IPR Customs Protection

Basic Information  |  Enforcement  |  Documents Needed to Record IPRs

Basic Information

Legal Basis for Protection
Regulations on the Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights of the People's Republic of China, by decree No. 179 of the State Council on July 5, 1995, effective October 1, 1995.

Protectable IPRs
Any intellectual property rights (IPRs) relating to the import and export goods that are subjects of protection according to the laws and regulations of the PRC, including trademark rights, copyrights and patent rights.

To Whom to Record IPRs
The General Customs Administration (GCA) in Beijing.

The Term for Protection of Recorded IPRs
Recorded IPRs are protected for a term of seven years, and can be renewed for another seven years each time as long as the IPRs are valid. Renewal shall be filed within six month prior to the expiry of such recordation.

Time Needed for Recordal of IPRs
Within thirty days the General Customs Administration shall decide if IPRs recordal shall be allowed after receipt of satisfactory documents. A certificate showing the IPRs recordal will then be issued.