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Trademark guide · Updated

Trademark registration in Hong Kong SAR, China

In Hong Kong SAR, China, you file directly with the Intellectual Property Department (IPD): mainland China registrations do not extend there, and Madrid cannot yet designate it. Official fees are HKD 2,000 for the first class plus HKD 1,000 per additional class; examiners search earlier marks, and the address for service must be local.

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Trademark registration in Hong Kong SAR, China

Five questions first

Which route?Only a direct application to the IPD: the Madrid System does not yet apply to Hong Kong SAR, and mainland China registrations do not cover it.Details ↓What do I need?The applicant's name and address, an address for service in Hong Kong SAR, the mark, goods or services by Nice class, and Chinese or English as the application language.Details ↓How are official fees charged?HKD 2,000 for the first class and HKD 1,000 for each additional class; a series of up to 4 marks costs the same. Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order.Details ↓How long does it take?With no deficiencies, objections or opposition, registration in about 6 months at the earliest (estimate, based on IPD guidance); publication is followed by a 3-month opposition period.Details ↓What are the main risks?Examiners cite similar earlier marks on their own initiative; the mark and the applicant can hardly be changed after filing; the address for service must be a real address in Hong Kong SAR.Details ↓
Key facts

Trademarks in Hong Kong SAR: key facts

OfficeIntellectual Property Department (IPD) of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR; applications are handled by its Trade Marks Registry. Website and search links: IP Toolbox.
LawTrade Marks Ordinance (Cap. 559); procedure and fees in the Trade Marks Rules (Cap. 559A)
Territorial scopeHong Kong SAR only; registrations on the Chinese mainland do not extend to Hong Kong SAR, so the two must be applied for separately
Madrid SystemNot yet applicable: Hong Kong SAR cannot be designated through Madrid, nor used as the office of origin for an international application; the relevant provisions of the Trade Marks (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 await a commencement notice from the government
Address for serviceA residential or business address in Hong Kong SAR; post office boxes, virtual offices, care-of addresses and email are not accepted. Agents must also reside or have a place of business in Hong Kong SAR
LanguageChinese or English; the language chosen becomes the language of the proceedings, used for the publication and the registration certificate
Multi-class applicationsAllowed; fees are charged for the first class plus each additional class. A series may contain up to 4 marks, and the traditional and simplified forms of the same Chinese characters can form one series
Deficiency correction (statutory)2 months from the deficiency notice, not extendable
Response to objections (statutory)6 months from the examiner's report, extendable once by 3 months
Deficiency check (official statistics)Performance pledge: first deficiency-check letter within 3 months for 94% of applications; actual rate for January–August 2026: 96%
Opposition (statutory)3 months from publication, extendable by 2 months on request, with no further extension
Term and renewal (statutory)10 years, with the filing date as the registration date; renew within 6 months before expiry, or within 6 months after expiry with a late fee
Non-use (statutory)Liable to revocation after 3 consecutive years without genuine use in Hong Kong SAR and without proper reasons
Filing feeHKD 2,000 (including 1 class), plus HKD 1,000 for each additional class (in force since 30 March 2015)

Checked on 2026-10-06; general information only — the office's published rules and fees prevail.

Which route

Hong Kong SAR registration vs mainland China registration

Hong Kong SAR currently has a single route: a direct application to the IPD. Many applicants already hold or plan a registration on the Chinese mainland, so the table compares the two. They are separate registration systems, applied for and maintained separately.

ItemHong Kong SAR registration (IPD)Mainland China registration (CNIPA)
Territorial scopeHong Kong SAR onlyThe Chinese mainland only; does not extend to Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR, China
LawTrade Marks Ordinance (Cap. 559)Trademark Law of the PRC
Madrid SystemNot yet applicable: Hong Kong SAR cannot be designated, nor serve as the office of originChina can be designated through Madrid, but the protection does not include Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR
Official feesHKD 2,000 for the first class, HKD 1,000 per additional class, paid to the IPDCNY 270 per class for online filing (up to 10 items in the class; CNY 27 for each extra item)
Address and representationAn address for service in Hong Kong SAR is required; an agent, if appointed, must reside or have a place of business in Hong Kong SARApplicants with no habitual residence or place of business on the Chinese mainland must appoint a legally established trademark agency
Best forBrands sold in shops or online in Hong Kong SAR, or re-exported through itBrands made or sold on the Chinese mainland; if you do business in both, register in both

For mainland filings, see registering a trademark in mainland China. Not sure? Run a free search first, then submit an order online; the agent will advise you based on the search results.

