How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Trademark in China?
The total cost to register a 商标 (trademark, shāngbiāo) in China typically ranges from CNY 2,700 (USD 380) to CNY 12,000 (USD 1,680) per class for foreign applicants, depending on filing strategy and agent involvement. The official government fee, set by the 国家知识产权局 (China National Intellectual Property Administration, guójiā zhīshì chǎnquán jú), is just CNY 270 (USD 38) per class when filed electronically, but nearly all overseas filers work through registered agents who charge additional service fees. Between the official fee, professional search, and agent handling, a straightforward single-class application usually lands at CNY 4,000–6,000 (USD 560–840). Understanding each cost layer helps you budget accurately and avoid paying for services you do not need.
1. Official Filing Fees — The Government Base Cost
The CNIPA charges a fixed, non-negotiable fee for each trademark application. As of 2025, the electronic filing fee is CNY 270 (USD 38) per class, covering up to 10 goods or services within that class. If you list more than 10 items, an additional CNY 27 (USD 3.80) per extra item applies. This fee is significantly lower than in many Western jurisdictions — compared to the USPTO’s USD 250–350 per class or the EUIPO’s EUR 850, China offers one of the most affordable official filing costs globally.
However, the official fee only covers initial examination and publication. If your application encounters an office action, opposition, or refusal, separate fees apply: CNY 150 (USD 21) per request for a review of refusal, and CNY 500 (USD 70) per class for an opposition. These costs are relatively rare for well-prepared applications but important to include in your risk budget.
2. Agent Service Fees — The Real Cost Driver
Foreign applicants cannot file directly with CNIPA unless they have a registered Chinese address. Almost all international filers must engage a licensed 商标代理机构 (trademark agency, shāngbiāo dàilǐ jīgòu). Agent fees in China vary widely based on reputation, experience, and service scope:
- Basic filing agents: CNY 1,500–2,500 per class (USD 210–350) — includes filing, basic search, and correspondence.
- Full-service agents: CNY 3,000–6,000 per class (USD 420–840) — includes comprehensive search, office action responses, monitoring, and renewal reminders.
- Premium international firms: CNY 8,000–12,000 per class (USD 1,120–1,680) — includes multi-jurisdiction coordination, litigation support, and in-house IP counsel.
Choosing the cheapest agent can backfire if they miss critical conflicts or fail to respond to office actions. A mid-range full-service agent often provides the best balance for first-time filers.
3. Multi-Class vs. Single-Class Filing Costs
China uses the Nice Classification system with 45 classes (34 for goods, 11 for services). A single trademark can be filed across multiple classes, but costs multiply per class. For example:
- 1 class: CNY 270 official + CNY 2,500 agent = CNY 2,770 total
- 3 classes: (CNY 270 × 3) + (CNY 2,500 × 3) = CNY 8,310 total
- 5 classes: (CNY 270 × 5) + (CNY 2,500 × 5) = CNY 13,850 total
Many businesses over-file by registering in classes they never use, wasting money that could go toward enforcement. A smarter approach is to file in the classes where you actually operate or plan to expand within two years, then add defensive classes later if needed.
4. Hidden Costs and Long-Term Maintenance
Beyond the initial registration, trademark ownership in China incurs ongoing costs that add up over a 10-year protection cycle. Key long-term expenses include:
- Trademark renewal: CNY 1,000 (USD 140) per class every 10 years — simple if you keep records, costly if you miss the window.
- Monitoring services: CNY 500–1,500 per year (USD 70–210) — third-party watching for conflicting applications.
- Enforcement actions: CNY 5,000–50,000+ (USD 700–7,000+) per case — legal fees for opposition, cancellation, or infringement actions.
- License recording: CNY 0–500 per license (USD 0–70) — required if you license your mark to a local partner (e.g., for a 外商独资企业, WFOE, wàishāng dúzī qǐyè).
These hidden costs can easily double your total trademark budget over a 5-year horizon. Factoring them into your initial planning prevents last-minute scrambling when a competitor files a similar mark.
Cost Comparison Table — Filing Scenarios
| Scenario | Official Fees (CNY) | Agent Fees (CNY) | Total (CNY) | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single class, basic agent | 270 | 1,500 | 1,770 | 248 |
| Single class, full-service agent | 270 | 4,000 | 4,270 | 597 |
| 3 classes, full-service agent | 810 | 12,000 | 12,810 | 1,793 |
| 5 classes, premium agent | 1,350 | 40,000 | 41,350 | 5,787 |
| 1 class + renewal (10 years) | 1,270 | 6,000 | 7,270 | 1,018 |
This table shows that the biggest cost variable is the number of classes and the agent tier. A single-class filing with a full-service agent remains under CNY 5,000, while a broad 5-class strategy with premium support approaches CNY 42,000. Most foreign SMEs fall in the 1–3 class range with a mid-tier agent, keeping total costs between CNY 4,000 and CNY 12,000.
3 Common Cost-Related Pitfalls
NEXT STEPS
- Read our full guide: China Trademark Registration Process: Step-by-Step for Foreign Applicants — Learn the entire timeline from search to certificate, including how to respond to office actions.
- Use our cost calculator: Trademark Cost Calculator for China — Input your class count, agent tier, and additional services to get a personalized budget estimate in CNY and USD.
- Compare vetted agents: How to Choose a China Trademark Agent: Checklist and Red Flags — A practical framework for selecting an agent that fits your budget and industry needs.
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