#Faq

SIRIM Import Permit: Communications Equipment (Business)

12 April 2026 5 mins

Importing communication equipment into Malaysia requires an import permit known as the Certificate of Approval (COA) from SIRIM. The procedure and requirements for obtaining this import permit vary depending on the nature of the business.

There are three types of businesses for which the import permits are categorized: company internal use, local sales, and commercial use.

To simplify things for you, we have put together a list of frequently asked questions along with direct answers about:

If you are importing communication equipment for any of these purposes, you must apply for Special Approval before obtaining the COA from SIRIM. The Special Approval ensures compliance with the regulations specified by the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

What is a Certificate of Approval (COA) and Special Approval?

When a business imports communication equipment into Malaysia, two different documents from SIRIM are involved, and they are often confused:

Special Approval is the product certification. It confirms that the specific device you want to import complies with the technical and frequency requirements set by the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission (MCMC). This is issued by SIRIM QAS through the eComM portal and typically takes 2–4 weeks, because SIRIM needs to evaluate a sample of the equipment (or review photos / conduct an on-site inspection).
Certificate of Approval (COA) is the import permit itself. Once you have Special Approval, you apply for the COA through the ePermit DagangNet portal, referencing your Special Approval file number. The COA is what Malaysian Customs actually looks at when releasing your shipment. It is typically approved within 24 hours.

In short, special Approval certifies the product; the COA lets you bring it into the country.

Both are required for a business import, and they must be applied in that order. Special Approval first, COA second.

Which SIRIM Approval Path Does My Business Need?

SIRIM splits business imports of communication equipment into three routes depending on what the equipment will be used for. Before you start any application, identify which route applies to you, because the process, fees, and documentation differ.

Route 1 - Company internal use.

For businesses importing equipment that will only be used inside the company (not sold, not distributed, not given to customers). This route goes through Special Approval, then COA.

Within this route, SIRIM recognises five sub-purposes: company's own use, trials/market surveys/demonstrations, exhibitions, research and development, and training. Only the "own use" sub-purpose requires physical sample submission to SIRIM for evaluation. The other four can use photo submission or on-site inspection. The rest of this page explains the company internal use route in detail.

Route 2 - Local sales (Type Approval)

For businesses importing equipment to sell to customers in Malaysia. This route goes through Type Approval, which is a stricter certification than Special Approval. It involves factory audit, sample testing, and a pattern approval certificate, and the licence is valid for one year with surveillance audits at renewal. Type Approval file numbers follow the format SQASI/TA/YY/XXXX. If this is your route, contact SIRIM QAS directly or speak to DHL Express Malaysia's customs team before proceeding, as the requirements go beyond the scope of this FAQ.

Route 3 - Commercial use

For businesses importing equipment as part of a commercial service offering (for example, telecommunications service providers importing network equipment for customer deployment). This overlaps with Type Approval and may also require additional licensing from MCMC depending on the service. This route is handled case-by-case.

Quick reference

Your Situation	Route	Certification	Permit
Equipment for the company's own internal use	Company internal use	Special Approval	COA
Demo / trial / R&D / training / exhibition	Company internal use	Special Approval (no sample required for these sub-purposes)	COA
Importing to sell to end customers in Malaysia	Local sales	Type Approval	COA
Importing as part of a commercial telecom/network service	Commercial use	Type Approval (+ MCMC licensing)	COA

SIRIM Permit Business Applications and Requirements

Yes, you will need an import permit known as the Certificate of Approval (COA) when importing communications equipment for company use.

To obtain this permit, your product must comply with the Special Approval requirements set by the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

In simple terms, your product must undergo product certification before you can apply for the COA.

There are 5 categories of purposes for company internal use which are:

Company’s own use
Trials, market surveys, or demonstrations of equipment using network connections
Exhibition purposes without network connection
Research and development
Training

This requirement applies to communications equipment, multimedia devices, and hybrid products (non-communication items with wireless features like WiFi and Bluetooth, such as Bluetooth earphones).

No, you cannot walk in to apply for the import permit.

The application must be submitted online through the eComM website.

Yes, DHL Express Malaysia can help with the application. DHL assistance is most useful for businesses on the company internal use route (Special Approval + COA), where our customs team can handle the eComM submission and the ePermit DagangNet COA application on your behalf.

