Chapter V of "Decree-Law No. 15/2012 of 28 March 2012 on the Regulation of the Telecommunications Sector" mandates that any natural or legal person intending to provide telecommunications services must first register with the National Communications Authority. In accordance with Annex A of the "ANC Guidelines on Registration", telecommunications services includes cross-border services that either originate in or terminate within the territory of Timor-Leste. This scope explicitly encompasses value-added network application services, which, pursuant to Schedule 58, include electronic transaction services such as e-commerce. In addition, a registrant is required to deliver such services via a service node located within Timor-Leste or through a local access node that is interconnected with the public telecommunications network.

It is reported that the Central Bank has imposed regulatory limits on the Mosan and T-Pay systems, both of which are providers of e-wallet services. Specifically, for the Mosan system, there is an upper limit of USD 500 for the maximum account balance, alongside a daily deposit cap of USD 300. In the case of the T-Pay system, the maximum permissible transaction value is USD 300 per day, with a maximum account balance limited to USD 300.

It is reported that goods imported into Timor-Leste are exempt from import duties if the amount of duty that would otherwise be payable does not exceed USD 10. Given that the country applies a flat rate of 5% tariffs to all products, it can be inferred that the de minimis threshold—defined as the minimum value of goods below which customs duties are not levied—is set at USD 200. This is the threshold recommended by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Timor-Leste lacks a comprehensive legal framework specifically addressing consumer protection in the context of online transactions. Although Consumer Protection Law No. 8/2016 establishes general provisions for safeguarding consumer rights, it does not explicitly encompass digital or online commercial activities. On the other hand, Decree-Law No. 12/2024 of 13 February – General Legal Regime for Electronic Commerce and Electronic Signatures (Decreto-Lei Nº 12/2024, de 13 de fevereiro – Regime Jurídico Geral do Comércio Eletrónico e de Assinaturas Eletrónicas) introduces certain consumer protection measures applicable to electronic transactions. However, these provisions remain limited in scope and do not constitute a fully developed regime for online consumer protection.

Timor-Leste has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.

Timor-Leste has enacted national legislation, namely the Decree-Law No. 12/2024, which is founded upon and influenced by the standards set forth in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.

Timor-Leste has enacted national legislation, namely the Decree-Law No. 12/2024, which is founded upon and influenced by the standards set forth in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.

It is reported that traders must obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and then secure an import authorisation from the Business Registration and Verification Service (SERVE). For imports deemed to be of lower risk, SERVE issues authorisation automatically. Conversely, imports classified as medium or high risk necessitate non-automatic import licences, which are issued by the relevant sectoral ministries or agencies. The processing time for such licences may extend up to one month.

It is reported that exporting goods from Timor-Leste requires the use of a licensed customs broker. Authorised by the Timor-Leste Customs Authority, these private sector professionals act on behalf of exporters to submit customs declarations and provide the necessary documentation, such as export licences and certificates of origin. Customs brokers facilitate shipment clearance in compliance with regulatory requirements.

It is reported that Timor-Leste lacks a formal mechanism for conducting transparent public consultations on all draft legislative proposals concerning technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment procedures. It is noted that no such technical regulations, standards, or conformity assessment procedures—such as testing, inspection, or certification—are currently in place for either domestically produced or imported goods.

It is reported that Timor-Leste lacks a formal regulatory framework for type approval.

In accordance with the schedules outlined in Annex I of the "ANC Guidelines on Registration", registrants of telecommunications services—including those providing international simple resale services, resale of leased circuit services, public internet access services, virtual private network services, managed data network services, mobile virtual network operations, IP telephony services, satellite mobile telephone or data services, and mobile communications on aircraft—are required to register their subscribers and maintain a comprehensive register containing detailed records of their personal particulars.

Chapter V of "Decree-Law No. 15/2012 of 28 March 2012 on the Regulation of the Telecommunications Sector" stipulates that any individual or entity intending to provide telecommunications services must register with the National Communications Authority. In accordance with annex A of the "ANC Guidelines on Registration", the scope of different types of services encompasses cross-border services either originating from or terminating within Timor-Leste. These include, but are not limited to, the following categories: virtual private network (VPN) services, internet-based voice and data services (VoIP), value-added network application services, and machine-to-machine (M2M) services.

It is reported that, in most cases, importing goods into Timor-Leste requires the involvement of a licensed customs broker. These professionals are authorised by the Timor-Leste Customs Authority to act on behalf of importers or exporters, facilitating the clearance of goods. They submit the necessary customs declarations through the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), the electronic platform used by the Timor-Leste Customs Service.

Chapter II of "Decree-Law No. 15/2012 on the Regulation of the Telecommunications Sector" establishes the National Communications Authority as the executive body responsible for the oversight and administration of telecommunications services. The Authority is reported to operate independently from the government in its decision-making processes.