Since February 2022, foreign applicants can protect industrial designs in China through the WIPO Hague system. It is the international route for designs, and it makes sense when you need several countries at once, not for a China-only filing.
How the Hague route works
You file one international design application with WIPO and designate China along with other members. WIPO forwards it to CNIPA, which examines it under the same rules as a national filing, including the image requirements.
When Hague makes sense
If you need design protection in five or more countries, one Hague application and one renewal process save real time and money. For a seller whose markets span Europe and Asia, it is often the cleanest route.
When national filing is better
For China alone, the national route is usually simpler and cheaper: you control the filing directly, official fees through grant are about $180, and our Standard plan covers the compliance check, filing and updates. We compare both routes before recommending one, because the right answer depends on your markets. Tell us where you sell and we will map it.
