How to Search China Trademark Goods and Services
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Classification structure | 45 total classes — Classes 1–34 for goods, Classes 35–45 for services, based on the WIPO Nice Classification |
| Current edition | Nice Classification 13th Edition, 2026 Version, effective January 1, 2026 for new applications [1] |
| 2026 filing volume | Approximately 2.055 million trademarks approved for registration in China in the first half of 2026 [2] |
Introduction
If you plan to file a trademark in China, the words you choose to describe your goods and services matter as much as the trademark itself. China’s trademark system does not protect a brand name in the abstract — it protects that name only for the specific goods and services listed in the application. Search the wrong item, or word it imprecisely, and you may end up with a registration that does not actually cover what you sell.
This guide walks through how to search China’s goods and services classification system step by step, why the exact wording of each item shapes your protection scope, and which mistakes most often lead to office actions or gaps competitors can exploit. It also reflects the classification changes that took effect on January 1, 2026, which shifted more than 200 goods and services items across categories.
Understanding the Foundation: China’s Goods and Services Classification System
The 45-Class Structure: Goods vs. Services
China organizes trademark protection into 45 classes. Classes 1 through 34 cover goods — everything from industrial chemicals and machinery to food, apparel, and consumer electronics. Classes 35 through 45 cover services, including advertising, financial services, education, dining, and legal services. Each class carries a general heading and typically contains thousands of specific item names underneath it, organized into smaller subgroups. Before you can search effectively, you need to identify which broad class (or classes) your business actually falls under, since a single product line can sometimes span more than one class depending on how it is marketed or sold.
How the Similar Goods and Services Table Relates to Nice Classification
China is a member of the Nice Agreement and applies the Nice Classification issued by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as the framework for its own system. Building on that framework, the Trademark Office under the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) publishes the Similar Goods and Services Table, which breaks the Nice Classification down into similar subgroups and adds commonly used item names specific to the Chinese market. Examiners rely on this table when they compare a new application against existing registrations, so applicants should treat it as the primary reference tool during both the search and drafting stages.
What Changed in the 2026 (13th) Edition
Nice Union members, including China, began applying the 13th Edition, 2026 Version, of the Nice Classification on January 1, 2026 [1]. CNIPA’s Trademark Office issued its implementation notice on December 26, 2025, and the update touched more than 200 goods and services items [3][4]. The most widely discussed change moved eyewear-related products — glasses, lenses, frames, contact lenses, and sunglasses — out of Class 9 and into Class 10, reflecting their function as corrective or medical devices; smart glasses with data-processing functions, however, remain in Class 9 [3][4][5]. Essential oils were reclassified by intended use, and new items were added across several classes to capture wearable health devices, AI-based services, and other emerging product categories [4]. Applications filed on or after January 1, 2026 must follow the new edition; earlier filings continue to be examined under the previous version, and existing registrations are not affected retroactively [4].
How to Search Goods and Services Classifications Step by Step
Official Channel: CNIPA’s Trademark Website
The most authoritative source for a goods and services search is China’s official trademark portal, China Trademark Website (sbj.cnipa.gov.cn), operated by the Trademark Office under CNIPA. From the homepage, applicants can navigate to the trademark filing section and locate the classification tool, where the current Similar Goods and Services Table is available to view and download. Because the underlying table changes with each Nice Classification update and periodic domestic revisions, always confirm you are viewing the current version before finalizing an application. Firms that regularly file in China, including trademark and copyright service providers, typically cross-check the online table against their internal records before submission.
Keyword Search Method
For applicants who are not yet sure which class their product or service falls under, the keyword search function is the fastest starting point. Type in a plain-language description of the product or service, and the system returns matching classes and similar subgroups. This method works well for common items and saves time compared to manually scrolling through the full classification table. It is also useful as a first-pass check before consulting a professional agency, particularly for businesses testing several product categories at once — see our related guide on the China trademark search tool for a walkthrough of available platforms.
Category Browse Method (Class → Subgroup → Item)
If you already know which class applies, browsing directly is more precise. The structure moves from class, to subgroup, to individual item — for example, a clothing brand would go to Class 25 (clothing, footwear, headgear), select the relevant subgroup, and then choose the specific item name that matches its product. This method reduces the risk of selecting a near-miss term that a keyword search might surface but that does not actually match your product’s function or use. Applicants preparing a full filing often combine this with a broader trademark database search to confirm the class is also clear of conflicting prior marks.
