If you have ever paid attention to shared power bank cabinets, public smart charging piles in the Chinese market, or purchased domestic charging devices with independent networking functions, there is a high probability that you have seen a blue sticker with a number printed on it, marked “Network Access Permit”. Many overseas users confuse it with quality certification or wireless certification, and even think that all chargers must have this sticker to be genuine — in fact, its scope of application and rule boundaries are very clear, and it is completely different from the familiar 3C and SRRC certifications.
First, Get the Basics Right: What Exactly Is It
In the simplest terms, a network access license is the **”legal ID card” for devices that directly access China’s public telecommunication network**. Let us clarify first: this article focuses on the most common cellular access scenario in charging products, that is, direct access to the mobile communication networks of the three major operators (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) via SIM/eSIM, IMEI, etc. The official scope of the public telecommunication network is not limited to this, but for charging devices, the vast majority of scenarios requiring network access licenses fall into the category of direct access to the cellular public network, without needing to route through home or commercial routers.
There are several core attributes of this license that you should keep in mind first: it is a mandatory access requirement in China, not a certification that enterprises participate in voluntarily; the license is issued to **the device itself**, which is completely different from the “Telecom Business Operation License” that targets entities providing telecom business operations — for hardware such as shared power bank cabinets that have built-in cellular communication capabilities, what needs to be verified is the device’s network access license.
Its official full name is **Telecommunication Equipment Network Access License (NAL for short)**, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (MIIT for short). It is one of the core certificates in China’s radio and network access regulatory system, with a standard validity period of 3 years, and a new application is required after expiration.
For charging products, the practical functions of this license are very specific: first, to ensure that smart charging devices with cellular networking functions do not randomly transmit signals that interfere with the entire network when accessing the public network; second, to prevent networked charging devices from illegally collecting sensitive content such as electricity consumption data, payment information, and home network passwords; third, to ensure that public facilities such as shared charging devices and smart charging piles can be used normally and compatibly across networks of different operators.
Let us first clarify a few common beginner misconceptions:
First, **not all charging products require this license** — only devices that directly access the public network may be involved; second, **it is not a quality certification** — it only manages the compliance of network access, and does not mean that the device has better charging speed or durability; third, **it is not “required as long as it can access the internet”** — if the device only accesses the internet via home WiFi or commercial routers, it is “routing through” a third-party network and does not directly connect to the operator’s core network, so it does not need a network access license.
Do Charging Products Need a License? You Can Judge Quickly After Reading This
Faced with a wide variety of charging products, you don’t need to memorize the rules by rote; you can make a quick judgment following the logic below.
Products That Definitely Require a License
All charging devices that directly access China’s public telecommunication network are within the scope of mandatory license application. There are three common categories:
The first category is shared power bank cabinets, smart charging piles, and public charging sockets with cellular communication modules such as 4G, 5G, and NB-IoT — these devices need to upload order and status data in real time, and all connect to the operator’s network directly via inserted SIM cards.
The second category is smart devices with built-in SIM cards or eSIMs whose core function is charging, such as emergency jump starters with cellular positioning functions and outdoor smart power banks.
The third category is USB-C multi-functional charging docks that integrate cellular access functions and are sold as communication terminals — for example, some charging docks that can directly insert a SIM card to act as a portable WiFi device fall into this category.
Products That Definitely Do Not Require a License
The following categories of charging products have nothing to do with network access licenses, and it is normal for them not to have this license:
First, ordinary chargers, power adapters, charging cables, and charging plugs/ports without any networking functions — these purely hardware products do not involve network access at all, so naturally they do not need it.
Second, smart charging devices that only have short-range wireless functions such as Bluetooth and NFC and do not access the public network — for example, a wireless charging pad with Bluetooth pop-up pairing, which only pairs with mobile phones at close range and does not connect to the public network, does not need it.
The third category is smart chargers and charging sockets that only have WiFi function and access the internet via home or commercial routers — for example, the WiFi smart power strip you use at home connects to the internet via your home router, not directly to the operator’s network, so it does not need a license.
Finally, charging products that are only for export and not sold or used within China naturally do not need to comply with China’s network access license requirements.
