BICMA type approval is mandatory for all wireless and telecom terminal equipment entering Bhutan. CCC and SRRC approvals obtained for the Chinese market do not fulfil this requirement. Engage a Bhutanese authorised importer to submit the type approval application.

Cybersecurity (Bhutan ICM Act 2018 / BICMA)?

The Bhutan ICM Act 2018 establishes cybersecurity obligations that wireless device importers must observe. There are no Bhutan-specific published IoT security technical standards at this date; align with internationally recognised baselines such as ETSI EN 303 645. Chinese cybersecurity certifications do not transfer to Bhutan. Ensure device cloud dependencies are compatible with Bhutan internet routing via India.

Electrical Safety (BSB / BNS-IEC, 230 V / 50 Hz)?

Electrical safety certification under BNS/IEC-aligned standards is required for Bhutan. Chinese CCC certification is not recognised. Plug type must be adapted to Type D (Indian 3-pin round) for Bhutan retail. IEC 62368-1 test reports from an ILAC-accredited lab may support BSB review but equivalence must be confirmed with BSB.

EMC Testing (BSB / BNS-IEC)?

EMC compliance under BNS/IEC-aligned standards is required for Bhutan market access. Existing GB-based EMC test reports may partially support BSB submissions if conducted at an ILAC MRA-recognised lab, but this must be confirmed with BSB directly before assuming equivalence.

Radio Frequency Spectrum — 5 GHz Indoor Restriction?

Bhutan enforces a 5 GHz indoor-only restriction consistent with international practice. Devices must be configured and labelled for indoor use only in those sub-bands. This largely aligns with Chinese SRRC restrictions, but the BICMA approval process must still be completed independently.

Local Bhutanese Authorised Importer / Agent?

Appointment of a local Bhutanese authorised importer is a prerequisite for BICMA type approval and market entry. Chinese manufacturers must identify and contract with a Thimphu-based entity before commencing any commercialisation activity. The trade logistics route via India must also be factored into timelines and costs.

Exporting Wireless Devices from China to Bhutan — BICMA Type Approval & BSB Requirements