Checking Quarterly Updates to Acceptable Item Names
Beyond the standard Similar Goods and Services Table, CNIPA’s Trademark Office periodically publishes an updated list of acceptable goods and services item names that fall outside the table but are still accepted for filing. These lists are typically refreshed each quarter and posted on the official trademark website and the online filing system. Reviewing the latest quarterly update matters especially for businesses in fast-moving sectors, since new product categories are added there before they are formally folded into the next classification edition.
Why Wording Choices Matter: Selecting the Right Items
Anchor on Core Items Tied to Your Actual Business
Start by mapping the goods and services your business is actually operating with today. A bubble tea shop, for instance, should prioritize Class 43 items such as restaurant services, cafe services, and beverage-serving services rather than tangential items unrelated to its daily operations. This core coverage protects the exact business activity generating revenue and gives the applicant a clean, defensible basis for the registration if it is ever challenged.
Subclass Coverage Strategy
Within the relevant class, it is standard practice to select at least one item from each similar subgroup. CNIPA generally presumes that items within the same subgroup are similar to one another, while items across different subgroups are presumed dissimilar unless proven otherwise. Leaving a subgroup completely uncovered creates an opening for a competitor to register a confusingly similar mark in that gap, even within a class where you already hold protection.
Using Broader Terms Strategically
After locking in the core items, many applicants add items that sit at a broader level within the same subgroup. For example, within the cosmetics subgroup, “cosmetics” functions as a broader term that covers narrower items like lipstick, eyeshadow, and face cream. Including the broader term can help applicants generate stronger use evidence later, which becomes important if the registration is ever challenged through a non-use cancellation action — see our guide on China’s non-use cancellation rules for how that process works in practice.
Covering Related Classes to Block Copycats
Beyond the primary class, consider classes closely tied to your product. A cosmetics brand, for example, may also need to review Class 5 (cosmetic ingredients and materials) and Class 21 (cosmetic tools and applicators) to prevent third parties from registering similar marks in adjacent categories. Manufacturers should also evaluate whether Class 35 (advertising and business management) is worth registering, since that class is frequently targeted by squatters looking to intercept a brand’s commercial activity rather than its physical product.
Common Mistakes That Weaken Protection
Over-Selecting Irrelevant Items
A frequent mistake is assuming that selecting as many items as possible automatically produces stronger protection. In practice, this approach raises filing costs, since official fees are calculated by the number of items claimed, and it can backfire during a non-use cancellation proceeding if the applicant cannot show genuine use across every item claimed. A tightly scoped, business-relevant list is generally more defensible than a sprawling one.
Using Non-Standard Item Descriptions
Some applicants submit item descriptions that are not found in the Similar Goods and Services Table. These “non-standard” items lack a uniform examination standard and are more likely to be rejected or questioned during formal review. Where a standard name is not available, applicants should reference the class heading and explanatory notes to draft a description that reasonably parallels the standard terminology, ideally with professional input before submission.
Applying Under Outdated Classification Rules
With the significant restructuring introduced by the 2026 edition, reusing a goods and services list from a prior filing without review is a real risk. Applicants should not assume that an item accepted years ago is automatically still correctly classified, and should not select items merely because they “sound similar” to what they need. Confirming the correct class under the current rules — and aligning the list with actual and reasonably anticipated business activity — is essential before submission.
Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China, Article 22(1): An applicant for trademark registration shall submit the class of goods and the designation of goods on which the trademark is to be used according to the prescribed classification of goods for trademark registration purposes.
Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China, Article 56: The exclusive right to use a registered trademark shall be limited to the trademark which has been approved for registration and to the goods in respect of which the use of the trademark has been approved.
Beijing High People’s Court, Guidelines for the Trial of Trademark Authorization and Confirmation Administrative Cases, Article 19.8: Where the goods actually used do not correspond exactly to the standard item name recorded in the Similar Goods and Services Table, but are essentially identical to, or a narrower concept within, the designated item, such use may be recognized as use of the designated goods.
Data and Trends: China’s Trademark Registration Landscape
2026 First-Half Registration Data
According to figures released by China’s State Council Information Office and reported by state media, CNIPA approved approximately 2.055 million trademark registrations in the first half of 2026 [2]. Separately, as of the end of 2025, China’s cumulative total of valid registered trademarks reached approximately 53.032 million, up 6.5 percent year over year, according to the National Intellectual Property Administration’s 2025 IP protection white paper [6]. These figures reflect one of the largest and most active trademark registers in the world, which directly affects search strategy: with tens of millions of existing marks on file, a thorough, correctly classified search is essential before any new filing.