For Uncertain Borderline Cases, Judge According to These 3 Logics
If you encounter ambiguous products, you can judge from three dimensions:
First, look at the **product role**: if it is just a pure charging accessory, such as a charging cable or ordinary charging head, there is no need to consider it;
Second, look at the **access method**: as long as it directly connects to the operator’s network (for example, it can insert a SIM card, has an independent IMEI number), it is required; if it is relayed through a third-party router, it is not required;
Third, remember the core principle: **a licensed cellular module ≠ a licensed complete device** — a complete charging device integrated with a licensed cellular module still needs to apply for a network access license separately.
10-Second Quick Judgment Tip for Ordinary Users
If you don’t want to study the rules, just check three places:
Check if the product promotional page has descriptions such as “SIM card networking”, “4G/5G independent communication”, or “internet access without WiFi” — if yes, it most likely requires a license;
Check if the product structure has a SIM card slot or cellular antenna mark — note that a USB-C port for pure charging does not count, it is only for charging;
Check the sales version: charging products marked “overseas version” or “export version” do not need a Chinese network access license only when it is confirmed that they are not sold, deployed, or connected to China’s public network within China; if such versions are sold within China or connected to the public network via SIM card, it is still necessary to judge whether a license is required according to the actual access scenario.
Don’t Confuse It with Other Certifications: Core Differences Explained Clearly at Once
Many users confuse network access licenses with 3C, SRRC, and operator certifications. In fact, their regulatory directions are completely different, and a comparison table can quickly clarify them:
| Certification Type | Regulatory Focus | Applicable Charging Products | Is It Legally Mandatory? | Common Mark Locations |
| 3C Certification | Electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility | Chargers, power adapters, plugs and sockets, smart charging devices with circuits, etc. that are in the CCC catalog | Yes (mandatory for products in the catalog) | Product body, outer packaging |
| SRRC Type Approval | Compliance of radio signal transmission | Charging products with wireless functions such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular | Yes | Product body, instruction manual, outer packaging |
| Network Access License | Legitimacy of public network access | Cellular-enabled charging products that directly access China’s public telecommunication network | Yes | Product body, outer packaging, system settings (electronic mark) |
| Operator Certification | Commercial cooperation adaptation requirements | Shared charging devices deployed in cooperation with operators, etc. | No (only a commercial requirement) | Operator cooperation announcements, product cooperation marks |
Let us break down the most easily confused pairs separately:
Difference from 3C Certification: Safety Access vs Network Access
3C certification manages the electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility of devices, such as whether it will leak electricity or interfere with the TV signal at home, and it is the most basic safety access; while the network access license manages whether the device can legally access the public telecommunication network.
For charging products, ordinary chargers that are in the CCC catalog only need to meet 3C requirements; if it is a charging device with cellular function that needs to access the public network, in addition to meeting the corresponding 3C requirements, it also needs to obtain a network access license.
Difference from SRRC Type Approval: Wireless Transmission Compliance vs Network Access Compliance
SRRC Type Approval manages whether the radio signal transmission of the device is compliant and whether it will randomly transmit signals that interfere with other devices. It is required for all devices with wireless functions (whether WiFi, Bluetooth, or cellular); while the network access license manages whether the device can access the operator’s public network, and is only required for devices with cellular functions that directly access the public network.
Corresponding to charging products: smart charging devices with WiFi and Bluetooth need to obtain SRRC Type Approval, and those in the CCC catalog also need to meet 3C requirements; those with cellular functions that directly access the public network need to meet SRRC, corresponding 3C requirements, and network access license at the same time.
Difference from Operator Certification: Commercial Requirements vs Legal Mandatory
Operator certification is the operator’s own commercial cooperation requirement. For example, if you want to cooperate with an operator to deploy shared power banks, the operator may require the device to adapt to its own network, but this is not legally mandatory; while the network access license is a unified national legal mandatory requirement. As long as the device needs to access China’s public network, no matter which operator you cooperate with, you must first have a network access license.
Of course, if it is a shared charging device deployed in cooperation with an operator, it may require both the legal network access license and the operator’s commercial certification, which is commonly referred to as “dual certificates”.
