# CNIPA's answers on classes and items CNIPA's published replies on multi-class applications, adding a class or item later, separating or merging classes, and how items in a similarity group relate. Canonical URL: https://ginbing.com/docs/china-trademark/cnipa-answers-classes Markdown URL: https://ginbing.com/docs/china-trademark/cnipa-answers-classes/index.md ## TLDR CNIPA's published replies on multi-class applications, adding a class or item after filing, separating or merging classes, and how items in a similarity group relate. ## Guide Replies CNIPA published to questions about classes, items and multi-class applications, translated by Ginbing. Each reply links to its Chinese original on CNIPA's website. ## About these replies - **Official source.** [Trademark registration questions](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpublist.do?sysid=13), the public column where CNIPA answers trademark questions. Each reply links to its official page. - **Issued by.** CNIPA - **CNIPA's dates.** Each reply shows the date CNIPA answered. - **Checked against the official page.** November 6, 2026 > These are replies to individual questions. They are not rulings, and CNIPA decides each case on its own facts. The translations are Ginbing's own, not official, and Ginbing is not part of CNIPA. Only the Chinese text is official. The questions are Ginbing's short summaries; the asker's own words are on the official page. Greetings and contact details are left out, and long replies are shortened to the parts that answer the question. > **Warning:** Each reply states the position on its date. Most cite the 2019 Trademark Law, and the [revised law](/docs/china-trademark/laws/trademark-law/2026) takes effect on January 1, 2027, with [some changed rules and article numbers](/docs/china-trademark/2027-trademark-law-changes). Fees and procedures can also change. Check the current rule before relying on an older reply. ## Can one trademark application cover several classes? > A trademark registration application may be filed as a multi-class application. > > [CNIPA reply of May 6, 2024](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=460284), translated by Ginbing ## How are multi-class applications charged, and can one cover all 45 classes? > The fee for a paper application (per class) is RMB 300 (limited to 10 items in the class; above 10 items, an extra RMB 30 is charged for each additional item). The fee for an online application that accepts electronic delivery of documents (per class) is RMB 270 (limited to 10 items in the class; above 10 items, an extra RMB 27 is charged for each additional item). > A multi-class application covering classes 1-45 may be filed. > > [CNIPA reply of September 26, 2024](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=476028), translated by Ginbing ## Can a class be added to a registered mark without changing the number? > Adding a class requires filing a new trademark registration application, which will produce a new trademark registration number. > > [CNIPA reply of August 6, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=501091), translated by Ginbing ## Can items be added within a class of an existing mark? > Items cannot be added; please file a new trademark application. > > [CNIPA reply of November 29, 2024](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=481365), translated by Ginbing ## How can a registered mark cover more goods or services in the same class? > Where exclusive rights in a registered trademark are needed for goods outside the approved scope of use, a separate registration application must be filed. > > [CNIPA reply of January 16, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=521543), translated by Ginbing ## Before registration, can a multi-class application be split into one registration per class? > The classes of a multi-class mark cannot be separated. > > [CNIPA reply of August 1, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=500576), translated by Ginbing ## How can one class be withdrawn from a pending multi-class application? > For a mark still in the registration process, deleting the items is enough. > > [CNIPA reply of June 26, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=496975), translated by Ginbing ## Can a registered trademark be divided into two or more marks? > A division application cannot be made for a registered trademark. > > [CNIPA reply of June 26, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=496952), translated by Ginbing ## Can two registered marks in different classes be merged into one? > Two trademarks cannot be merged into one trademark. > > [CNIPA reply of June 19, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=496222), translated by Ginbing ## Does registering one item in similarity group 2501 cover the others and block similar marks? > Under Article 56 of the Trademark Law, the exclusive right to use a registered trademark is limited to the mark approved for registration and the approved goods. > If you have registered a mark in similarity group 2501, other applicants' identical or similar marks in that group and in similar groups will not get registered. > > [CNIPA reply of August 30, 2024](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=473425), translated by Ginbing ## What if too many items were selected and the payment notice is high? > In this situation, goods and service items cannot be deleted. You may hold off on paying; the application will then not be accepted because of non-payment. You may file a new trademark registration application and select the goods and service items correctly. > > [CNIPA reply of June 21, 2023](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=434810), translated by Ginbing ## Related pages - [Which class for your product](/docs/china-trademark/which-class-for-your-product) - [Classes and similarity groups](/docs/china-trademark/classes)