The Complete Guide to Searching Chinese Trademarks
Whether you're an international business entering the Chinese market, an Amazon seller sourcing from China, or a brand owner protecting your intellectual property, understanding how to search the Chinese trademark database is essential. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from basic lookups to interpreting search results and taking the next step toward registration.
Updated: | China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA)
What is a Chinese Trademark?
A Chinese trademark is a legally registered sign, symbol, word, or combination that distinguishes your goods or services from others in the Chinese market. Trademarks in China are administered by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), formerly known as the Trademark Office of SAIC.
China operates on a "first-to-file" system — meaning the first person to register a trademark owns the rights to it, regardless of who used it first. This is critically different from common law jurisdictions like the United States, where usage can establish rights. If you plan to do business in or with China, registering your trademark early is not optional — it's essential.
Key facts about Chinese trademarks:
45 classes based on the Nice Classification system (Classes 1-34 for goods, 35-45 for services)
10-year validity from registration date, renewable indefinitely
Applications are examined within 4 months on average
Foreign applicants must use a registered Chinese trademark agent
Chinese characters (汉字) trademarks and Latin alphabet trademarks are treated separately
Why Search the Chinese Trademark Database?
Searching the Chinese trademark database before filing your application can save you significant time, money, and legal headaches. Here's why it matters:
1. Avoid Trademark Conflicts
Before investing in branding, packaging, and marketing for the Chinese market, you need to know if your desired trademark is available. A comprehensive search reveals existing registrations that could block your application or, worse, expose you to infringement claims.
2. Understand the Competitive Landscape
Searching by company name or product category shows you what trademarks your competitors have registered. This competitive intelligence helps you position your brand strategically and identify potential conflicts early.
3. Monitor Your Own Trademarks
Regular searches help you monitor the status of your pending applications and watch for potentially infringing marks filed by third parties. Early detection means faster enforcement.
4. Due Diligence for Business Deals
If you're acquiring a Chinese company, licensing a brand, or entering a joint venture, trademark searches are essential due diligence. They reveal whether the IP assets you're buying actually exist and are valid.
Pro Tip: Always search in both Chinese characters and Latin alphabet. A trademark registered in English does NOT automatically protect its Chinese transliteration — someone else could register the Chinese version.
How to Use Our China Trademark Search Tool
Our search tool provides direct access to the official Chinese trademark database through the TMKOO API. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting the most accurate results:
Step 1: Choose Your Search Type
Select from the dropdown menu based on what information you have:
Trademark Name (商标名称) — Best for checking if your brand name is available. Supports partial matching.
Registration Number (注册号) — Use when you have a specific registration or application number.
Applicant Name (申请人) — Search all trademarks owned by a specific company or individual.
Agent Name (代理机构) — Find marks handled by a specific trademark agency.
Step 2: Enter Your Search Keyword
For name searches, use the most distinctive part of your brand. Partial words work well — searching "micro" will match "Microsoft", "MicroTech", etc. For applicant searches, use the exact company name as registered in China.
Step 3: Filter by International Class (Optional)
Select a Nice class to narrow results to your industry. For example, Class 9 for software/electronics, Class 25 for clothing, Class 35 for advertising/business services. Leave blank to search across all 45 classes.
Step 4: Review and Analyze Results
Our tool displays results in a clean table format showing the trademark name, class, status, applicant, and filing date. Click any result to view the full detail page with the complete registration timeline.
Search Tip: Chinese trademark applicants are often registered with their Chinese business name. If searching for "Apple", try both "Apple" and the Chinese name you know them by to find all related marks.
Understanding Nice Classification (Classes 1-45)
The Nice Classification is an international system used to categorize goods and services for trademark registration. China fully adopts this system with all 45 classes. Understanding which classes apply to your business is crucial — your trademark protection is limited to the classes you register in.
Goods (Classes 1-34)
Class 3
Cosmetics, cleaning products
Class 5
Pharmaceuticals, supplements
Class 9
Software, electronics, apps
Class 14
Jewelry, watches
Class 18
Leather goods, luggage
Class 20
Furniture
Class 21
Household items, kitchenware
Class 25
Clothing, footwear, headwear
Class 28
Toys, sporting goods
Class 30
Food products, coffee, tea
Class 33
Alcoholic beverages
Services (Classes 35-45)
Class 35
Advertising, business management, retail
Class 36
Insurance, financial services
Class 38
Telecommunications
Class 41
Education, entertainment
Class 42
Scientific/tech services, software dev
Class 43
Restaurants, hotels, food services
Class 44
Medical, beauty, agricultural services
Class 45
Legal, security, personal services
Important: A single trademark application in China covers ONE class. If you need protection in 3 classes, you must file 3 separate applications (or a multi-class application, which costs roughly the same). Budget accordingly.
How to Read Trademark Search Results
Our search results display key information about each trademark. Here's what each field means:
Key Fields Explained
Trademark Name / Image: The mark as registered. May include special characters or stylized text.
Status (法律状态): The current legal status — the most important indicator. Common statuses include:
Registered (已注册) — Active and protected
Pending (待审) — Application under examination
Opposed/Objected (驳回/异议) — Facing challenges
Invalid/Cancelled (无效/撤销) — No longer protected
International Class (国际分类): The Nice class(es) the mark is registered in.