Provide us with the following information:

ROC (Registrar of Companies) number
Form 9/Form 13/SSM
Login details of eComM and DagangNet (if already registered)
Product specification/datasheet for an item

The DHL service fee is RM150, and the SIRIM processing fee varies according to the purpose of importation. A quotation will be provided for approval.

The DHL service fee is RM150, and the SIRIM processing fees (RM100 + RM300 for Special Approval, plus the COA fees detailed below) are separate. A full quotation will be provided for your approval before we begin.

For Type Approval (local sales) or commercial use applications, the scope is broader and may include factory audit coordination. These cases require a custom quotation. You can set this up through your DHL Express business account and work with your dedicated account manager to assess your requirements.

Yes. To apply for Special Approval, Type Approval, or a COA under any business route, you need a business entity registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). When registering as a "Company" on the SIRIM eComM portal, you will be asked to provide:

Your ROC (Registrar of Companies) number
SSM registration documents (Form 9, Form 13, or the equivalent Sdn. Bhd. / Enterprise registration certificate)
Company profile details

Sole proprietors and partnerships registered with SSM can also apply through the business route. If you are not SSM-registered and are importing for your own personal use rather than for your business, you should use the personal use route (SACL) instead. This applies even if the shipment is addressed to you at your business address, as long as the equipment is for your own personal use and not for company operations.

SIRIM Product Certification

The Special Approval certification for communications equipment involves two fees which are the processing fee and the evaluation fee.

Processing Fee: RM100 per application
Evaluation Fee: RM300 per application

Note: Testing fees are not included in the evaluation fees. However, the evaluation fee will be waived if the equipment is tested at SIRIM Lab using an internal test report.

Yes, you must send the product to SIRIM QAS for evaluation if you are importing communication equipment for your company's own use.

However, if you are importing the equipment for trials, market surveys, demonstrations, exhibitions, research and development, or training purposes, you are not required to send the product for evaluation.

The processing time for Special Approval certification typically takes two to four weeks from the date of sample submission.

There are 5 steps to apply for the Special Approval certification for communications equipment intended for company use:

Step 1: Registration

Step 2: Special Approval (SA) application submission

Step 3: Payment

Step 4: Product submission for evaluation/testing

Step 5: Import permit preparation

For more details, read the complete guide.

You should apply for the Special Approval certification before preparing your shipment for import.

This is because the processing time will take two to four weeks.

Yes, all equipment must be recertified to ensure compliance with local requirements.

However, SIRIM accepts test reports from the following sources:

Laboratories recognized by SKMM under Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs)
Laboratories under SIRIM Berhad or SIRIM QAS INTERNATIONAL SDN. BHD.
Laboratories accredited under the national laboratory accreditation scheme managed by the Department of Standards Malaysia (STANDARDS MALAYSIA) known as Skim Akreditasi Makmal Malaysia (SAMM)
Laboratories under the IECEE CB Scheme, with the test report accompanied by a CB test certificate

Laboratories accredited by accreditation bodies that have signed accreditation cooperation agreements with STANDARDS MALAYSIA, such as APLAC or ILAC.

Special Approval can fail at one of two stages:

Documentation or technical rejection. If SIRIM finds the submitted documents, test reports, or technical specifications incomplete or non-compliant, you will receive a notification through eComM asking for corrections. You can usually resubmit the same application with the requested information. Common reasons include missing CB test certificates, unclear product specifications, or test reports from laboratories SIRIM does not recognise.
Frequency or regulatory prohibition. If the equipment uses a frequency band that is not permitted in Malaysia, or includes features restricted by MCMC, the Special Approval will be refused outright. In this case, the equipment cannot be imported for use in Malaysia, and the shipment will need to be returned to the sender or abandoned.

For imports that require factory audit as part of the evaluation (typical for Type Approval), a Non-Conformance Report (NCR) from the audit must be resolved before certification can proceed. This may add time to the 2–4 week processing window.

Because rejection is a real commercial risk, we recommend validating your product's frequency compliance and the acceptability of any foreign test reports with SIRIM QAS before committing to shipment. DHL Express Malaysia's customs team can help you assess feasibility before you apply.