Several Most Common Confusion Misconceptions
Here are a few key points to avoid pitfalls:
• Having 3C ≠ no need for network access: For charging devices with cellular functions that need to directly access the public network, 3C and network access licenses have different regulatory directions, cannot replace each other, and need to meet corresponding requirements at the same time;
• Having SRRC ≠ having network access: Compliance with wireless signals does not mean that you can legally access the public network; these are two completely independent approvals;
• Imported products and overseas certifications cannot replace the network access license: As long as the device is sold within China and accesses China’s public network, even if it has overseas certifications such as FCC and CE, it must re-apply for China’s network access license.
How to Identify a Network Access License? Step-by-Step Guide to Authenticity Query
Network access license marks have different forms, and there are many cases of forgery, so it is necessary to learn to identify and query them.
What Does the Network Access License for Charging Products Look Like?
There are two common forms:
The first is **paper sticker**, mostly blue self-adhesive, usually affixed to the bottom of charging piles, the side of shared power bank cabinets, or the outer packaging and instruction manuals of products. There are three core pieces of information on the sticker: network access license number, device model, and applicant enterprise. Some new stickers also come with a verification QR code.
The second is **electronic mark**: for smart charging devices with a screen (such as home smart charging piles with a display screen), the electronic network access license can be found on the “About Device” page in the system settings, and the information is consistent with the paper sticker.
Official Query Channels and Operation Steps
Don’t think it is compliant just because there is a sticker affixed. Be sure to verify it through official channels. The query method is very simple:
There are two official query entrances: one is the official website of MIIT’s Telecommunication Equipment Network Access Management, and the other is the official WeChat and Alipay mini-programs (you can find them by searching “Network Access License Query”).
When querying, you can directly enter the network access license number or device model, or directly scan the QR code on the sticker. When checking, pay attention to three key points:
First, **the product model must be completely consistent** — even if there is only one letter or suffix difference, it may be a fraudulently used license;
Second, **the applicant enterprise must correspond to the product brand or manufacturer**;
Third, **the license status must be “valid”** — expired or canceled licenses are non-compliant.
Common Mark Violation Situations
There are three common types of violations on the market, so be careful when buying:
First, counterfeit products directly forge network access stickers — either the license number cannot be found at all, or the model found does not match the product;
Second, merchants fraudulently use network access licenses of other models, for example, affixing the license of an old model to a new model product. It seems that the license number is real, but the model does not match;
Third, using 3C or SRRC marks to impersonate network access licenses, deliberately confusing concepts to mislead consumers.
Go Deeper: Core Rules and Risks of No License
If you are engaged in cross-border e-commerce, or want to purchase charging devices in bulk to enter the Chinese market, you need to understand the more underlying rules and risks; ordinary users can also better avoid pitfalls after understanding them.
Prerequisites for Applying for a Network Access License
Not any enterprise can apply for a network access license. There are three hard prerequisites:
First, the corresponding pre-compliance requirements must be met first: if the complete device or its power supply part is in the CCC catalog, 3C certification should be obtained first; if it has radio transmission functions such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular, the corresponding SRRC Type Approval should be obtained; on this basis, the complete device that directly accesses China’s public telecommunication network can then apply for a network access license.
Second, the device must comply with China’s cybersecurity and data security regulations, and must not have problems such as illegal data collection or information theft;
Third, only the manufacturer of the device, or an agency officially authorized by the manufacturer, can apply. Individuals and ordinary sellers are not eligible to apply.
Core Review Points for Charging Products
When MIIT reviews the network access license of charging devices, it focuses on three aspects:
First, **network compatibility**: whether the device can normally access the corresponding standard networks of the three major operators, and whether there will be problems such as inability to connect to the network or frequent disconnections;
Second, **information security**: whether it will illegally collect sensitive content such as charging data, user payment information, and location information, and whether data transmission is encrypted;
Third, **network interference**: after the device is connected to the network, whether it will interfere with the public communication network or affect the normal networking of other surrounding devices.
The Most Common Pitfall: License Boundary Between Modules and Complete Devices
Many merchants fall into the pitfall of “if the module has a license, the complete device does not need one”. Let us clarify again here:
A cellular module having a separate network access license **does not mean that the complete charging device integrated with this module is automatically compliant**. Because the shell material of the complete charging device (for example, a metal shell will shield signals), antenna position, and built-in software will all affect network performance, which is completely different from the environment when the module is tested separately, so a separate network access license for the complete device must be applied for.
