Executive Summary
It costs $39 to file a trademark in China and $1,770 in the United Arab Emirates — a 45:1 ratio for the same legal right.
But the cheapest office to file in is rarely the cheapest office to own a mark in. A US trademark that costs $350 to file will cost $2,650–$5,350 to maintain over a decade once attorney fees, maintenance declarations, and renewals are included. A UK trademark that costs $228 to file runs $1,150–$2,100 over the same period — less than half the US cost.
This report compares the full cost of trademark protection across 15 major offices — covering official fees, registration timelines, hidden costs, and total cost of ownership — to provide practitioners with a single reference for international filing decisions.
Key Findings
- Cheapest to file: China ($39/class), India ($48/class for startups), Australia ($175/class)
- Most expensive to file: UAE ($1,770/class), EUIPO ($987/class — but covers 27 countries), Canada ($357/class)
- Fastest to register: Germany (3–4 months), EUIPO (4–6 months), UK (4–6 months)
- Slowest to register: Brazil (24–36 months), India (18–24 months), Canada (12–18 months)
- Best value per country: EUIPO at approximately $37 per member state is the most cost-efficient multi-country protection available
- Biggest 2025 fee change: USPTO eliminated the two-tier system, set a $350 base with new surcharges, and raised renewals. UKIPO announced its first increase since 1998 (effective April 2026)
- The hidden cost gap: Local agent requirements, translation costs, and legalization can add $200–$2,000+ per filing in jurisdictions like China, Japan, Brazil, and the UAE
The 10-Year Cost of Ownership
The most important number in trademark budgeting is not the filing fee — it is the total cost of maintaining a registration over its initial 10-year term. This figure includes filing, prosecution (assuming one office action on average), local agent fees for foreign filers, renewal, and any mandatory maintenance declarations.
Estimated 10-Year Total Cost of Ownership (1 Class, Word Mark)
| Office | Gov't Filing | Agent/Attorney | Avg Prosecution | Renewal/Maintenance | 10-Year Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India (startup) | $48 | $200–500 | $200–400 | $55 | $500–$1,000 |
| China | $39 | $400–800 | $300–600 | $65 | $800–$1,500 |
| United Kingdom | $228 | $400–1,000 | $250–600 | $270 | $1,150–$2,100 |
| South Korea | $170 | $500–1,000 | $300–600 | $200 | $1,170–$1,970 |
| Brazil | $168 | $400–800 | $300–600 | $190 | $1,060–$1,760 |
| Australia | $175 | $500–1,000 | $300–600 | $280 | $1,255–$2,055 |
| France | $221 | $400–900 | $250–500 | $337 | $1,208–$1,958 |
| Germany | $337 | $500–1,200 | $300–700 | $870 | $2,007–$3,107 |
| Japan | $283 | $800–1,500 | $500–1,000 | $275 | $1,858–$3,058 |
| Mexico | $176 | $400–800 | $250–500 | $139 | $965–$1,615 |
| Canada | $357 | $500–1,500 | $300–800 | $421 | $1,578–$3,078 |
| EUIPO (27 states) | $987 | $500–1,500 | $300–800 | $987 | $2,774–$4,274 |
| Singapore | $219 | $500–1,000 | $300–600 | $376 | $1,395–$2,195 |
| United States | $350 | $800–2,500 | $500–1,500 | $1,000 | $2,650–$5,350 |
| UAE | $1,770 | $500–1,500 | $300–800 | $1,361 | $3,931–$5,431 |
Estimates based on official fee schedules as of March 2026, typical attorney fee ranges from industry surveys, and one office action prosecution assumption. Exchange rates as of March 25, 2026. Attorney fees vary by firm, complexity, and jurisdiction.
Estimated 10-Year Trademark Cost of Ownership, Midpoint (USD, 1 Class)
The EUIPO figure deserves special attention. At approximately $3,500 over 10 years, the EUIPO appears expensive — but it provides protection across all 27 EU member states. That works out to roughly $130 per country over a decade, making the EUIPO by far the most cost-efficient multi-country trademark protection available.
