETA self-declaration, as commonly cited).

8. Submit the application.

9. Respond to any queries from WPC.

10. Download the WPC ETA or licence certificate from the portal. 1087

WPC Certificate in Delhi

For businesses in Delhi, a WPC certificate in Delhi is processed through the Northern Region WPC office.

The Northern Region Regional Licensing Office (RLO) is located at:

• WPC Wing Regional Licensing Office

• Northern Regional Wireless Monitoring HQRS Campus

• Mehrauli–Gurgaon Road

• New Delhi – 110030

This office serves Delhi and surrounding areas for non-network licences, including certain import and experimental licences, while ETA applications are primarily handled online via Saral Sanchar. 1076

WPC Certificate Uttar Pradesh

Exporters and importers in Uttar Pradesh, including Noida and Ghaziabad, can obtain a WPC certificate Uttar Pradesh through the same national process.

Key points:

• ETA applications are submitted online via Saral Sanchar, irrespective of state.

• Import licences for restricted equipment may involve the Northern Region RLO for UP-based applicants.

• Documents, fees and technical requirements are uniform across India.

• The issued WPC certificate is valid for use throughout India, subject to conditions.

Businesses in UP should ensure that the IEC, GST and importer details match the information submitted on the WPC application.

WPC Registration

The term WPC registration is often used to describe:

• Creating an account on the Saral Sanchar portal.

• Registering a product for ETA.

• Obtaining a WPC import licence.

There is no separate “WPC registration number” independent of the ETA or import-licence certificate; the approval itself (ETA number or licence number) acts as the WPC registration reference for that product. 1087

Documents Required for WPC Licence and ETA

Common documents include:

• IEC (Importer–Exporter Code).

• GST registration.

• PAN of the applicant entity.

• RF test report from an accredited lab.

• Technical datasheet and product specifications.

• Authorisation letter from the foreign manufacturer (if applicable).

• Company incorporation or partnership documents.

• Product photographs and user manual.

• Declaration or self-declaration form as per WPC format.

• Payment receipt for the applicable fee. 1085

WPC Certificate Download

After approval, applicants can complete WPC certificate download from the Saral Sanchar portal.

Steps typically include:

1. Log in to the Saral Sanchar portal.

2. Navigate to the application or certificate section.

3. Locate the approved ETA or licence application.

4. Download the WPC ETA certificate or import-licence document.

5. Verify the certificate details (model number, frequency band, validity, conditions).

Customs and buyers may ask for this certificate during clearance and compliance checks. 1082

WPC Licence vs WPC ETA

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Importing wireless equipment without checking WPC requirements.

• Using one ETA for multiple different models.

• Submitting an RF test report from a non-accredited lab.

• Providing inconsistent product descriptions across documents.

• Ignoring DGFT import-policy requirements in addition to WPC.

• Failing to upload the payment receipt on Saral Sanchar.

• Attempting to import before receiving the WPC certificate.

Conclusion

A WPC licence or WPC ETA certificate is mandatory for legally importing, manufacturing and selling wireless and radio-frequency equipment in India. The WPC full form in customs and regulatory contexts is Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, the national radio-regulatory authority.

Importers should determine whether their product requires a WPC import licence or WPC ETA, prepare the RF test report and technical documents, and submit a WPC license online application via the Saral Sanchar portal. After approval, the WPC certificate download should be completed and shared with customs, logistics partners and buyers as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a WPC licence?

A WPC licence is an approval from the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing required for importing and marketing wireless and RF equipment in India.

2. What is the WPC full form?

WPC full form is Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, under the Department of Telecommunications.

3. Is WPC certificate required for all wireless imports?

Most radio and wireless equipment requires either a WPC import licence or WPC ETA before import. 1084

4. How can I apply for WPC license online?

Applications are submitted through the Saral Sanchar portal of DoT, with RF test reports, product documents and fee payment.

5. What is a WPC ETA certificate for import?

It is an Equipment Type Approval issued by WPC for wireless devices operating in de-licensed frequency bands, mandatory before import.

6. Can I download my WPC certificate online?

Yes. Approved ETA and licence certificates can be downloaded from the Saral Sanchar portal. 1087

7. Which WPC office serves Delhi and Uttar Pradesh?

The Northern Region WPC RLO on Mehrauli–Gurgaon Road, New Delhi, serves Delhi and UP for non-network licences; ETA is primarily online