Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in most cases. China operates on a first-to-file system: the registration generally goes to whoever files first, and prior use of the mark in another country does not by itself create rights in China. A later applicant who files first can therefore hold the registration. Filing earlier gives a stronger position, but a registration is not automatically immune from opposition, invalidation or a non-use cancellation.

A supplier, a distributor or an unrelated third party may file a mark before you do. China operates on a first-to-file basis, so whoever files first can end up holding the rights to your own brand inside China — and getting it back afterwards is slower and more expensive than filing early. That is why foreign brand owners who manufacture, sell or plan to enter the Chinese market generally file early. If a third party has already filed, opposition or cancellation may be available depending on the circumstances.

It becomes much more expensive and difficult to get back. You might have to negotiate purchase, file cancellation actions, or rebrand entirely in China. Addressing a conflict after a third party has filed is usually slower and more costly than registering early.

Once we receive your documents and payment, we typically file within one business day. We prioritize speed because every day counts in a first-to-file system.

Two timelines apply — the legal deadline and what usually happens in practice. By law CNIPA must finish substantive examination within nine months of receiving the application, and the opposition window after publication is three months (two months from 1 January 2027). In practice it is faster: the acceptance notice normally arrives within about fifteen days of filing, substantive examination then takes about three to four months, and once published the opposition window is three months (two months from 2027) before the certificate issues — so a straightforward case usually takes about seven to nine months in practice, against the statutory ceiling of up to twelve to fifteen months. If the application is refused and you do not file a refusal re-examination (验发复审), the matter ends there; a re-examination is a separate service normally taking six to twelve months. We confirm the timeline that applies to your application in writing and send you status updates at each stage.

No! Foreign individuals and companies can register directly through a CNIPA-registered agency like us. No Chinese business entity required.

US$199 is an all-inclusive service price for one class of up to 10 items. It covers the CNIPA official filing fee, our professional service fee, document preparation and translation, the availability search, and application tracking through to registration. The official fee is one component of that total — you do not pay it separately, and no further charges arise unless you ask us to do something outside the agreed scope.

The government fee is only one part of what a filing costs. The rest covers the work that determines whether the application succeeds: checking the mark against earlier registrations, selecting and wording the goods and services correctly, preparing bilingual documents, filing through a CNIPA-registered agency, and responding to the office if it raises an issue. An application that is filed cheaply but poorly worded can cost far more to correct later.

We accept Wise, Alipay / WeChat Pay (CNY), mainland China bank transfer and Hong Kong bank transfer. Open your order in the client portal for the available payment options, bank details, payment links and QR codes. Alipay and WeChat Pay payments are collected in CNY; check the exchange rate and final amount shown on your order before paying. You may try your own wallet account; availability depends on the payment provider. If needed, share the order's payment-only link with someone paying on your behalf without giving access to your account or documents. If an option is unavailable, contact us for assistance. PayPal and standalone credit/debit card checkout are currently unavailable.

We do a comprehensive search first to minimize this risk. If rejection occurs, we'll explain your options. Filing a review of refusal would be an additional cost but we'll always quote you upfront.

Yes! We are a registered agency. You can verify our status directly on the official CNIPA website - we even provided a link on our homepage for you to check.

Absolutely. All our communications with international clients are in English. We understand that language barriers can make legal processes stressful, so we make this as smooth as possible.

Your logo/image, applicant details, and list of goods/services — plus one document proving who the applicant is: a business registration document if you file as a company, or your Chinese resident identity card if you are a Chinese individual, or your international passport if you are a foreign individual. Other countries’ national identity cards, driving licences and residence permits do not replace a foreign applicant’s passport. Standard filings ordinarily do not require notarisation; we will explain any exceptional requirements. The included translation service covers the full identity document, not just the name and address. In the portal, enter the applicant’s name and address in English so we can prepare the bilingual power of attorney; our team checks these details and reviews the Chinese translation before issue. We'll guide you through the entire process and tell you exactly what we need at each step. All in English.

10 years, renewable forever. We'll send you renewal reminders when the time comes, so you never have to worry about losing protection because of a missed deadline.

Yes! Once you have your Chinese trademark, you have real legal standing in China. We can help with enforcement, takedowns, and legal action against infringers.

After registration, you should use it to prevent cancellation for non-use. But you have 3 years before this becomes an issue. We can advise you on acceptable use strategies.