How long does a China trademark take?

DocsLast updated August 23, 2026

TLDR

Use about seven months as a dated reference for a smooth application, not a deadline or fast-track promise. Delays can extend it.

A straightforward China trademark application has recently taken about seven months through examination and publication. CNIPA controls the schedule, and a correction, refusal, opposition, or other delay can extend it.

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A recent normal-cycle reference is about seven months

The reference covers a filing that is complete, passes examination without a refusal, and receives no opposition during publication. Paying a higher service fee does not move an application ahead of CNIPA’s examination queue.

CNIPA reported a normal registration cycle of about seven months in March 2024. That is a dated operational reference, not a guaranteed registration date. The current law also gives CNIPA up to nine months for examination alone, so nine months must not be presented as the proven upper end of a normal filing-to-registration range. See CNIPA’s March 2024 timing guidance.

The estimate contains several CNIPA stages

The normal-cycle reference spans CNIPA’s examination and publication stages. Current law provides a three-month opposition period; the revised law effective January 1, 2027 states two months. Confirm the applicable rule for an application reaching publication around that transition.

Issues can extend the timeline

A correction request, partial or full refusal, third-party opposition, or unusual examination delay can move the application outside the usual range. The relevant notice explains what happened and whether a response decision has a deadline.

The current statutory framework is the 2019 Trademark Law. The revised Trademark Law takes effect on January 1, 2027.

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