GAP MATRIX

Compliance Gap Matrix

Gap matrix
Compliance item	Common China baseline	Bhutan (BICMA / BSB)	Gap / action	Source + verification date
BICMA Type Approval	In China, radio transmitters require MIIT/SRRC (State Radio Regulatory Commission) type approval. Telecom terminal equipment requires MIIT Network Access License (NAL). CCC certification covers certain telecom and IT products for electrical safety.Radio Regulations of the People's Republic of China MIIT Telecom Equipment Type Approval (NAL) rules GB/T 9254 series CCC (3C) certification catalogue	All radio and telecom terminal equipment must obtain BICMA (Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority) type approval before import or use in Bhutan. The applicant submits an application with test reports from an accredited laboratory. CE, FCC, and CCC marks are not recognised by BICMA and do not substitute for Bhutanese type approval.Bhutan Information, Communications and Media Act 2018 BICMA Type Approval Regulations BICMA Licensing and Regulatory Framework	A fully CCC/SRRC-certified Chinese product still requires a separate, independent BICMA type approval for the Bhutanese market. No mutual recognition agreement exists between China and Bhutan. Test reports may need to be from an internationally accredited lab acceptable to BICMA.[INFORMATIONAL] BICMA type approval is mandatory for all wireless and telecom terminal equipment entering Bhutan. CCC and SRRC approvals obtained for the Chinese market do not fulfil this requirement. Engage a Bhutanese authorised importer to submit the type approval application.	Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA)2026-06-17 · reference
Cybersecurity (Bhutan ICM Act 2018 / BICMA)	China has comprehensive cybersecurity requirements under the Cybersecurity Law (2017), Data Security Law (2021), Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL, 2021), and MIIT IoT security standards. Network-connected products may require MIIT security assessment and network access certification. China's cybersecurity framework is among the strictest globally.PRC Cybersecurity Law 2017 PRC Data Security Law 2021 PRC Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) 2021 GB/T 35273 (personal information security specification) MIIT IoT security technical requirements	The Bhutan Information, Communications and Media Act 2018 (ICM Act) establishes the cybersecurity and content governance framework. BICMA is the enforcement body. Wireless devices with network connectivity must not include features that undermine network integrity or circumvent Bhutan's internet governance (Bhutan's internet is heavily mediated through India's infrastructure). There are no published Bhutan-specific IoT security technical standards as of the data version date; devices should comply with internationally recognised baselines (e.g., ETSI EN 303 645 or equivalent). Dzongkha-language labelling on retail packaging is desirable though not yet formally mandated for cybersecurity.Bhutan Information, Communications and Media Act 2018 BICMA Cybersecurity Guidelines ETSI EN 303 645 (international IoT security baseline, referenced) Bhutan Penal Code (cyber offences provisions)	Bhutan's cybersecurity regulatory framework is less prescriptive technically than China's. However, Chinese products must not rely on Chinese-specific cloud infrastructure (e.g., mainland servers) in ways that conflict with Bhutan's internet governance or BICMA licensing. The internet route via India may impose additional latency and filtering constraints. Dzongkha labelling, while not mandated, supports local compliance posture. No formal equivalence exists between Chinese cybersecurity certifications and Bhutanese requirements.[INFORMATIONAL] The Bhutan ICM Act 2018 establishes cybersecurity obligations that wireless device importers must observe. There are no Bhutan-specific published IoT security technical standards at this date; align with internationally recognised baselines such as ETSI EN 303 645. Chinese cybersecurity certifications do not transfer to Bhutan. Ensure device cloud dependencies are compatible with Bhutan internet routing via India.	Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA)2026-06-17 · reference
Electrical Safety (BSB / BNS-IEC, 230 V / 50 Hz)	China uses 220 V / 50 Hz with Type A and Type I plugs. CCC (China Compulsory Certification) covers electrical safety for information technology and audio-visual equipment under GB 4943.1 (aligned with IEC 62368-1). Products certified under CCC meet Chinese grid and safety standards.GB 4943.1 (Safety of information technology equipment, IEC 62368-1 aligned) CCC (3C) mandatory certification GB 8898 (Audio, video, and similar electronic apparatus — safety) GB 13000 (power supply standards)	Bhutan operates at 230 V / 50 Hz. BSB adopts BNS electrical safety standards aligned with IEC 62368-1 (audio/video, IT, and communication equipment) and IEC 60950-1 (legacy). Plug types in use are Type D (Indian 3-pin round, most common), Type G (UK 3-pin), and Type F (Schuko), with Type D predominant. Devices must be rated for 230 V / 50 Hz and supplied with or adaptable to Type D plugs for the Bhutan market. BIS (India) standards influence BNS given Bhutan's special trade relationship with India.BNS electrical safety standards (IEC 62368-1 aligned) IEC 62368-1:2018 (Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment) IEC 60950-1 (legacy, being superseded) BSB product certification requirements India BIS IS 13252 / IS 616 (influential reference)	Chinese products are designed for 220 V / 50 Hz with Type A/I plugs. Bhutan uses 230 V / 50 Hz with primarily Type D (Indian) plugs. The 10 V voltage difference is generally within tolerance for most power supplies, but plug type must be adapted. CCC does not fulfil BSB/BNS certification. A separate BSB electrical safety review or acceptance of IEC-accredited test reports is required. Dzongkha labelling on retail packaging is desirable.[INFORMATIONAL] Electrical safety certification under BNS/IEC-aligned standards is required for Bhutan. Chinese CCC certification is not recognised. Plug type must be adapted to Type D (Indian 3-pin round) for Bhutan retail. IEC 62368-1 test reports from an ILAC-accredited lab may support BSB review but equivalence must be confirmed with BSB.	Bhutan Standards Bureau (BSB)2026-06-17 · reference
