Telecommunication and radio-communication apparatus
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/MAC/26
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 31/08/2023
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
Import controls are primarily exercised by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau. However, the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau is also involved in the system of import controls on telecommunication and radiocommunication equipment.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
Import licenses are required for telecommunication and radiocommunication equipment. These include:
(a) Apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, including those for communication in a wireless local or wide area network.
(b) Transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television, whether or not incorporating reception apparatus or sound recording or reproducing apparatus.
(c) Radar equipment, radionavigation equipment and remote control equipment.
(d) The spare parts exclusively or partially for the equipment listed above.
except those with exemption or without need of station license or type approval according to the applicable radiocommunication legislation.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The licensing system applies to goods originating in and coming from any countries or territories.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
The import licensing system on telecommunication and radiocommunication equipment is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. Instead, its aim is to ensure the products imported meet certain standards.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The import licensing system is a statutory requirement maintained under Law No. 7/2003, amended by Law No. 3/2016; Administrative Regulation No. 28/2003, amended by Administrative Regulation No. 19/2016; and Chief Executive's Decision No. 209/2021. Legislation does not leave designation of products, which are subject to licensing, to administrative discretion. Legislative approval is required when any changes are introduced to the existing system.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
License application should be submitted before importing the equipment, taking account of the processing time required by the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau, which is normally within three working days.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Where there is proof of a genuine need, import license may exceptionally be granted on request.
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
There is no limitation of time as to the period of the year during which application for license and/or importation may be made.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
The Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau is the sole administrative organ to issue licenses for the telecommunication and radiocommunication equipment.
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Import license application may be refused in case the equipment does not comply with the Technical Standards applicable in the Macao SAR.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
All persons, firms and institutions complying with Article 11 of Law No.7/2003, (amended by Law No.3/2016) and Article 6 or Article 30 of Decree-Law No.18/83/M are eligible to apply for licenses except under special circumstances where licensing facilities are denied owing to the non-compliance of certain requirement.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
A sample form is attached in Annex C. Catalogues/technical specifications for the products under application are to be submitted with the application for technical classification purpose.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Only the import license is needed upon actual importation.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
No licensing fee is charged.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
No deposit or advance payment is required.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
An import license covering telecommunication and radiocommunication equipment is valid for 30 days from the day of its issuance. The validity cannot be extended under normal circumstances.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of an import license.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Not transferable.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
No.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No other administrative procedures are required.
Q19. Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported? Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange? Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued? What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
There are no foreign exchange controls.