How to Obtain a Chinese Trademark & Time Required

To legally use your brand, join e-commerce platforms and protect intellectual property, you need a registered Chinese trademark. There are two main ways to get one: independent registration and purchasing an existing trademark. They differ greatly in time cost, risks and fees. This guide explains the whole process, timeline and suitable scenarios for your reference.

1. Register a Trademark Independently

Independent trademark registration is the most cost-effective and common solution. It is ideal for entrepreneurs and enterprises who do not need the trademark urgently and focus on long-term brand development. The trademark will be fully customized for your brand, while the whole process takes a long time and carries rejection risks.

1.1 Process & Timeline

① Trademark Search & Preparation (1-3 days): Confirm your trademark name, logo and relevant classification. Search for identical or similar trademarks to avoid rejection.

② Application & Formal Examination (7-10 working days): Submit all required documents. The official authority will check document validity and issue an acceptance notice after approval.

③ Substantive Examination (4-5.5 months): Examiners will review trademark distinctiveness, compliance and potential conflicts. The result may be full approval, partial rejection or total rejection.

④ Preliminary Announcement (3 months, statutory period): The trademark will be published publicly. If any third party files an opposition, you need to respond, which will extend the whole period by 3-6 months.

⑤ Registration & Certificate Issuance (1 month): After the announcement period ends with no valid opposition, the trademark will be officially registered, and an electronic registration certificate will be issued.

1.2 Total Duration

• Smooth application with no rejection or opposition: 10-12 months
• With rejection or opposition: 12-18 months

1.3 Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages: Low cost with only official fees; exclusive trademark tailored for your brand; clear ownership without hidden disputes.

Disadvantages: Long waiting period; risk of registration failure; not suitable for urgent brand launch or platform entry.

2. Purchase an Existing Trademark (Trademark Assignment)

Trademark purchase means buying a fully registered trademark and transferring its ownership via official procedures. This option is perfect for merchants who need a trademark urgently for e-commerce entry or product launch, with zero registration risks.

2.1 Process & Timeline

① Trademark Selection & Ownership Verification (1-7 days): Pick qualified trademarks matching your business. Verify validity, ownership, pledge, litigation and other potential issues.

② Negotiation & Sign Contract (1-3 days): Discuss price and terms, sign formal transfer contract and pay deposit to reserve the trademark.

③ Notarization & Document Preparation (3-5 working days): Complete ownership notarization and prepare all transfer documents to avoid official revision requests.

④ Transfer Application & Official Review (1-2 months): Submit transfer application. The authority will examine documents and ownership information.

⑤ Approval & Announcement (1 month): After review, the transfer will be announced. You will obtain full trademark rights once the announcement is completed.

2.2 Total Duration

• Smooth transfer with no document revision: 1-3 months
• With document revision: 3-4 months

Key benefit: You can get temporary authorization to use the trademark right after reservation, for product listing and platform entry before the transfer is fully completed.

2.3 Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages: Fast acquisition with zero registration risks; stable ownership; some trademarks already have public recognition.

Disadvantages: Higher total cost compared with independent registration; the trademark name and style cannot be customized.

3. How to Choose

Choose independent registration: Your brand is in preparation stage, limited budget, no urgent launch demand, and you want a unique exclusive trademark.

Choose trademark purchase: You need to enter major e-commerce platforms, launch products immediately, and avoid registration failure risks.