Designating China through the Madrid Protocol

If you already hold a home application or registration, an international registration under the Madrid System can extend protection to China in one filing. But the China national phase runs on Chinese substantive standards, and any provisional refusal must be answered in Chinese through a CNIPA-recorded agent. Here are the fees, the process, and when a direct national filing is the better route.

China individual fees under Madrid (2026)

Fee item	First class	Each additional class
China individual fee (ordinary mark)	CHF 220	CHF 110
Collective / certification mark	CHF 661	CHF 331

Payable in addition to the WIPO basic fee: CHF 653 (black-and-white) or CHF 903 (colour).
Beyond three classes a complementary fee of roughly CHF 100 / class applies (or the equivalent individual fee).
CHF→USD planning rate ≈ 1.15. These are WIPO figures; confirm the live schedule before paying.

Calculate the exact total with the fee tool →

How the China designation proceeds

Home basis — you need a pending or registered mark in your office of origin.
File the international application through your home office; WIPO conducts formal examination and registers it.
WIPO transmits the designation to CNIPA, which applies Chinese substantive standards (distinctiveness, prior rights, Chinese classification items).
Provisional refusal (if any) — CNIPA issues it through WIPO; it must be answered in Chinese by a CNIPA-recorded agent within the stated term.
Statement of grant of protection — once cleared, protection in China has the same effect as a national registration.

Madrid vs direct national filing

Madrid is better when…

You need several countries at once, already have a solid home registration, and value a single administrative renewal. Lower upfront admin for multi-country coverage.

Direct national filing is better when…

China is your key market, you want the fastest, most controllable process, your home basis is new (the "central attack" risk matters), or you need Chinese-character marks and tailored class items.

Central attack: if the home basis is refused/cancelled within five years, the international registration — including the China designation — falls, though it can be converted to national applications.
Either way, a China-phase refusal, opposition or renewal requires a local Chinese agent.

Not sure which route fits? Use the route chooser →

Received a China provisional refusal, or designating China?

Huaqing Innovation (Huaqing IP / 华青创新) responds to Madrid China-phase refusals in Chinese and handles oppositions, renewals and national filings. Get a fixed quote in a free 30-minute call.

Book free 30-min consult Open route chooser

Frequently asked questions

What does it cost to designate China under Madrid?

The China individual fee is CHF 220 for the first class and CHF 110 for each additional class, plus the WIPO basic fee (CHF 653/903) and, beyond three classes, roughly CHF 100 per class. Use the fee calculator for the total.

Do I still need a Chinese agent?

Yes, if CNIPA issues a provisional refusal — the response must be drafted and filed in Chinese by a CNIPA-recorded agent. WIPO only handles the formal/transmittal stage.

What is a provisional refusal and how tight is the deadline?

It is CNIPA's notice that the designation faces an objection (e.g. prior mark, descriptiveness). The response window is stated in the notice and is short; missing it loses the China designation.

What is the "central attack"?

If the home registration/application underlying the international registration is refused or cancelled within five years, the international registration — including China — is affected. It can be converted into national Chinese applications within the statutory period.

See all FAQs →