Import of media box - ICASA

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narf23

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I recently ordered an Android Mini PC TV Box to turn my TV into a smart TV (basically want to play Showmax / Netflix) but received Post Office card asking to please produce ICASA Certificate.

When inquiring - was told the device has to be sent to ICASA for testing at a cost of R4000 due to having WiFi.

Is this normal? Any way to get around this?
 
narf23 said:
I recently ordered an Android Mini PC TV Box to turn my TV into a smart TV (basically want to play Showmax / Netflix) but received Post Office card asking to please produce ICASA Certificate.

When inquiring - was told the device has to be sent to ICASA for testing at a cost of R4000 due to having WiFi.

Is this normal? Any way to get around this?
Click to expand...

No there is no correct above board way around this. You have to either get the device tested by ICASA or produce a certificate issued by an ICASA recognised test facility from the country of origin, proving that the device complies with the regulations under which wi fi devices are expected to operate.

That is the danger you expose yourself to when ordering devices with radio transmitters in them from other parts of the World.

You could approach ICASA to see if they have previously tested the device and are able to confirm that it complies with regulations as a first step.
 
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I see myself potentially facing this issue
 
This whole certification business is utter BS, considering most modern devices like these operate to a set standard
 
narf23 said:
I recently ordered an Android Mini PC TV Box to turn my TV into a smart TV (basically want to play Showmax / Netflix) but received Post Office card asking to please produce ICASA Certificate.

When inquiring - was told the device has to be sent to ICASA for testing at a cost of R4000 due to having WiFi.

Is this normal? Any way to get around this?
Click to expand...

Seems multi-choice is one step ahead of us now :(
 
Segg said:
This whole certification business is utter BS, considering most modern devices like these operate to a set standard
Click to expand...

It is NOT BS. It is a requirement of the ITU that each country ensures products sold in their environment comply with the standards that particular country has committed to uphold. It is NOT a given that manufacturers all over the World comply and neither is it given that all standards are same.

The lack of some or enforcement of standards leads to dumping of inferior products into a market.
 
Why dont you guys just buy it of BoB?There is alot of local stock...
 
You could also get an Apple TV for that price, or build a Raspberry pie to stream your apps
 
Yes correct. Why persons have this propensity to buy on line when they can get the same or similar locally is beyond me.
 
Which post office, that would be if you don't mind me asking. I have imported media players before and never had a problem. What about a laptop, do we need to send it to ICASA as well, it has a Wi-Fi. How retarded all of this is.
 
Next time you are in a store, check the bottom of the laptops on display --- There will be an ICASA sticker if it is wireless enabled.

It think it is simple. At last ICASA and the other players are doing what they should have been doing all along --- Implementing the laws of this country ...
 
bavmorda said:
Which post office, that would be if you don't mind me asking. I have imported media players before and never had a problem. What about a laptop, do we need to send it to ICASA as well, it has a Wi-Fi. How retarded all of this is.
Click to expand...

IF you purchased a laptop off shore and are trying to import it then yes, it should be approved by ICASA if it is wireless enabled.
 
daniellgr said:
IF you purchased a laptop off shore and are trying to import it then yes, it should be approved by ICASA if it is wireless enabled.
Click to expand...

do you think ICASA tests all of these? What about WiFi cards that are already ICASA approved, why doesn't ICASA publish a "white list" of cards already approved and allow those? why do they insist on having a sticker on every device? seems like its all about the $$$.
 
Park@82 said:
do you think ICASA tests all of these? What about WiFi cards that are already ICASA approved, why doesn't ICASA publish a "white list" of cards already approved and allow those? why do they insist on having a sticker on every device? seems like its all about the $$$.
Click to expand...

Here is the link. The on line DB has not been updated since 2014 .

Here is the link dealing with labelling, which allows for "e-labelling"
 
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daniellgr said:
IF you purchased a laptop off shore and are trying to import it then yes, it should be approved by ICASA if it is wireless enabled.
Click to expand...

Thanks, did not know this. I guess I'm lucky then, since all my LTs are imported from US and ICASA did not have to approve anything, the same as my media players. This is why I asked which PO, that would be.
 
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