Application Number / Date: The official filing reference and date.
Applicant (申请人): The owner of the trademark.
Agent (代理): The trademark agency that filed the application (required for foreign filers).
Detail Page Features
Click any result to view the full detail page with:
Process Flowchart: Visual timeline showing the trademark's journey from filing to registration
Publication Announcements: Links to official gazette publications
Complete Filing History: All documents and actions in the registration process
Status Warning: A mark showing as "Registered" today could be challenged tomorrow. Always verify critical information through multiple sources before making business decisions.
China Trademark Registration Process
Understanding the full registration process helps you plan your timeline and budget. Here's the complete journey from application to registration:
1
Trademark Search & Clearance (1-2 weeks)
Conduct a comprehensive search to assess availability. Our tool helps with preliminary searches, but for critical marks, we recommend a formal clearance search through a registered agent.
2
Application Filing (1-3 days)
Your trademark agent prepares and submits the application to CNIPA. Foreign applicants must use a Chinese-licensed agent. Documents required include a Power of Attorney and applicant details.
3
Formality Examination (1-2 months)
CNIPA checks that your application is complete and properly filed. If issues are found, you'll receive a notice and have a limited time to respond.
4
Substantive Examination (3-4 months)
An examiner reviews your mark for distinctiveness, conflicts with prior marks, and compliance with Chinese trademark law. This is the most critical phase.
5
Publication & Opposition (3 months)
If approved, your mark is published in the Trademark Gazette. Third parties have 3 months to file an opposition. For unopposed marks, registration follows automatically.
6
Registration & Certificate (1-2 months)
After the opposition period ends without challenges, your trademark is registered and a certificate is issued. Congratulations — your mark is now protected in China for 10 years!
Total timeline: ~7 months for a smooth application (4 months examination + 3 months publication).
Trademark Registration Service Fee
Chinatrademarkonline offers a transparent, all-inclusive trademark registration service. One price covers everything — no hidden fees, no surprises.
$199 per class
All-inclusive application fee — covers government filing fees, professional preparation, submission, and handling through to registration.
This is the complete application fee. No additional costs for office action responses, monitoring, or certificate issuance — it's all included. Need protection in multiple classes? Simply multiply: 3 classes = $199 × 3 = $597.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Based on years of experience helping international clients register trademarks in China, here are the most common mistakes — and how to avoid them:
1. Waiting Too Long to File
China's first-to-file system rewards early action. If someone registers your brand before you do, you'll face an expensive and uncertain cancellation process. File before you launch.
2. Only Registering in English/Latin Characters
Your English brand name does not automatically protect its Chinese equivalent. If your brand will be used in China, register both the Latin and Chinese character versions. This is particularly important for consumer-facing brands.
3. Choosing the Wrong Classes
Registering in too few classes leaves gaps in protection. Registering in too many wastes money. Work with your agent to identify all relevant classes, including related categories where confusion might occur.
4. Ignoring the 3-Year Non-Use Rule
If a registered trademark is not used in China for 3 consecutive years, any third party can apply for its cancellation. Use your mark or risk losing it.
5. Poor Trademark Selection
Generic or descriptive marks are harder to register in China. Choose distinctive, arbitrary, or suggestive marks for the strongest protection. A trademark agent can advise on registrability before you file.
6. Not Monitoring for Infringement
Registration is just the beginning. Regularly search for similar marks that could infringe on your rights. Early detection enables faster, cheaper enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can foreigners register trademarks in China?
A: Yes, absolutely. However, foreign applicants MUST use a registered Chinese trademark agent to file on their behalf. You cannot file directly with CNIPA as a foreign entity or individual.
Q: How long does China trademark registration take?
A: A smooth application typically takes ~7 months from filing to registration (4 months examination + 3 months publication).
Q: Does a US/EU trademark protect me in China?
A: No. Trademark rights are territorial. A US, EU, or any other jurisdiction's registration does NOT provide protection in China. You must register separately with CNIPA.
Q: What if someone already registered my brand in China?
A: You may have options including: (1) purchasing the registration from the current owner, (2) filing a cancellation action if the registration was made in bad faith, or (3) negotiating a coexistence agreement. Legal advice is strongly recommended in these situations.
Q: How much does it cost to search and register?
A: Searching on our platform is free (with daily limits based on your account tier). Trademark registration through Chinatrademarkonline is $199 per class, all fees included.
Q: Can I register a trademark in Chinese characters (汉字)?
A: Yes, Chinese character trademarks are very common and often more distinctive. It's recommended to register both your original language mark and its Chinese equivalent for complete protection.
Ready to Register Your Trademark in China?
Now that you understand how to search and what's involved in the registration process, you're ready to take the next step toward protecting your brand in the world's second-largest economy.
Here's what to do next:
Search your trademark using our free tool above to check preliminary availability
Fill out our registration form and we'll handle the entire process from filing to registration
We file your application directly with CNIPA — no middlemen, no extra fees
We monitor your application through to successful registration
Get Your China Trademark Registered
Chinatrademarkonline handles the entire process — from search and filing to registration and beyond. $199 per class, all fees included.