Q1: Is the local representative mandatory for applying for type approval, or is it possible to obtain the certificate under the manufacturer name? if so, can a single certificate be shared with multiple importers?
A1:
The manufacturer may apply for type approval and pay the applicable application fees without appointing an authorized dealer or representative and without applying for an importation license. In such cases, the issued Type Approval certificate will be registered under the manufacturer’s name. However, any entity intending to import the equipment must hold a valid import license and type approval certificate issued in its own name in order to be authorized to import the equipment into Lebanon.
Q2: Is it mandatory to obtain a new approval from the TRA if the manufacturer/importer has obtained the approval from the Ministry of Telecommunications?
A2:
The Ministry of Telecommunications previously issued pre-approvals with one-time validity. Accordingly, the importer or manufacturer is required to apply for a new type approval under the TRA regime, which is valid for a period of two (2) years.
Q3: What are the items (information, documentation, test reports etc) required for the approval application? Is the Regulatory Type Approval connected with the importation process in any way (e.g. must each shipment includes a copy of the Approval Certificate or other proof of Type Approval prior to import?)
A3:
All the information about the Type Approval processes and the required documents for each class of RTTE and for NIE can be found in the Type Approval Regulation on the TRA website
www.tra.gov.lb Prior to the importation of the RTTE and/or NIE, the importer should apply for an Import License for the specific class of RTTE and/or for NIE and then apply for type approval related to the imported types of equipment. Copies of the Import License and the Type Approval certificate should be included in the document presented to the customs upon importing the approved equipments and during the validity period of both the license and the TA certificate.
Q4: Is a Local rep. with a Class 2 import license allowed to import Class 2 devices for different manufacturers?
A4:
An importer holding a Class 2 Import License can import any type of Class 2 RTTE for different manufacturers, (considering also that he already has the appropriate Type Approvals for the corresponding RTTEs).