A clearing agent for ICT and office equipment resellers serves a high-value, fast-moving, heavily regulated trade. Laptops, phones, routers, printers, servers, CCTV and office electronics are small, valuable and easily mistaken for something else, and several overlapping regimes now apply: Communications Authority type approval, the new distributor licence, EPR, anti-counterfeit enforcement and a proposed age rule for used electronics. Resellers who treat this as ordinary cargo are the ones who get caught.

Why ICT Imports Are Different

Value density is high, so a single mistake is expensive. Theft and loss risk is higher, so insurance and handling matter. And regulation is layered: product certification, type approval, licensing and environmental obligations all apply to different parts of a typical reseller’s range. An agent who treats an electronics container like general merchandise will miss at least one of them.

The Communications Authority Layer

Phones, routers, modems and other communications equipment need Communications Authority type approval, and importers and wholesalers of such equipment now also need a Communications Equipment Distributor licence. The distributor licence carries a substantial initial fee, an annual fee and real penalties for operating without it, and existing vendor and contractor licence holders are not automatically covered. Our telecommunications equipment guide explains the details. Check your licence before you place a single order.

Used and Refurbished Electronics

Resellers in refurbished stock should follow the proposed 12-year age limit and functionality testing regime described in our used electronics guide. It was in draft form when we last checked, so confirm its current status before shipping, and keep test records and serial-level documentation either way.

EPR, Counterfeits and Brand Authority

Electrical and electronic equipment and batteries fall under Extended Producer Responsibility, so confirm your EPR certificate position per our EPR guide. The Anti-Counterfeit Authority concentrates on imported fakes, so keep brand authorisation letters and distributor agreements on file; see our Anti-Counterfeit Authority guide. For CCTV and monitoring devices, security-sector licensing also applies; see our security equipment guide.

Air Freight, Valuation and Insurance

Many resellers ship by air to JKIA to move stock quickly, accepting a freight premium; compare options with our air versus sea guide. Declared values must be accurate and consistent across invoice, packing list and payment records, since under-declaration invites reassessment. Ensure your local marine cargo insurance actually covers the value and risk profile of electronics.

Documentation Pack for ICT Imports

Itemised invoice with model numbers, quantities and unit values
Packing list matching the invoice and any serial-number schedules
Communications Authority type approval and distributor licence evidence
KEBS certificates where applicable
Certificate of Origin, export declaration document and Advance Cargo Declaration reference
EPR certificate and brand authorisation letters
For refurbished goods: test and condition records

Working With Clearon Logistics for Resellers

We check type approval, licensing and EPR before the order, reconcile documents line by line, and give you an itemised cost view so you can price confidently.

Importing laptops, phones, networking or office equipment for resale? Talk to Clearon Logistics before your next order, and we’ll check the licences and certificates your range needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licence to import phones and routers for resale? Yes. Communications equipment importers and wholesalers now need a Communications Equipment Distributor licence in addition to type approval.

Is there an age limit for refurbished electronics? A 12-year limit with functionality testing has been proposed. Confirm its current status before shipping refurbished stock.

Why are brand authorisation letters useful? Because the Anti-Counterfeit Authority concentrates on imported fakes, and documents proving authorised supply help protect genuine stock.

Is air freight worth it for electronics? Often, for high-value, time-sensitive stock, but compare against sea freight for planned restocking.