On 28 August 2026, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) announced revised RMB‑denominated fees for the international phase of PCT applications, which will come into force on 1 September 2026. Under this revision, international application fees and related administrative charges have been reduced.

What are the key changes?

Taking the standard international application fee as an example, the overall cost for the international phase of PCT filings has been lowered.

Which enterprises will benefit most?

This fee adjustment is favourable to: ‑ Technology enterprises developing overseas patent portfolios ‑ Brand enterprises planning market entry into Europe and the United States ‑ Innovative enterprises pursuing global patent protection ‑ Export‑oriented Chinese enterprises with existing domestic patents seeking overseas coverage

Applicants intending to file PCT applications in the coming months may take advantage of the new fee schedule for submissions made on or after 1 September.

It should be noted that the cost reduction applies only to PCT international‑phase fees. Separate national‑stage fees, as stipulated by respective jurisdictions, will still be required when entering countries such as the United States, Europe and Japan.

Conclusion: Lower costs for patent globalisation

While the PCT fee update is a tariff adjustment in form, it represents further optimisation of costs for enterprises undertaking international patent strategy.

For businesses expanding into overseas markets, establishing patent protection early creates competitive advantages for brand globalisation and technology rivalry. With the new rules taking effect on 1 September, barriers to PCT filing are further reduced, creating opportunities for more innovative firms to accelerate worldwide intellectual property deployment.