The United States is the second-most expensive major jurisdiction, driven not by the filing fee ($350) but by attorney costs ($800–$2,500), mandatory Section 8 and Section 15 declarations between years 5–6, and the combined Section 8+9 renewal. The total maintenance burden for a US mark significantly exceeds the initial filing cost.
Filing Fees: The Sticker Price
Official filing fees are only the starting point, but they vary dramatically. The following table compares the government-assessed fee for a standard single-class electronic word mark application.
Official Filing Fees by Office (1 Class, Electronic, Standard Applicant)
| Office | Local Fee | USD Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| China (CNIPA) | CNY 270 | $39 | +CNY 27 per item beyond 10 |
| India (startup) | INR 4,500 | $48 | 50% DPIIT discount |
| India (standard) | INR 9,000 | $95 | Standard entity rate |
| Mexico (IMPI) | MXN 3,127 | $176 | Single-class only |
| South Korea (KIPO) | KRW 52,000 | $35 | Filing only; +$135 registration |
| Brazil (INPI) | BRL 880 | $168 | New consolidated fee (Sep 2025) |
| Australia | AUD 250 | $175 | Picklist terms; $280 custom |
| France (INPI) | EUR 190 | $221 | +EUR 40 per additional class |
| United Kingdom (UKIPO) | GBP 170 | $228 | Rising to GBP 205 (Apr 2026) |
| Singapore (IPOS) | SGD 280 | $219 | Pre-approved terms; $321 custom |
| Japan (JPO) | JPY 12,000 | $76 | Filing only; +$207 registration |
| Germany (DPMA) | EUR 290 | $337 | Covers up to 3 classes |
| United States (USPTO) | $350 | $350 | Base fee; surcharges possible |
| Canada (CIPO) | CAD 491 | $357 | Annual CPI adjustment |
| EUIPO | EUR 850 | $987 | Covers all 27 EU states |
| UAE | AED 6,500 | $1,770 | Application + publication + registration |
All fees reflect the most current published schedule as of March 2026. Exchange rates as of March 25, 2026.
Official Trademark Filing Fee by Office (USD, 1 Class, Electronic)
Recent Fee Changes (2025–2026)
The trademark fee landscape shifted significantly in 2025:
| Office | Change | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| USPTO | Eliminated TEAS Plus/Standard two-tier system; single $350 base; new surcharges for non-standard descriptions; TTAB opposition fee raised to $600/class | January 18, 2025 |
| UKIPO | First increase since 1998; average 25% rise (GBP 170 → GBP 205 for first class) | April 1, 2026 |
| Brazil (INPI) | Consolidated filing + registration into single upfront payment; ~24% average adjustment | September 20, 2025 |
| Canada (CIPO) | Annual CPI adjustment: 4.4% (2025), 2.7% (2026); ended accelerated examination | January 1, 2025/2026 |
| Singapore (IPOS) | Custom specification fee increased; new renewal structure | September 1, 2025 |
| UAE | New services (expedited 1-day examination: AED 2,250); 50% SME discount introduced | November 14, 2025 |
| South Korea (KIPO) | Opposition period reduced from 2 months to 30 days | July 22, 2025 |
The USPTO change is the most consequential. The elimination of the TEAS Plus option ($250) forces all filers into the $350 base tier, with additional surcharges of $200/class for custom goods/services descriptions and $100/class for Intent-to-Use filings. Combined with renewal increases (Section 8 declaration: $225 → $325; Section 9 renewal: $300 → $325), the total cost of US trademark ownership rose substantially.
The Speed Index: Registration Timelines
Registration speed matters for brand launches, market entry, and enforcement readiness. The gap between the fastest and slowest offices spans nearly an order of magnitude.
