How long does a China trademark take?

DocsLast updated August 9, 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

After filing, CNIPA checks the application, examines the mark, publishes an approved mark for opposition, and then issues the registration if no issue prevents it. Current law provides a three-month opposition period; the revised law effective January 1, 2027 states two months, so confirm the applicable rule for an application reaching publication around that transition. Read what happens after filing for the procedural detail of each stage.

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.

For delay causes and how to identify the stage where time is accumulating, read why China trademark timelines stretch.

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

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