CNIPA's answers on filing and timing
Replies CNIPA published to questions about filing an application and how long each step takes, translated by Ginbing. Each reply links to its Chinese original on CNIPA's website.
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About these replies
- Official source
- Trademark registration questions, 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
How long does the Trademark Office have to examine a trademark application?
Under Article 28 of the Trademark Law, the Trademark Office shall complete its examination of an application to register a trademark within nine months from the date it receives the application documents and, where the application complies with the relevant provisions of this Law, shall publish a preliminary approval announcement.
How long do trademark examination and registration generally take?
Generally, the trademark examination cycle is 4 months and the registration time is 7 months.
How long after payment does a trademark acceptance notice arrive?
About two weeks.
How long does the registration announcement stage last?
The registration announcement lasts 1 month.
How soon after the registration announcement is the registration certificate sent?
The registration certificate is sent about 1 month after the registration announcement.
If a trademark deadline falls on a public holiday, does it move later?
Under the Trademark Law and its Implementing Regulations, where the last day of a time limit is a holiday, the first working day after the holiday is the last day of the time limit.
If a renewal or priority deadline is a statutory holiday, is it extended?
Where the last day for renewal or priority is a statutory holiday, it is extended to the first working day.
For electronic service, which date is the date a document is sent?
The date a document is sent means the "issue date" shown in the electronic application system.
Can agencies still submit opposition, invalidation or non-use cancellation materials on paper?
After July 1, 2026, agencies must in principle submit electronic materials through the online trademark service system; paper materials are no longer accepted.
Until what point can an applicant withdraw a trademark application?
An applicant may request CNIPA to withdraw its application to register a trademark before that trademark is approved for registration.
Can a trademark application withdrawn by mistake be restored?
Restoration of a withdrawn trademark application cannot be requested.
Can an application be withdrawn free before the payment notice, without affecting a refiling?
Withdrawal can be requested, no fee is charged for requesting it, and the new application is not affected.
Can registration and examination announcements be limited to a chosen scope?
After a trademark application is filed, the registration announcement and the examination announcement cannot be limited to a chosen scope.
Does trademark registration require an original-creation exclusive-rights certificate?
Trademark registration does not require an original-creation exclusive-rights certificate.
Does registering a trademark require use evidence or an original-ownership authentication?
Registering a trademark does not require providing evidence of use or an original-ownership authentication approved by a national certification center.
Who appears on a joint registration certificate, and is withdrawal after the acceptance notice refunded?
The registration certificate shows the first applicant's information (the supplementary page shows the co-owners' information). Withdrawal after the acceptance notice has been sent is not a case for a refund.
In a joint application, does each co-applicant need its own power of attorney?
In this situation, trademark agency powers of attorney must be submitted separately.
How should a company complete the seal or signature field on an application?
In the "Applicant's seal (signature)" field: where the applicant is a legal person or other organization, its seal must be affixed.
Can refusal review documents such as a power of attorney use an electronic seal?
In this situation, electronic seals cannot be accepted.
Can electronic signatures be used on a power of attorney or business license?
In this situation, electronic signatures are not allowed.
How does an owner switch agency after a trademark is registered?
After a trademark is approved for registration, there is no need to complete the procedure for changing the agent. If a specific later matter needs to be entrusted to another agency, simply submit the entrustment formalities in that specific case.
Questions? Open Support.