Average Registration Timeline (No Opposition)
| Office | First Action | Total to Registration | Fast Track Available? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany (DPMA) | Weeks | 3–4 months | Yes (EUR 200) |
| EUIPO | 4 days (Fast Track) | 4–6 months | Yes (no extra fee) |
| France (INPI) | 3–6 weeks | 4–5 months | No |
| United Kingdom | 2–4 weeks | 4–6 months | No |
| Mexico (IMPI) | Weeks | 5–7 months | No |
| Australia | 3–4 months | 7–8 months | Yes |
| Japan (JPO) | 5–7 months | 7–8 months | Yes (no extra fee) |
| China (CNIPA) | 4–7 months | 9–12 months | Yes (20 days, new 2025) |
| United States (USPTO) | 5–6 months | 10–12 months | Very limited |
| Singapore (IPOS) | 4 months | 9–12 months | Yes (3–6 weeks) |
| South Korea (KIPO) | 10–12 months | 12–14 months | Yes (2–3 months) |
| Canada (CIPO) | 7–12 months | 12–18 months | No (ended 2025) |
| India | ~18 months | 18–24 months | Yes (INR 20,000+) |
| Brazil (INPI) | 8–12 months | 24–36 months | No |
Timelines are approximate averages for standard word mark applications with no objections or oppositions, based on official published data and practitioner reports as of early 2026.
Average Months to Registration (No Opposition)
The fastest offices — Germany, EUIPO, France, UK — can deliver a registration in under 6 months. Brazil, at the other extreme, still carries a backlog of 24–36 months despite significant improvements since its 2019–2021 backlog elimination program. India's pendency, which was under 30 days during 2017–2019, has stretched to approximately 18 months as filing volume has outpaced examiner capacity.
For time-sensitive brand launches, the speed disparity is strategically consequential. A brand filing simultaneously in Germany and Brazil may wait 20 to 30+ months longer for Brazilian registration than German.
The Hidden Cost Dimension
The official filing fee is often the smallest component of the total cost. Three categories of hidden costs can multiply the effective price: local agent requirements, translations, and legalization.
Local Agent Requirements
Most major offices require foreign applicants to engage a locally licensed attorney or agent. The notable exceptions — the UK, Canada, and Australia — allow direct filing by foreign applicants.
| Requirement | Offices |
|---|---|
| Local agent mandatory for foreign filers | China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, UAE, Mexico |
| EEA representative required for non-EEA filers | EUIPO |
| US-licensed attorney required for foreign filers | United States (since August 2019) |
| No local agent required | United Kingdom, Canada, Australia |
Agent fees typically range from $200–$500 per filing in lower-cost markets (India, China) to $800–$2,500 in higher-cost markets (US, Japan, UAE). For a brand filing in 5 jurisdictions, agent costs alone can exceed $5,000.
Translation Requirements
| Office | Filing Language | Translation Impact |
|---|---|---|
| China (CNIPA) | Chinese (Mandarin) | All documents in Chinese; $100–$300 |
| Japan (JPO) | Japanese | All documents including evidence; $200–$500 |
| South Korea (KIPO) | Korean | All documents; $150–$400 |
| Brazil (INPI) | Portuguese | $100–$300 |
| UAE | Arabic | Arabic translation required; $200–$500 |
| Mexico (IMPI) | Spanish | $100–$200 |
| France (INPI) | French | $100–$200 |
| India | English | No translation needed for English-language filings |
| US, UK, Australia, Canada | English | No translation needed for English-language filings |
| EUIPO | Any EU language + second from EN/FR/DE/ES/IT | Minimal cost |
Legalization and Notarization
A handful of jurisdictions still require notarized and legalized powers of attorney, adding $200–$1,000+ in processing costs and weeks of delay:
- UAE: Full legalization chain (notarization + consular legalization or apostille)
- Brazil: Notarized and apostilled POA
- China: Notarized POA (simplified in recent years but still required)
- Mexico: Notarized POA may be required
- US, UK, EU, Japan, Korea, Australia, Canada, India: Simple signed POA or no POA required
Madrid Protocol vs. Direct Filing
The Madrid System provides a single-application route to trademark protection in over 130 countries. But it is not always the optimal choice.
