🇨🇳 East Asia

China IP Filing Guide

China is the world's largest IP filing jurisdiction by volume. The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) administers patents, trademarks, and designs. All documents must be submitted in Chinese, making qualified local representation essential.

Paris Convention PCT Member Madrid Protocol Hague System

Filing Requirements

  • All documents must be in Chinese (translation required)
  • Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) and inventor(s)
  • Complete Specification in Chinese (description, claims, abstract, drawings)
  • Original executed POA
  • Assignment deed (if China applicant differs from priority applicant)
  • PCT National Phase: entry within 30 months (2-month grace period available)

Prosecution Steps

  1. Filing of patent application
  2. Preliminary examination
  3. Publication after 18 months (invention); shortly after filing (utility model)
  4. Request for substantive examination within 36 months (no extension)
  5. Examination report reply: 4 months + 2 months extension
  6. Grant fee payment within 2 months of grant notice
  7. Annual renewal fees payable after grant

Utility Models

  • Available for novel technical solutions concerning shape/structure
  • Subject to preliminary examination only (not substantive)
  • Faster and more economical than invention patents
20
Invention patent
Utility model: 10 years

Patent Term Extension (PTE) available for pharmaceutical patents and for unreasonable prosecution delays (post June 1, 2021). PPH program with Austria, Canada, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and others.

Filing Requirements

  • All documents must be in Chinese
  • Full name, address, status and nationality of applicant(s)
  • International class and goods/services description
  • Copy of company registration certificate (stamped/signed)
  • Duly executed Power of Attorney
  • Priority details (if applicable) — original certified copy required
  • Multi-class filing permitted

Registration Process

  1. Filing of application
  2. Formality examination (1–2 months)
  3. Examination report within 90 days of filing
  4. Reply to examination report within 30 days
  5. Acceptance and publication in Trade Marks Journal
  6. Opposition: 3 months from publication (non-extendable)
  7. Certificate of Registration issued
10
Year registration
Renewable every 10 years

China follows its own "China Classification" updated annually to align with Nice Classification, with additional categories unique to China.

Filing Requirements

  • Name, address and nationality of applicant(s)
  • At least 6 different views including a perspective view
  • Short description of product title, use and key features
  • Power of Attorney
  • Priority claim must be filed within 6 months of first filing
15
Year design term
From filing date

Key Facts

Patent Office CNIPA — China National Intellectual Property Administration
PCT Member Yes — national phase within 30 months
Madrid Protocol Yes
Hague System Yes (designs)
Patent Term 20 years (invention); 10 years (utility model)
TM Term 10 years (renewable every 10 years)
Design Term 15 years from filing date
Consult Our Specialists →

All filings handled in-house by qualified patent and trademark agents

File in China with Confidence

Our specialists have extensive experience with China IP filings. Contact us for a no-obligation assessment.

Get Started → or All Jurisdictions