A registered trademark in China lasts ten years — but only if you remember to renew it. Because China operates a first-to-file system and trademarks are the most valuable intangible asset most foreign companies own in the country, missing a renewal deadline can mean losing the brand name you spent years building. Renewal is inexpensive and procedurally simple, yet every year foreign brands lose marks through oversight.
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How Long a Chinese Trademark Lasts
A trademark registered in China is valid for ten years from the date of registration. The term is set by the Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China and applies uniformly to all marks, whether registered by a domestic applicant or a foreign company through a licensed Chinese trademark agency.
Crucially, the ten-year term is not the end of the road. Trademarks can be renewed indefinitely for additional ten-year periods, provided the renewal application is filed on time. There is no limit on the number of renewals. A well-managed Chinese trademark can therefore protect your brand for decades.
Renewal Deadlines and Grace Period
The renewal application should be filed within the twelve months before the expiry date of the current registration. Filing early within this window ensures continuity and avoids any gap in protection.
If you miss the twelve-month window, there is a six-month grace period immediately after expiry during which you can still file for renewal by paying a late surcharge. However, operating inside the grace period is riskier: the mark is technically no longer in force during that interval, and you may have to restore or defend rights that lapse in the interim.
If the grace period also passes without renewal, the registration is cancelled and the mark becomes available for third parties to register. At that point, recovering the mark is expensive, uncertain, and entirely avoidable.
The Renewal Process
Renewal in China is straightforward, but it still requires precision. The core steps are:
- Confirm the registration details. Verify the registration number, the mark, the classes, and the current registrant name against the CNIPA record.
- Prepare the application. Submit a renewal application identifying the mark and the registration to be renewed.
- Pay the renewal fee. Official fees are charged per class.
- Receive the renewal certificate. CNIPA issues confirmation that the term has been extended for another ten years.
Foreign applicants without a presence in China must act through a licensed Chinese trademark agency. The agency handles the filing, tracks the deadline, and confirms that the renewed registration accurately reflects the current owner and mark details.
Renewal Fees
Official renewal fees in China are modest, particularly when compared to the commercial value of a live trademark. The official fee is charged per class, and a mark registered in multiple classes must be renewed in each class. Professional service fees from a trademark agent are layered on top, but the total cost of a renewal is typically a small fraction of the cost and risk of re-registering a lost mark from scratch.
Because the ten-year term is long, the most common failure is not budget — it is simply losing track of the date. A renewal calendar or a managed IP portfolio review is the most cost-effective safeguard available.
The Non-Use Cancellation Risk
Renewal alone does not guarantee the mark is safe. Under Chinese law, a registered trademark that has not been genuinely used in China for a continuous period of three years can be cancelled on the application of any interested party. This is known as non-use cancellation.
This creates a subtle but important trap: a company may dutifully renew its mark every ten years while remaining vulnerable to cancellation for lack of use. To defend a mark, you should keep evidence of genuine commercial use in China — invoices, contracts, advertising, packaging, and sales records. If a non-use cancellation action is filed, this evidence is what preserves your rights.
Recording Changes to Name, Address, and Ownership
Renewal deadlines are also a natural moment to review whether your registration details are still accurate. If the registrant has changed its name, merged, or relocated, the change should be recorded with CNIPA. Similarly, if the mark has been assigned or the company restructured, the ownership record must be updated.
An inaccurate record can complicate enforcement, delay customs recordation, and even jeopardize the mark if a third party challenges the chain of title. A periodic portfolio review — ideally timed with each renewal cycle — keeps the registration clean and enforceable.
Managing Renewals from Guangzhou and Shenzhen
Foreign companies with operations in southern China typically manage trademark renewals through experienced IP agents in Guangzhou or Shenzhen. Both cities host strong trademark service ecosystems, and a local agent can confirm use evidence, coordinate with CNIPA, and manage a portfolio across multiple classes and marks for companies operating throughout Foshan and Dongguan.
The value of a local agent is greatest when a renewal coincides with a name change, an assignment, or a non-use challenge — situations where in-person document handling and regional expertise materially reduce risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance can I renew my Chinese trademark?
You can file for renewal any time within the twelve months before the expiry date. Filing early is recommended.
What happens if I miss the renewal deadline?
You have a six-month grace period after expiry to renew with a late surcharge. After that, the registration is cancelled.
Do I need to prove use to renew?
No, renewal does not require proof of use. However, a separate non-use cancellation action can target a mark that has not been genuinely used for three years, so retaining use evidence is still essential.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Trademark renewal deadlines, fees, and procedures in China are subject to change, and individual circumstances vary. You should consult a qualified trademark attorney or licensed Chinese IP agent before taking action on a trademark renewal or defending a non-use cancellation proceeding.