When Madrid Wins
Madrid is most cost-effective for filing in 3+ countries simultaneously. The administrative simplicity — one application, one language, one set of fees, centralized renewal — produces savings that compound with each additional designation.
Cost Comparison: 5-Country Filing (US + EU + UK + China + Japan), 1 Class
| Route | Government Fees | Agent Costs | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct national filing | ~$2,600 | ~$6,000–$12,000 | $8,600–$14,600 |
| Madrid Protocol | ~$3,800 | ~$3,000–$6,000 | $6,800–$9,800 |
| Savings via Madrid | — | — | ~20–35% |
The savings come primarily from reduced agent costs (Madrid designations often do not require a local agent at the filing stage) and administrative efficiency.
When Direct Filing Wins
Direct filing is preferable when:
- Filing in 1–2 countries only — Madrid's basic fee (CHF 653) makes it uneconomical for single-country filings
- Speed is critical — Efficient national offices (EUIPO, UKIPO, DPMA) often process direct filings faster than Madrid designations
- Avoiding central attack risk — If the home registration is cancelled or restricted within 5 years, all Madrid designations fall ("central attack"). Direct registrations are independent
Madrid Protocol Individual Designation Fees
| Designated Office | 1st Class (CHF) | Additional (CHF) | 1st Class (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | 1,420 | 1,420 | $1,802 |
| EUIPO | 789 | 48/144 | $1,001 |
| United States | 530 | 530 | $672 |
| Canada | 282 | 86 | $358 |
| Japan | 266 | 250 | $337 |
| Singapore | 265 | 265 | $336 |
| Brazil | 251 | 251 | $318 |
| China | 249 | 125 | $316 |
| Australia | 232 | 232 | $294 |
| United Kingdom | 202 | 56 | $256 |
| South Korea | 167 | 167 | $212 |
| Mexico | 132 | 132 | $168 |
| India | 93 | 93 | $118 |
Source: WIPO Schedule of Individual Fees Under the Madrid Protocol. Basic fee (CHF 653 for black-and-white marks) is additional. Fees subject to periodic revision; verify at wipo.int/madrid/en/fees/calculator.jsp.
Madrid Protocol Individual Designation Fee by Office (USD, 1st Class)
Strategic Filing Guide
The Decision Framework
For practitioners advising on international trademark strategy, three variables drive the filing decision: budget, urgency, and geographic scope.
Budget-constrained filing (startup/SME):
- File domestically first (cheapest option in most cases)
- Use the EUIPO for pan-European protection ($987 for 27 countries)
- Leverage startup discounts where available: India (50% off), UAE (50% off for registered SMEs), EUIPO SME Fund (75% reimbursement on EU marks)
- Consider Madrid only if filing in 3+ countries
Speed-critical filing (product launch):
- Prioritize Germany (3–4 months), EUIPO Fast Track (4–6 months), or UK (4–6 months)
- Avoid Brazil, India, and Canada for time-sensitive launches
- Japan offers accelerated examination (2 months) at no extra cost for applicants demonstrating use or preparation to use
Maximum coverage (enterprise portfolio):
- Madrid Protocol for 5+ countries simultaneously (20–35% savings vs. direct)
- File directly in top 1–2 priority markets for speed, Madrid for the rest
- Audit for Nice Classification 2026 updates — AIaaS (Class 42) and reclassified goods may affect existing portfolios
Worked Example: Filing "NovaBrew" (Class 30) in 5 Countries
A fictional coffee brand filing in the US, EU, UK, China, and Japan:
| Route | US | EU | UK | China | Japan | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct filing (gov't fees) | $350 | $987 | $228 | $39 | $283 | $1,887 |
| Direct (+ agents) | +$1,500 | +$800 | +$500 | +$500 | +$1,000 | $6,187 |
| Madrid (WIPO + designation fees) | $672 | $1,001 | $256 | $316 | $337 | $3,411* |
| Madrid (+ home office + agent) | — | — | — | — | — | ~$4,311 |
Madrid total includes CHF 653 basic fee ($829) plus individual designation fees ($2,582). Home office transmission fee ($300) and initial attorney (~$600) additional.