What to prepare

Documents checklist

For a direct application to the IPD, prepare the following information and documents. The IPD does not normally ask for proof of the applicant's identity, and asks for it during examination only if needed. Signed documents such as a power of attorney are provided following the agent's instructions.

Applicant

  • Name, as shown in your company registration documents; if the company has registered names in both Chinese and English, you can give both
  • Address and contact email
  • Once the application is filed, the applicant cannot be changed to a different entity (for example from a subsidiary to its parent company); a wrong applicant means filing again

Address for service

  • A residential or business address in Hong Kong SAR, to which the IPD sends all correspondence; if you appoint an agent, the agent provides it
  • Post office boxes, virtual offices, care-of addresses and email addresses are not accepted

The mark

  • Word mark: the wording; figurative or combined mark: a clear image
  • Chinese characters can be in traditional or simplified form; the two forms of the same characters can be filed as one series application (up to 4 marks) for the same fee as a single mark
  • Wording in a script that is neither Roman letters nor Chinese characters (for example Thai or Arabic) needs a translation or transliteration, stating the language
  • The representation of the mark cannot be changed after filing, so finalise it first

Goods and services

  • List the class numbers and specific goods or services under the Nice Classification (13th edition from 1 January 2026); the IPD's published descriptions of common goods and services can help
  • Class headings may be used, but the heading itself is the list; goods it does not cover must be listed individually
  • Goods or services described unclearly and not corrected within 2 months are treated as abandoned; the rest of the application continues

Basis and language

  • Sign the declaration on the application form that the mark is in use or that you intend to use it (no evidence of use is required)
  • Choose Chinese or English; the publication, the registration certificate and any opposition proceedings then use that language
  • Earlier application for the same mark filed elsewhere, for example in your home jurisdiction: priority can be claimed within 6 months, and must be claimed when you file
How long

Process and timeline

Example: a direct application with no opposition.

  1. Step 1

    Pre-filing search (recommended)

    Search the IPD's online records for similar marks, or request a pre-application opinion (form T1)

  2. Step 2

    Filing

    File form T2 online or by post and pay the fee; any deficiencies must be corrected within 2 months (statutory, not extendable)

  3. Step 3

    Search and examination

    The examiner searches earlier marks and checks distinctiveness; objections must be answered within 6 months (statutory, extendable once by 3 months)

  4. Step 4

    Publication

    Published in the IPD's Intellectual Property Journal; third parties can oppose within 3 months (statutory, extendable by 2 months)

  5. Step 5

    Registration

    If unopposed, the mark is entered on the register and a certificate issued, with the filing date as the registration date; about 6 months at the earliest overall (estimate, based on IPD guidance)

The IPD publishes no average filing-to-registration time, only a performance pledge for deficiency checks: a first deficiency-check letter within 3 months for 94% of applications. If the first objection is not resolved, the examiner issues a further report after the 6-month response period ends; if it is still unresolved within 3 months, you can request a hearing. Opposed applications go through a counter-statement, evidence and a hearing, and take considerably longer.

How to read the periods: "statutory" = set by law; "official statistics" = averages published by the office; "estimate" = typical cases. Actual timing varies.

How much

Official fees

Official fees for a direct application are charged per application (including the first class) plus each additional class. The current rates have applied since 30 March 2015, and a series application costs the same as a single mark. Filing fees are generally not refunded. The table below shows the IPD's current rates.

