UK trade mark costs: choosing classes
A standard UK online trade mark application costs £205 including one class, plus £60 for each additional class. Choose classes and specific terms that match your planned goods or services, then budget professional advice separately. Cambridge China Bridge sources branded products with its own staff in China.
Build the official application fee budget
The IPO’s published fee schedule lists the online application fee. Its classification guidance confirms that £205 includes one class and each additional class costs £60. Start with the base fee and add the extra class fee for every additional class your product list needs. Recheck the published schedule before paying.
You pay by class, rather than by the number of terms selected within it. The IPO’s published example is £325 for an online application covering three classes. Keep the official application fee as a separate line in your launch budget.
Choose goods and services before choosing classes
Write down what will carry your brand: the products, their intended use and any services you will offer under the same name. Search these descriptions in the IPO’s class search service. A class is a broad category; the terms identify the specific goods or services. Protection depends on the classes and terms selected.
For example, the IPO places an own-brand clothing line in class 25. Do not assume that a factory’s catalogue heading is the right application wording. Compare your actual specification with the available terms, and flag uncertain descriptions for advice. Our private-label manufacturing guide helps you define what you are asking the factory to supply.
Include realistic expansion plans
The IPO advises choosing only classes and terms relevant to your business plans for the next 5 years. Review planned ranges alongside your current products. Separate a funded or developed expansion from a category you might consider someday.
You cannot add extra goods or services after applying. Resolve unclear product descriptions before submitting, rather than relying on a later edit. Keep a worksheet connecting each selected term to a current product or a concrete launch plan, with the corresponding class and fee.
Check the name and separate advice costs
Before applying, search the trade marks database for identical or similar registered marks. If you find a similar mark, the IPO advises getting professional advice about your options. Do this before committing to branded packaging or asking a factory to print the production run.
A registered trade mark attorney charges separately for their services. Ask for a written scope covering the name review, class selection, filing and any later responses, with official fees shown separately. Keep funds available for advice if a problem arises. Filing fees should not be your entire brand-launch budget.
Turn the application plan into a sourcing brief
Keep the proposed mark, selected terms, product specification and packaging artwork together. Before approving branded samples, check that the spelling and product descriptions match across the sourcing brief and application plan. Keep sample revisions, artwork changes and professional advice as separate budget items.
Our IP and tooling guide covers the wider sourcing questions. Use it alongside this fee worksheet rather than treating the application as the whole preparation exercise. Cambridge China Bridge’s China-based staff can work from your product brief while you settle the application wording with your adviser.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a UK trade mark application cost?
A standard online application costs £205 including one class, plus £60 for each additional class. These are official application fees; budget any professional advice separately.
Do more product terms increase the application fee?
The IPO charges by class, not by the number of terms within a class. Choose terms that describe your planned goods or services rather than adding unrelated wording.
Which trade mark class should I choose for my imports?
Start with the actual goods and their intended use, then search the IPO’s class service. Select specific terms as well as classes. Importing alone does not describe the products carrying your brand.
Can I add products to my trade mark application later?
You cannot add extra goods or services after applying. Review realistic expansion plans before filing and get advice if your product descriptions or classes are unclear.