Hot Classes and Practical Implications
Among goods classes, Class 25 (clothing, footwear, headgear), Class 3 (cosmetics and cleaning products), Class 29 (meat, fish, and processed foods), and Class 30 (staple foods) consistently see high filing volumes. Among service classes, Class 35 (advertising and business management), Class 43 (food and accommodation services), and Class 45 (legal and security services) are similarly active. In a register of this size and density, generic or loosely defined item descriptions are far more likely to collide with existing marks, which is why precise classification and a professional pre-filing search matter more in China than in many other jurisdictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many classes are there in China’s trademark classification system?
China’s system has 45 total classes: Classes 1 through 34 for goods, and Classes 35 through 45 for services. The framework is based on the WIPO Nice Classification, adapted domestically through the Similar Goods and Services Table. The 13th Edition, 2026 Version, has applied to new applications since January 1, 2026.
How do I find out which class my product belongs to?
Use the keyword search or category browse tools on China’s official trademark website, or consult a licensed trademark agency for a comprehensive search that also checks for conflicting prior registrations across related classes.
What changed in China’s trademark classification in 2026?
The 13th Edition, 2026 Version, adjusted more than 200 items. The most notable shift moved eyewear products from Class 9 to Class 10, while essential oils were reclassified by intended use and new items were added for AI, wearable health, and smart-device categories.
How many goods and services items should I select?
Prioritize items tied directly to your core business, add at least one item per similar subgroup within your primary class, and evaluate related classes to prevent gaps competitors could exploit. Avoid claiming items you cannot show genuine use for.
What counts as “similar goods” under Chinese trademark practice?
Goods are considered similar when they share function, use, production or sales channels, or target consumers, or when the relevant public would reasonably believe a specific connection exists between them. The Similar Goods and Services Table is the primary reference, though examiners may weigh additional case-specific facts.
Conclusion
Searching China’s goods and services classification correctly is not a formality — it is the foundation of your trademark’s actual protection scope. A well-researched, correctly classified application, built on the current Nice Classification edition and a clear view of your core and related business activities, gives your brand a defensible position from day one. An imprecise or outdated one can leave real gaps for competitors or squatters to exploit.
If you are preparing a China trademark filing and want a professional, up-to-date goods and services search across your relevant classes, YCIP’s trademark team can help you build an accurate, defensible classification strategy before you file. Contact YCIP or request a trademark application quote to get started.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Trademark classification rules and CNIPA practice may change over time. For guidance specific to your business, consult a qualified China IP professional.
References
- [1] “一图速览2026年上半年我国知识产权统计数据”, https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/art/2026/8/5/art_55_207590.html. Source Role: Official government statistical release. Support Status: supports. Relevance: confirms 2026 H1 IP statistics timeframe and official reporting channel.
- [2] “今年上半年我国共授权发明专利45.3万件，核准注册商标205.5万件”, https://xinwen.bjd.com.cn/content/s6a696157e4b0e45f3fd5564b.html. Source Role: State media report of CNIPA press briefing. Support Status: supports. Relevance: confirms approximately 2.055 million trademarks approved for registration in H1 2026.
- [3] “2026年1月1日起！正式启用《商标注册用商品和服务国际分类》（尼斯分类）第十三版2026文本”, https://www.sohu.com/a/973059994_121123733. Source Role: News summary of CNIPA Trademark Office notice. Support Status: supports. Relevance: confirms eyewear reclassification from Class 9 to Class 10.
- [4] “商标分类表1-45类2026最新版：商标被注册类别选择指南与尼斯分类第13版解读”, https://www.sohu.com/a/1034637781_122795720. Source Role: Practitioner analysis citing official CNIPA notice dated December 26, 2025. Support Status: supports. Relevance: confirms scope of 2026 classification changes and new item categories.
- [5] “2026年1月《尼斯分类》第十三版的变化：对商标策略与组合管理的实践影响”, https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=fb336d41-513d-4552-b099-d559bb019e12. Source Role: Legal industry publication. Support Status: partial. Relevance: corroborates related 2026 classification shifts (e.g., oral care items moving to Class 21).
- [6] “中国发明专利有效量达631.8万件 有效注册商标量达5303.2万件”, https://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2026/05-07/10617101.shtml. Source Role: State media report of CNIPA white paper. Support Status: supports. Relevance: confirms cumulative valid registered trademark total as of end of 2025.
- [7] World Intellectual Property Organization, Nice Classification, https://www.wipo.int/en/web/nice-classification. Source Role: Official international treaty body reference. Support Status: supports. Relevance: primary international framework underlying China’s domestic classification table.
- [8] China Trademark Website (Official CNIPA Trademark Office portal), https://sbj.cnipa.gov.cn/. Source Role: Official government search tool. Support Status: supports. Relevance: primary channel for conducting goods and services classification searches in China.