Savings via Madrid: ~$1,876 (30%) for this 5-country scenario. The savings increase with each additional country.
SME Support Programs
Several offices and programs subsidize trademark filing costs:
| Program | Benefit | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| EUIPO SME Fund | 75% reimbursement on EU filing fees (up to EUR 700) | EU-established SMEs |
| India DPIIT discount | 50% fee reduction (INR 4,500 vs 9,000/class) | DPIIT-recognized startups |
| UAE SME discount | 50% off all trademark fees | Registered UAE SMEs |
| Brazil (INPI) | Reduced fees for micro-enterprises | Micro-enterprises |
| Singapore grants | Government grants for IP costs | Eligible businesses |
The EUIPO SME Fund is the largest program globally, having distributed approximately EUR 68 million to over 100,000 SMEs since 2021. Approximately 80% of applicants are registering IP for the first time.
Key Takeaways
The data in this report points to three conclusions for international trademark strategy:
The sticker price is misleading. China's $39 filing fee and India's $48 startup rate are the lowest in the world — but attorney requirements, translation costs, and prosecution complexity can multiply the effective price by 10x or more. The total cost of ownership, not the filing fee, should drive jurisdiction selection.
Speed and cost are not correlated. Germany offers both fast registration (3–4 months) and moderate fees ($337 for up to 3 classes). The UAE charges the highest fees ($1,770) but delivers among the fastest timelines. Brazil is neither fast nor expensive. No single dimension — cost, speed, or complexity — determines which office is best.
The EUIPO is the most efficient trademark protection on the planet. At approximately $130 per country over a decade, no other filing mechanism delivers comparable geographic coverage for the cost. For any brand with pan-European ambitions, the EUIPO should be the first filing, not an afterthought — and the SME Fund makes it even more accessible.
Methodology and Sources
This report compares trademark costs and timelines across 15 offices based on officially published fee schedules and practitioner-reported timelines as of March 2026.
Official fee sources:
- USPTO Fee Schedule & 2025 Fee Changes
- EUIPO Fees and Payments
- UKIPO Trade Mark Fees (including April 2026 changes)
- CNIPA Official Fees — supplemented by Yucheng IP Law
- IP India Forms and Fees
- JPO Schedule of Fees
- KIPO Official Fees
- Brazil INPI Fee Changes 2025
- CIPO Fees for Trademarks
- IP Australia Trade Mark Fees
- DPMA Trade Mark Fees
- INPI France Fees
- IPOS Singapore Fees
- UAE Ministry of Economy — supplemented by Rouse analysis
- IMPI Mexico via ICLG
Madrid Protocol fees:
Timeline and pendency data:
- USPTO Trademark Dashboard
- EUIPO 2024 Annual Activity Report
- Office-specific practitioner reports as cited in text
SME programs:
Important notes:
Exchange rates used throughout are from March 25, 2026. Currency fluctuations, particularly in BRL, INR, and KRW, can shift USD equivalents by 10–15% over a six-month period. Fee schedules are subject to change without advance notice; readers should verify current fees with the relevant office before filing.
Attorney fee estimates reflect typical ranges from international IP firm surveys and should be treated as indicative, not definitive. Actual costs vary by firm, matter complexity, and jurisdiction-specific practice norms.
The 10-Year Total Cost of Ownership estimates include: official filing fees, estimated attorney/agent fees for initial filing, one round of prosecution (responding to an office action), and the first renewal or mandatory maintenance declaration. They do not include opposition proceedings, portfolio management, monitoring, or enforcement costs.
Analysis supported by Signa's global trademark intelligence platform, which tracks filing fees, registration timelines, and prosecution data across 200+ jurisdictions worldwide.