By Karen Lim
Official trademark fees in China were reduced by 50% from April 1, 2017. The current fees are listed below:
| Action | Fee (RMB) | Fee (USD)* |
| Filing trademark application (per class) | 300 | 44 |
| Additional fees for goods/services in excess of ten items per class | 30 | 4 |
| Applying for re-issuance of a registration certificate | 500 | 74 |
| Applying for assignment / transfer of a trademark registration/application | 500 | 74 |
| Renewal of trademark registration (per class) | 1000 | 147 |
| Late filing of renewal documents during grace period | 250 | 37 |
| Applications for trademark review before the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board (“TRAB”) (refusal appeal, opposition appeal, nonuse cancellation appeal, invalidation) | 750 | 110 |
| Recording change of name or address or agent of owner for mark (per class) | 250 | 37 |
| Obtaining a certified document | 50 | 7 |
| Applying for collective or certification mark per class | 1500 | 221 |
| Filing an opposition per mark per class | 500 | 74 |
| Cancellation procedures per mark per class | 500 | 74 |
| Applying for recordal of a license | 150 | 22 |
*USD figures are subject to foreign currency fluctuations.
The fee reductions are consistent with the Chinese government’s five-year plan to raise China’s status as a country strong in IP assets. The plan also calls for procedures to simplify online filing and to open up centers throughout the country to receive new trademark applications. While the lower fees benefit trademark owners, they also raise concerns about increased bad-faith filings.