In addition, if the product is rebranded, has its model changed, or has its cellular module replaced, the network access license of the original model cannot be used, and a new application must be made.
Practical Impacts of Not Having a License
If you sell or deploy devices in violation of regulations without a network access license, the consequences are clear:
For merchants and brand owners, they will face penalties from regulatory authorities, and the products will be forcibly removed from shelves; if it is a shared charging device, it may also be directly disconnected from the network by the operator, making it impossible to operate normally at all.
For ordinary users, buying an unlicensed cellular-enabled charging device may cause unstable network connection, or even the problem of being unable to access the operator’s network at all; more seriously, such devices have not undergone information security review, and may have the risk of leaking payment information and personal location data, and it is difficult to protect rights when problems arise.
How to Use It for Overseas Users? Scenario-Based Judgment Guide
The network access license is an exclusive access requirement of China. Overseas users do not need to regard it as a globally applicable certification, and the judgment logic for different scenarios is completely different.
First Clarify the Applicable Boundary
The network access license only applies to charging products **sold within China and accessing China’s public telecommunication network**. If you buy domestic charging products for use in your own country, you do not need to refer to this license at all, as long as they meet local access requirements (such as FCC in the United States, CE in the European Union).
Judgment Logic for Different Scenarios
We have sorted out several scenarios most commonly encountered by overseas users:
• **Personal use when coming to China**: A small number of cellular-enabled charging devices carried with you (such as 1-2 power banks with cellular positioning) fall into the category of personal use, and do not need to apply for a separate network access license;
• **Overseas shopping for personal use after returning to China**: If you buy a small number of cellular-enabled charging devices from overseas for your own use after returning to China, you do not need to make up the license; but if you bring them back in bulk for sale, it is a commercial act and you must make up the network access license;
• **Export to China for sale/deployment**: If you enter the Chinese market in bulk for sale, or deploy shared charging devices, all products with cellular functions must obtain a network access license in advance, otherwise they cannot be legally imported and sold.
Pitfall Avoidance Reminders for Overseas Users
Three practical reminders for overseas users:
First, do not buy counterfeit cellular-enabled charging devices without a network access license for use in China. In mild cases, there will be network failures; in severe cases, there will be risks of data leakage and payment security issues;
Second, do not regard China’s network access license as a globally applicable certification. When using charging devices overseas, you should first check local compliance certifications;
Third, do not easily believe the merchant’s claim that “a licensed module means the complete device is compliant”. You need to check the network access license of the sold complete device itself.
Finally, here is a quick checklist for charging products. Check against it and you won’t go wrong:
• Ordinary chargers/power adapters: Check the 3C mark according to the CCC catalog, no network access license required; ordinary charging cables: no network access license required, check according to corresponding product standards and sales compliance requirements;
• Smart charging devices with WiFi and Bluetooth: those in the CCC catalog need to check 3C, and also need to check SRRC, no network access license required;
• Smart charging devices with cellular function and SIM card slot: must meet corresponding 3C requirements, SRRC Type Approval, and network access license at the same time.
Final Summary: High-Frequency Misconceptions and Core Competencies
Finally, we sort out the high-frequency misconceptions and core competencies of network access licenses for charging products for your quick reference.
High-Frequency Misconceptions for Charging Products
1. **”A charger without a network access license is a fake”**: Wrong. Ordinary chargers are not in the network access license catalog, and it is normal for them not to have this license, as long as they meet the corresponding compliance requirements as required.
2. **”Affixing a network access mark means it must be compliant”**: Wrong. Stickers may be forged or fraudulently used. It is necessary to verify the license number, model, and applicant enterprise information through official channels, and the license status must be “valid” to be compliant.
3. **”Flashing the domestic system on an overseas version can obtain a network access license”**: Wrong. The network access license is bound to the hardware model and has nothing to do with the system. Flashing the system cannot change the compliance status of the hardware.
Core Competency List
1. Quickly judge whether any charging product requires a network access license;
2. Query the authenticity of network access licenses through official channels and identify common mark violations;
3. Distinguish the differences between network access licenses and other certifications, and make compliant purchase decisions combined with usage scenarios.