In China, the brand belongs to whoever files first.
Not whoever invented it. Not whoever sells it. Whoever registers it. Every year foreign brands discover a stranger already owns their name in China , often the very factory that makes their product. We file before that happens.
What happens if you wait
Trademark squatting
Bad-faith filers register well-known foreign brands first, then sell the rights back, or block you outright. It's a known business model in China.
Your own goods, seized
If someone else holds your mark, they can have your products stopped at Chinese customs as counterfeits of their registration.
The factory files it
Manufacturers sometimes register the brands they produce. Walk away from the supplier and you can lose the name with them.
How exposed is your brand?
Answer four quick questions. Nothing is sent. This runs entirely in your browser.
1 · Do you manufacture or source any products in China?
2 · Do you sell, or plan to sell, into the Chinese market?
3 · Have you registered your trademark in China yet?
4 · Is your brand visible publicly, website, Canton Fair, Alibaba, social?
How many classes do you need?
Protection in China is per class. More classes = broader cover. Pick the ones that match your business to see indicative scope.
Select the classes that cover your products and services.
From questionnaire to certificate
You tell us your brand
Fill the questionnaire below. Four minutes, no logo needed.
We clear & classify
We check availability and translate your goods into the right Nice classes, including a Chinese-language mark if useful.
We file with CNIPA
Your application is lodged with China's trademark office, securing your filing date.
You get your registration
We track it through examination to certificate and keep you posted at every stage.
Trademark filing questionnaire
Tell us about your brand and we'll map your filing strategy. Takes about four minutes.
Before you file
No, and that is exactly why it is risky to wait. You can register defensively before you enter the market. If you manufacture in China, you're already exposed even without selling there.
Chinese consumers and distributors will refer to your brand in Chinese whether you choose the characters or not. Filing your own Chinese mark stops someone else from defining and owning it for you.
China sorts all goods and services into 45 categories. Your registration only covers the classes you file in, so most brands file in the classes covering their core products plus closely related ones. Use the estimator above to map yours.
Typically around 9-12 months through to certificate, but your protection priority is locked in the moment we file, which is what matters in a first-to-file country.
Your answers come straight to our filing team. We'll review availability and classes, then come back with a clear scope and quote before anything is filed.
