How Do Foreign Brands Register a Trademark in China in 2027? A Step-by-Step Guide

This guide explains how to register a trademark in China in 2027, step by step: who can file, which documents are needed, what it costs, how long it takes, and whether to file nationally or through the Madrid System.

China largely awards trademark rights to whoever files first, so registering early is one of the most important steps in market entry, and the official fee is low. The government fee is RMB 270 (about US$41) per class for up to ten items filed online, before agent fees, which foreign applicants will normally need to pay.  However, the cost of not filing can be far higher, because a brand without a Chinese registration is exposed to squatting, counterfeits, and others trading on its goodwill.

Does a trademark registered abroad protect a foreign brand in China?

No. Trademark rights are territorial, so a registration in the US, the EU, or the UK does not automatically confer protection in China. To secure trademark protection in the Chinese Mainland, a foreign business must register its trademark with the

CNIPA, either directly or by designating China through the Madrid System.

China also follows a first-to-file principle, under which trademark rights generally go to the party that files first, rather than the party that uses the mark first. With limited exceptions, such as bad-faith registration by an agent or representative, a foreign business without a Chinese trademark registration generally cannot rely solely on its earlier use of the mark to prevent a subsequent applicant from obtaining registration.

When should a foreign company file a trademark in China?

Ideally, before the brand is publicly linked to China: before signing with a Chinese distributor or manufacturer, launching on e-commerce platforms, or announcing market entry. Filing should not wait for a local entity.

Who can file a trademark application in China?

Any company or individual can apply, but foreign applicants file differently. A foreign company with no business domicile in China must appoint a legally established Chinese trademark agency. CNIPA’s guidance for foreign applicants links to its list of approved agencies.

The same guidance clarifies two points that often confuse foreign investors:

• A representative office in China does not count as the foreign company’s business domicile, so the parent still needs an agency.
• A wholly foreign-owned subsidiary established in China is treated as a Chinese enterprise, not as the parent’s business domicile.

Should the parent company or its China subsidiary own the trademark?

In many cases, foreign groups prefer the overseas parent company to own the Chinese trademark and license it to the China subsidiary. This helps centralise intellectual property ownership at group level and facilitates future restructuring or changes to local operations. However, the appropriate ownership structure depends on the group’s commercial and legal arrangements.

For example, the China subsidiary may be the more appropriate owner if it is intended to retain the brand rights independently or if the group has particular licensing, financing or restructuring considerations.

Which documents does a foreign company need?

A foreign company filing through an agency needs a power of attorney and a copy of its certificate of incorporation or another identity document. Under the Implementing Regulations of the Trademark Law, the application must be in Chinese, and the applicant’s name must also appear in Chinese characters. Whether notarisation is needed follows the principle of reciprocity, so confirm this with the agency.

What happens during examination and opposition?

CNIPA examines the mark on absolute grounds (such as lack of distinctiveness) and relative grounds (conflicts with earlier marks). If CNIPA refuses the application, the applicant can request a review within 15 days of receiving the refusal notice.

An approved mark is published for opposition. If no opposition succeeds, CNIPA registers it, and the registration can be renewed for further 10-year terms.

How much does it cost to register a trademark in China?

Official fees are low. Each class is charged separately: RMB 270 (US$41) per class online, against RMB 300 (US$45) on paper. The table below lists the main official fees for online filing.

For example, one mark in one class with 15 items costs RMB 405 (US$61) in official fees. Agency fees, searches, and translations come on top.

How long does trademark registration in China take?

An uncontested application may be completed considerably faster than a contested one. CNIPA reported an average examination period of approximately four months in 2026, while the statutory examination deadline is nine months. Allow additional time for the two-month opposition period and registration formalities. Refusals and oppositions can extend the process substantially.

Agencies commonly report about 12 to 18 months from filing to registration for an uncontested application.

Should a foreign brand file nationally with CNIPA or through the Madrid System?

Foreign brands can file a national CNIPA application through a Chinese agency, or designate China in an international registration under the Madrid System, run by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The table below compares the two routes.

For foreign brands entering China, national CNIPA filing can offer greater control over goods and services specifications, particularly where China’s subclass classification system differs from the applicant’s home jurisdiction. The Madrid System may be more convenient for businesses seeking protection across multiple markets through a centralised filing process. However, applicants should assess the scope of the basic registration, the risk of provisional refusal and the practical requirements for local enforcement before choosing a route.

National CNIPA filing vs Madrid designation

What should foreign brands do after filing a trademark in China?

Filing is only the start. Choosing the right subclasses, registering a Chinese-language name, and keeping the mark in use all matter, especially as China’s revised Trademark Law takes effect on 1 January 2027.

How Dezan Shira & Associates can help

At Dezan Shira & Associates, we help foreign businesses navigate China’s trademark registration process and protect their intellectual property rights. Our experts can assist with trademark searches, filing strategies, registration and renewal, ownership and licensing arrangements, and responses to refusals or oppositions. We also advise on trademark enforcement, including infringement investigations, cancellation and invalidation proceedings, and customs recordation. Contact us to discuss your trademark registration and brand protection needs in China.

Note on currency conversion: US dollar amounts in this article are converted at US$1 = RMB 6.667, the USD/CNY exchange rate on 12 November 2026, the date of writing. Amounts are rounded to the nearest US dollar and are for reference only. CNIPA charges its fees in RMB.