# CNIPA's answers on filing and timing CNIPA's published replies on how long examination takes, when deadlines fall, withdrawing an application, seals and electronic signatures, and documents a filing does not need. Canonical URL: https://ginbing.com/docs/china-trademark/cnipa-answers-filing-and-timing Markdown URL: https://ginbing.com/docs/china-trademark/cnipa-answers-filing-and-timing/index.md ## TLDR CNIPA's published replies on examination time, deadlines that fall on holidays, withdrawing an application, electronic seals and signatures, and documents a filing does not need. ## Guide 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. ## 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. ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of September 29, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=546096), translated by Ginbing ## How long do trademark examination and registration generally take? > Generally, the trademark examination cycle is 4 months and the registration time is 7 months. > > [CNIPA reply of October 20, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=508419), translated by Ginbing ## How long after payment does a trademark acceptance notice arrive? > About two weeks. > > [CNIPA reply of May 8, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=492804), translated by Ginbing ## How long does the registration announcement stage last? > The registration announcement lasts 1 month. > > [CNIPA reply of July 14, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=498727), translated by Ginbing ## How soon after the registration announcement is the registration certificate sent? > The registration certificate is sent about 1 month after the registration announcement. > > [CNIPA reply of June 30, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=497357), translated by Ginbing ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of January 26, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=522589), translated by Ginbing ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of May 19, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=493707), translated by Ginbing ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of June 24, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=496639), translated by Ginbing ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of July 10, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=539973), translated by Ginbing ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of June 15, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=536101), translated by Ginbing ## Can a trademark application withdrawn by mistake be restored? > Restoration of a withdrawn trademark application cannot be requested. > > [CNIPA reply of May 12, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=493563), translated by Ginbing ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of June 10, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=495393), translated by Ginbing ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of July 14, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=498703), translated by Ginbing ## Does trademark registration require an original-creation exclusive-rights certificate? > Trademark registration does not require an original-creation exclusive-rights certificate. > > [CNIPA reply of May 8, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=492999), translated by Ginbing ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of January 6, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=484366), translated by Ginbing ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of July 10, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=498409), translated by Ginbing ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of June 11, 2024](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=464553), translated by Ginbing ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of April 22, 2024](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=459261), translated by Ginbing ## Can refusal review documents such as a power of attorney use an electronic seal? > In this situation, electronic seals cannot be accepted. > > [CNIPA reply of September 14, 2023](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=442095), translated by Ginbing ## Can electronic signatures be used on a power of attorney or business license? > In this situation, electronic signatures are not allowed. > > [CNIPA reply of September 12, 2023](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=441853), translated by Ginbing ## 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. > > [CNIPA reply of April 24, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=530360), translated by Ginbing ## Related pages - [How long registration takes](/docs/china-trademark/timeline) - [What happens after you file](/docs/china-trademark/after-you-file) - [CNIPA: Applying to register](/docs/china-trademark/cnipa-guide-applying-to-register)