ItemChargedAmountApprox. USD
Paid on filing
Application fee (first class included)Per application2,000 HKD≈ USD 255
Each additional classEach additional class1,000 HKD≈ USD 127
Keeping the registration
Renewal (Form T8, within 6 months before expiry, every 10 years, first class included)Per application2,670 HKD≈ USD 340
Renewal: each additional classEach additional class1,340 HKD≈ USD 171
Late renewal surcharge (within 6 months after expiry, payable in addition to the renewal fee)Per application500 HKD≈ USD 64
Restoration and renewal after removal (Form T8, within 6 months after removal, first class included; replaces the renewal fee)Per application4,000 HKD≈ USD 509
Restoration and renewal: each additional classEach additional class1,340 HKD≈ USD 171
Other
Preliminary advice (Form T1) on registrability (section 11), first class includedPer application400 HKD≈ USD 51
Preliminary advice (Form T1): search of records under section 12, first class includedPer application400 HKD≈ USD 51
Preliminary advice: each additional class (HKD 200 per additional class in total when both kinds of advice are requested together)Each additional class200 HKD≈ USD 25
Registration of a registrable transaction such as an assignment (Form T10, other than a licence)Per application800 HKD≈ USD 102

Source: www.ipd.gov.hk · current fees in force since 2015-03-30 · checked on 2026-10-07 · USD figures are approximate, converted at the Bank of China spot selling rate (or, for currencies it does not quote, at the central bank's published USD rate); the official fee is the amount in the original currency

Official fees are as published by the office; the service fee is quoted by an agent after you submit, and you pay only after accepting the quote.

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Example: an application covering 3 classes costs HKD 2,000 + 2 × HKD 1,000 = HKD 4,000 in official filing fees.

Before filing, you can request a pre-application opinion (T1): a registrability opinion or a search of earlier marks costs HKD 400 each (including the first class), plus HKD 200 per additional class. If the opinion finds no objection, you file within 3 months and the examiner still objects, withdrawing the application within the set period gets the filing fee refunded (unless the objection arises from changes to the register after the search date).

Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

Watch out

Rules specific to Hong Kong SAR and common refusals

These are the most common issues in Hong Kong SAR examination, along with local rules that are easy to overlook.

Mainland China registrations do not cover Hong Kong SAR

Hong Kong SAR is a separate trademark jurisdiction. Neither a registration on the Chinese mainland nor protection in China obtained through Madrid extends to Hong Kong SAR, and Madrid cannot yet designate it. The Trade Marks (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 provides the legal basis for applying the Madrid Protocol in future, but the relevant provisions still await a commencement date announced by the government. If you sell, exhibit or re-export through Hong Kong SAR, file separately with the IPD.

Little can be changed after filing

After filing, only minor clerical errors can be corrected: the mark cannot be changed, and a wrong applicant cannot be replaced, so you have to file again, and the fee already paid is generally not refunded. Deficiencies must be corrected within 2 months, with no extension. Settle the mark, the applicant's name and the list of goods before filing; if in doubt, request a pre-application opinion first.

Examiners cite earlier marks

The IPD searches the register and raises relative-grounds objections against marks identical or similar to earlier marks for identical or similar goods. You can restrict the goods, argue your case in writing, or obtain a signed letter of consent from the earlier owner (it must consent to registration in Hong Kong SAR); you can also rely on honest concurrent use. The response period is 6 months, extendable once by 3 months.

The address for service must be a real local address

The address for service can only be a residential or business address in Hong Kong SAR; post office boxes, virtual offices, care-of addresses and email are not accepted. An agent must also reside or have a place of business in Hong Kong SAR, or the Registrar will not recognise it. If no valid address for service is provided within 2 months of a notice, the application is treated as abandoned.

Descriptive signs, place names and how Chinese characters are read

Signs that directly describe the quality, purpose, quantity or value of goods, and geographical names, are refused; the IPD's examples include "QUALITY HANDBAGS" and "NEW YORK FASHION". Chinese characters are examined as read from left to right and top to bottom, so the same characters arranged right to left generally do not count as the same series. A mark that lacks distinctiveness can be supported with evidence that it has acquired distinctiveness through use.

