In China, the cost of trademark registration consists of two parts: official fees and agent fees.
Official fees
The following is the latest fee schedule issued by the CNIPA:(click here to download)：
(Currency: CNY, click here to check the rate)
| Items | Paper filing (each class) | Electronic filing (each class) | |
| 1 | Application fees (including filing, examination, registration) | 300 (additional fees: CNY 27 for each goods in excess of 10 goods) | 270 (additional fees: CNY 27 for each goods in excess of 10 goods) |
| 2 | Re-issuing certificate fees | 500 | 450 |
| 3 | Registration of assignment fees | 500 | 450 |
| 4 | Renewal fees (each ten years) | 500 | 450 |
| 5 | Late fees for renewal (within 6 months from the deadline of ten years) | 250 | 225 |
| 6 | Appeal fees (including appeal of rejection/ opposition, invalidation) | 750 | 675 |
| 7 | Registration fees for name/ address change | 150 | 0 |
| 8 | Opposition fees (within publication period of 3 months) | 500 | 450 |
| 9 | Cancellation fees (only for 3-year non-use) | 500 | 450 |
| 10 | Registration fees for licence | 150 | 135 |
The table above is quoted from CNIPA’s official website.
Attorney fees
If you apply for trademark registration through a Chinese trademark agent, you should also pay attorney fees. The average price is between RMB 1,000 and RMB 3,000, depending on the agency's experience and service content.
Methods of Payment
If an applicant has retained an agent already, the official fees must be paid through the agent.
Deadline
For application: Applicants should pay application fees of 300 per class through your agent within 7 days from notice of fees.
For renewal: The trademark is valid for 10 years, and the renewal fees of 500 CNY per class must be paid within 12 months before expiration; if overdue, additional fees of 250 yuan per class must be paid within the grace period of 6 months.
Refund
If the agency pays fees according to the payment notice, fees paid are generally NOT refunded by the CNIPA.
How to save trademark registration fees and renewal fees?
- Plan your classes: Before filing, make sure the products or services you need, to avoid wasting money on unnecessary classes, and missing potential classes squatted by others.
- Conduct trademark search: Hire an experienced agency to conduct trademark searches in advance, to avoid rejections due to prior marks.
- Don't miss the deadline for renewal: complete the renewal within 12 months before expiration for the term of 10 years, to avoid additional grace period fees.
Comparison of trademark registration fees with other countries
Compared with the UE or EU, the basic filing fees in China are much cheaper. The following is a simple comparison:
- US: The fee under each class starts from US$350.
- EU: The fee under each class starts from EUR 850.
- China: The fee is only CNY 300, which is extremely cost-effective for the market with population of 1.409 billion
Further Information
Know more about patent fees at:Patent Fees Schedule in China 2024
See more about the cost of the Madrid trademark international application at CNIPA official website.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with us at contact@gbaiplawyer.com if you have any questions regarding trademark fees.
