How to Register a Trademark in China: Complete 2026 Guide

How to Register a Trademark in China: Complete 2026 Guide

China operates the world's largest trademark system — the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) processes over 9 million trademark applications annually. As a first-to-file jurisdiction, whoever files first owns the mark, regardless of prior use. This makes early registration essential for any brand doing business in or exporting to China.

This guide covers the complete CNIPA registration process, from pre-filing search through certificate issuance, with current 2026 fees, timelines, and strategic considerations.

Pro tip: Before filing in China, run a free trademark check to evaluate your mark's registrability across key jurisdictions.

Why China Trademark Registration Is Critical

China's first-to-file system means that trademark rights belong to the first person to file an application — not the first to use the mark commercially. This creates unique risks:

• Trademark squatting — third parties may register your brand name before you do
• Border enforcement — Chinese customs can seize goods bearing unregistered marks
• Platform access — major e-commerce platforms like Tmall and Alibaba require trademark registration
• Manufacturing protection — even if you only manufacture in China for export, registration protects against counterfeiting

Understanding China's first-to-file system is essential before developing your filing strategy.

Overview of the CNIPA Registration Process

The Chinese trademark registration process follows a structured path governed by the Trademark Law of the People's Republic of China (2019 amendment):

Step 1: Pre-Filing Trademark Search

Before filing, conduct a comprehensive search of the CNIPA trademark database to identify potential conflicts. China's sub-class system means you need to search at both the class and sub-class level.

Key search considerations:

• Chinese character equivalents — search transliterations, translations, and phonetic equivalents of your mark
• Similar marks — CNIPA applies strict similarity standards
• Sub-class conflicts — even within the same Nice class, marks may coexist in different sub-classes

Step 2: Determine Your Filing Strategy

You have two primary routes for filing in China:

For foreign applicants, filing from outside China requires a licensed Chinese trademark agent under Article 18 of the Trademark Law.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application

A complete CNIPA application includes:

• Applicant information — full legal name, address, and entity type
• Mark representation — clear image of the trademark (word mark, design, or combination)
• Chinese character version — strongly recommended even for English-language marks
• Goods/services specification — selected from CNIPA's sub-class system within the Nice Classification
• Power of attorney — authorizing your Chinese trademark agent
• Priority claim documents — if claiming convention priority within 6 months of an earlier filing

Step 4: File the Application

Applications are filed through the CNIPA online portal or through a registered Chinese trademark agent. The official filing fee is CNY 270 per class (approximately $45 USD) for up to 10 items of goods/services, with CNY 27 for each additional item.

Step 5: Formal Examination

CNIPA conducts a formal examination within approximately 1 month of filing to verify:

• Application completeness
• Proper classification
• Fee payment
• Agent authorization

Step 6: Substantive Examination

The substantive examination takes approximately 9 months and evaluates:

• Absolute grounds — distinctiveness, descriptiveness, deceptiveness, public interest
• Relative grounds — conflicts with prior registrations and pending applications

If objections are raised, you'll need to understand how to respond to CNIPA refusals.

Step 7: Preliminary Approval and Publication

If the mark passes examination, it's published in the Trademark Gazette for a 3-month opposition period. During this time, third parties can file opposition proceedings.

Step 8: Registration Certificate

If no opposition is filed (or opposition is unsuccessful), CNIPA issues a Registration Certificate. The entire process from filing to registration typically takes 9-12 months if no objections arise.

China's Sub-Class System Explained

Unlike most jurisdictions that use the Nice Classification system at the class level, China divides each of the 45 Nice classes into sub-classes. This creates both opportunities and challenges:

• Narrower protection — registration in one sub-class doesn't automatically protect against marks in other sub-classes within the same class
• Strategic filing — you may need to file in multiple sub-classes to achieve comprehensive protection
• Coexistence — similar marks can coexist in different sub-classes of the same class

Example: Class 25 (Clothing)

Filing only in sub-class 2501 would not protect your mark for footwear (2507) or headwear (2508).

Chinese Character Mark Strategy

For foreign brands, developing a Chinese character version of your trademark is strategically critical:

1. Consumer recognition — Chinese consumers often refer to foreign brands by their Chinese names
2. Defensive protection — if you don't register a Chinese version, squatters will
3. Three approaches to Chinese naming:

- Transliteration (音译) — phonetic approximation (e.g., 麦当劳 "Mài dāng láo" for McDonald's)

- Translation (意译) — meaning-based translation (e.g., 苹果 "Píngguǒ" / Apple for Apple Inc.)

- Hybrid — combining sound and meaning (e.g., 可口可乐 "Kě kǒu kě lè" / "delicious happiness" for Coca-Cola)

File your Chinese character mark simultaneously with your English mark to prevent squatting.

Costs and Fees

Learn more about ongoing costs in our China trademark renewal guide.

Timeline Summary

The GTC Advantage for China Trademarks

Global Trademark Company provides end-to-end China trademark registration services including:

• Comprehensive CNIPA and common-law searches
• Chinese character mark development and strategy
• Sub-class analysis and strategic filing recommendations
• Direct CNIPA filing through licensed Chinese agents
• Refusal response and TRAB review representation
• Ongoing trademark monitoring and enforcement support

Next Steps

Protecting your brand in China starts with understanding the first-to-file system and acting early. Start with a free trademark check to evaluate your mark's availability, then explore our China trademark services for comprehensive registration support.

*This guide reflects CNIPA procedures and fees current as of 2026. Trademark law and practice are subject to change; consult a qualified trademark professional for advice specific to your situation.*