EMC Testing (BSB / BNS-IEC)	China requires EMC compliance under GB/T 9254 (information technology equipment emissions), GB/T 17618 (immunity), and related GB standards administered by SAMR and tested at CNAS-accredited labs. SRRC approval covers radio frequency compliance.GB/T 9254 (Class A/B EMC emissions) GB/T 17618 (EMC immunity) GB 13837, GB 8702 (radio interference) SRRC frequency allocation and type approval	Bhutan Standards Bureau (BSB) adopts BNS standards largely aligned with IEC/CISPR. Wireless devices must meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) emission and immunity limits under BNS/IEC standards. India BIS influence is noted given Bhutan's special relationship with India; IEC-aligned standards are generally the reference. Test reports from internationally accredited laboratories are acceptable to BSB.BNS standards (Bhutan National Standards, IEC/ISO aligned) CISPR 32 / IEC 61000-series (EMC emissions and immunity) BICMA spectrum management requirements	GB EMC standards broadly align with IEC/CISPR but are not identical. Chinese test reports from CNAS labs may be accepted by BSB if the lab holds ILAC mutual recognition; confirm with BSB before relying on Chinese test data. SRRC approval does not transfer to Bhutan spectrum management.[INFORMATIONAL] EMC compliance under BNS/IEC-aligned standards is required for Bhutan market access. Existing GB-based EMC test reports may partially support BSB submissions if conducted at an ILAC MRA-recognised lab, but this must be confirmed with BSB directly before assuming equivalence.	Bhutan Standards Bureau (BSB)2026-06-17 · reference
Radio Frequency Spectrum — 5 GHz Indoor Restriction	China (MIIT/SRRC) also applies indoor-only restrictions to 5150–5350 MHz Wi-Fi. The Chinese SRRC type approval encodes the permitted operating environment. Chinese devices for the 5 GHz band are generally certified indoor-only for these sub-bands already.SRRC type approval — operating environment classification MIIT frequency allocation table (5 GHz bands) GB 15153 (radio interference limits for ISM)	Bhutan applies a 5 GHz indoor-only restriction for certain Wi-Fi bands (particularly 5150–5350 MHz). Devices capable of outdoor operation in these bands must be configured or labelled as indoor-only. BICMA manages spectrum allocation under the Bhutan Information, Communications and Media Act 2018. Bhutan's internet infrastructure is heavily mediated through India's network, affecting frequency coordination.Bhutan Information, Communications and Media Act 2018 BICMA Spectrum Management Framework ITU Radio Regulations (Bhutan is ITU member)	While China and Bhutan share the 5150–5350 MHz indoor-only rule, Bhutanese BICMA must independently verify the device's spectrum compliance. Chinese SRRC approval documentation can be submitted to support the BICMA application but does not replace it. Labelling must reflect Bhutan's indoor restriction requirement.[INFORMATIONAL] Bhutan enforces a 5 GHz indoor-only restriction consistent with international practice. Devices must be configured and labelled for indoor use only in those sub-bands. This largely aligns with Chinese SRRC restrictions, but the BICMA approval process must still be completed independently.	Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA)2026-06-17 · reference
Local Bhutanese Authorised Importer / Agent	China requires manufacturers or their authorised Chinese-entity agents to hold MIIT Network Access Licenses and SRRC type approvals. For imported products entering China, a Chinese responsible entity (agent or importer) must be registered. There is no direct Bhutan equivalent for a Chinese importer role on the Chinese side — the obligation is on the Bhutan-side importer.MIIT NAL (Network Access License) agent/manufacturer registration SRRC authorised agent requirements PRC Customs import declaration requirements	A local Bhutanese authorised importer or agent must be appointed before wireless devices can be imported into Bhutan. Most importers are Thimphu-based. The importer is the BICMA type approval applicant of record, the entity responsible for post-market compliance, and the point of contact for BSB product-related obligations. China-to-Bhutan formal trade routes typically go via India due to the absence of direct Sino-Bhutanese trade channels (China and Bhutan have disputed border territories and limited direct trade infrastructure).Bhutan Information, Communications and Media Act 2018 BICMA Licensing and Authorisation requirements Bhutan Trade Classification and Customs Tariff Bhutan-India Trade and Transit Agreement	The Chinese manufacturer has no pre-existing Bhutan market presence and must recruit a Thimphu-based Bhutanese entity as the authorised importer. This entity files for BICMA type approval, clears customs (typically via India), and assumes liability for post-market compliance. The trade route via India adds logistical complexity and potential Indian customs/standards checkpoints.[INFORMATIONAL] Appointment of a local Bhutanese authorised importer is a prerequisite for BICMA type approval and market entry. Chinese manufacturers must identify and contract with a Thimphu-based entity before commencing any commercialisation activity. The trade logistics route via India must also be factored into timelines and costs.	Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA)2026-06-17 · reference

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Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) · accessed 2026-06-17 · reference · used in 4 rows
Bhutan Standards Bureau (BSB) · accessed 2026-06-17 · reference · used in 2 rows