Openwrt One import restrictions

[elias at eliashaisch.de]

Hi all,

I’ve been mostly quiet on this mailing list, but I’ve followed it for many years. This is my private mailbox.

I am director of an art association with a guesthouse. We have been successfully using OpenWrt (on TP-Link and D-Link devices) for our guest network since 2010.
This new device looked extremely promising—previously, we used Zyxel and Cisco, which proved expensive and cumbersome to maintain.

Recently, we ordered 15 OpenWrt-based devices via AliExpress (around €1,500 plus taxes). Unfortunately, German customs denied the import of these devices. According to the German market surveillance authority (Marktüberwachungsbehörde), the main issues are a lack of proper documentation, missing CE markings on the devices themselves, and insufficient labeling (no clear version, no manufacturer/importer information, etc.). I provided all the certificates which where kindly provided in the forum.

I’ve attached an image of the official response in german for reference.

Over the last two months, I engaged with various market security and customs offices.

*Key Findings:*

1. No user manual (with producer/importer details and CE compliance declaration).
2. No CE compliance marking or declaration on the device itself.
3. Missing device identification (model/version, name, manufacturer/importer).
4. The only way to legally import these is by “refining” the product (i.e., adding all missing markings, documentation, etc.)—but that process makes the party doing the refinements fully liable.
5. Powering up or using the device could be considered illegal in Germany (especially for a company or association)
6. In case of malfunction, fire, or radio interference, insurance would likely refuse coverage, given the device’s non-compliant status.
7. The existing certificates do not change these issues, since the device is not identifiable, assignable to the certificate (missing markings)
8. The provided power plug has the needed prints on it, still would need a manual or has to be part of the product manual.

All these points make the device effectively unusable for anyone in Germany or the EU under current conditions. It’s incredibly frustrating. We spent many hours—even traveling to different offices—to clarify this, which can hopefully become our helpful contribution to the OpenWrt community.

Fortunately, I was able to secure a refund, but only because the customs office provided me with the necessary documentation and photos to prove the non-compliance and return to the seller and AliExpress.

Despite the challenges, we still want to use these devices, and I’m convinced it’s worth investing the time to find a proper solution. I hope this information helps anyone facing similar issues and that we can collectively find a way to resolve the compliance requirements for these potentially great OpenWrt-based products.
I can provide a phone number of the case officer at the Marktüberwachungsbehörde and case numbers if needed. Myself or we as an association are there to help if we can.

All the best,

Elias M. Haisch


-- 
Geschäftsführer
Kurator
Vorstand
kunstortlehnin.de
Lehniner Institut für Kunst und Kultur e.V.
und Gästehaus am Klostersee GmbH
Zum Strandbad 39
14797 Kloster Lehnin

Verein:
USt-IdNr.: DE175365629
Registergericht Potsdam VR 2923 P

Gästehaus:
USt-IdNr.:DE240344783
Registergericht Potsdam HRB 18327 P
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