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After registration

Keeping the registration

A Hong Kong SAR registration needs no periodic declarations of use, but an unused mark can be revoked, and a missed renewal leads to removal from the register.

WhenWhat to doOfficial fee
From 3 years after registrationKeep using the mark genuinely in Hong Kong SAR and keep evidence; after 3 consecutive years of non-use, third parties can apply for revocationNone
Within 6 months before expiry, then every 10 yearsRenewal (T8)HKD 2,670 (including 1 class), plus HKD 1,340 per additional class
Within 6 months after expiryLate renewal (T8)Renewal fee plus HKD 500
Within 6 months after removalRestoration and renewal (T8), granted if the Registrar considers it justHKD 4,000 (including 1 class), plus HKD 1,340 per additional class
Any timeAssignments and other registrable transactions (T10); changes of name, address or address for service (T5)Assignment: HKD 800 per application; changes: free

If a registration has not been renewed by expiry, the Registrar publishes a notice in the Intellectual Property Journal; if it is still not renewed 6 months after expiry, the mark is removed from the register. E-commerce brand registries usually also require a registered or pending trademark.

FAQ

Trademark registration in Hong Kong SAR

How much does a trademark cost in Hong Kong SAR?

Official fees are HKD 2,000 for the first class and HKD 1,000 for each additional class, in force since 30 March 2015; 3 classes, for example, cost HKD 4,000. A series application covering the traditional and simplified forms of the same Chinese characters costs the same. Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

How long does trademark registration take in Hong Kong SAR?

According to IPD guidance, an application with no deficiencies, objections or opposition can be registered in about 6 months at the earliest; the IPD publishes no statistics on average times. If the examiner objects, you have 6 months to respond (extendable by 3 months); publication is followed by a 3-month opposition period, and an opposition makes the process considerably longer.

Does a mainland China trademark protect my brand in Hong Kong SAR?

No. The Chinese mainland and Hong Kong SAR have separate registration systems, and the IPD states expressly that a mainland registration does not automatically give protection in Hong Kong SAR; a Madrid designation of China does not cover Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR either. For protection in Hong Kong SAR, file separately with the IPD.

For the mainland, see registering a trademark in mainland China; for Macao SAR, see Trademark registration in Macao SAR, China.

Can I designate Hong Kong SAR through the Madrid System?

Not yet. The Trade Marks (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 added provisions for applying the Madrid Protocol, but they take effect only after the government completes its preparations and announces a commencement date in the Gazette. Until then, you can neither designate Hong Kong SAR through Madrid nor base an international application on a Hong Kong SAR application or registration.

Do I need an address or an agent in Hong Kong SAR?

You need an address for service in Hong Kong SAR, and it must be a real residential or business address; post office boxes, virtual offices and forwarding addresses are not accepted. The law does not require you to appoint an agent, but any agent you appoint must reside or have a place of business in Hong Kong SAR. If you use an agent, the agent provides the address for service.

Should I file in Chinese or English, and in traditional or simplified characters?

The application can be in Chinese or English; the language cannot be changed once chosen, and the publication and registration certificate use it. A Chinese-character mark can be in traditional or simplified form, and the two forms of the same characters can be filed together as a series application for a single fee; a series can contain up to 4 marks.

Other IP rights

Patents: standard patents last up to 20 years. Since 19 December 2019 you can apply directly in Hong Kong SAR through the original grant route, or use the re-registration route based on a corresponding application filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the European Patent Office (designating the UK) or the UK Intellectual Property Office; short-term patents last up to 8 years. For recent developments, see the news item on Hong Kong SAR expanding original grant patent examination.

Designs: registered designs are renewed every 5 years, up to 25 years, and must be registered separately in Hong Kong SAR.

Patent applications are handled through an affiliated patent agency.

Other countries and territories in the region

Mainland China · Macao SAR · Taiwan region · Japan · Republic of Korea

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