For trademark registration purpose, the goods and services are categorized into different groups and such groups are called Classes. There are 45 Classes altogether.
In China, the classification of goods and services is set out in a List of Similar Goods and Services (“China Classification“), which is pretty much based on the Nice Classification (“International Class“) with certain additional items which are only available in China. For most foreign clients, it should be sufficient to register their trademarks in China based on the International Class.
Nice Classification
The Nice Classification (NCL), established by the Nice Agreement (1957), is an international classification of goods and services applied for the registration of marks. The 2017 version of the eleventh edition of the NCL is the current version which came into force on January 1, 2017.
For the details of the latest Nice Classification, please visit the following website:
http://web2.wipo.int/classifications/nice/nicepub/en/fr/edition-20160101/taxonomy/?mode=flat
The headings of all 45 Classes are as follows:
| Class | List of terms |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; Unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics; Manures; Fire extinguishing compositions; Tempering and soldering preparations; Chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs; Tanning substances; Adhesives used in industry |
| 2 | Paints, varnishes, lacquers; Preservatives against rust and against deterioration of wood; Colorants; Mordants; Raw natural resins; Metals in foil and powder form for use in painting, decorating, printing and art |
| 3 | Bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; Cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations; Soaps; Perfumery, essential oils, cosmetics, hair lotions; Dentifrices |
| 4 | Industrial oils and greases; Lubricants; Dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions; Fuels (including motor spirit) and illuminants; Candles and wicks for lighting |
| 5 | Pharmaceuticals, medical and veterinary preparations; Sanitary preparations for medical purposes; Dietetic food and substances adapted for medical or veterinary use, food for babies; Dietary supplements for humans and animals; Plasters, materials for dressings; Material for stopping teeth, dental wax; Disinfectants; Preparations for destroying vermin; Fungicides, herbicides |
| 6 | Common metals and their alloys; Metal building materials; Transportable buildings of metal; Materials of metal for railway tracks; Non-electric cables and wires of common metal; Ironmongery, small items of metal hardware; Pipes and tubes of metal; Safes; Ores |
| 7 | Machines and machine tools; Motors and engines [except for land vehicles]; Machine coupling and transmission components [except for land vehicles]; Agricultural implements other than hand-operated; Incubators for eggs; Automatic vending machines |
| 8 | Hand tools and implements [hand-operated]; Cutlery; Side arms; Razors |
| 9 | Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking [supervision], life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; Apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; Apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; Magnetic data carriers, recording discs; Compact discs, DVDs and other digital recording media; Mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; Cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment, computers; Computer software; Fire-extinguishing apparatus |
| 10 | Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments; Artificial limbs, eyes and teeth; Orthopedic articles; Suture materials |
| 11 | Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes |
| 12 | Vehicles; Apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water |
| 13 | Firearms; Ammunition and projectiles; Explosives; Fireworks |
| 14 | Precious metals and their alloys; Jewellery, precious stones; Horological and chronometric instruments |
| 15 | Musical instruments |
| 16 | Paper and cardboard; Printed matter; Bookbinding material; Photographs; Stationery; Adhesives for stationery or household purposes; Artists’ materials; Paintbrushes; Typewriters and office requisites [except furniture]; Instructional and teaching material [except apparatus]; Plastic materials for packaging; Printers’ type; Printing blocks |
| 17 | Unprocessed and semi-processed rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and substitutes for all these materials; Plastics in extruded form for use in manufacture; Packing, stopping and insulating materials; Flexible pipes, not of metal |
| 18 | Leather and imitations of leather; Animal skins, hides; Trunks and travelling bags; Umbrellas and parasols; Walking sticks; Whips, harness and saddlery |
| 19 | Building materials [non-metallic]; Non-metallic rigid pipes for building; Asphalt, pitch and bitumen; Non-metallic transportable buildings; Monuments, not of metal |
| 20 | Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; Unworked or semi-worked bone, horn, ivory, whalebone or mother-of-pearl; Shells; Meerschaum; Yellow amber |
| 21 | Household or kitchen utensils and containers; Combs and sponges; Brushes [except paintbrushes]; Brush-making materials; Articles for cleaning purposes; Steelwool; Unworked or semi-worked glass [except glass used in building]; Glassware, porcelain and earthenware |
| 22 | Ropes and string; Padding and stuffing materials [except of paper, cardboard, rubber or plastics]; Raw fibrous textile materials; Tents, awnings and tarpaulins; Nets; Sails; Sacks |
| 23 | Yarns and threads, for textile use |
| 24 | Textiles and substitutes for textiles; Bed covers; Table covers |
| 25 | Clothing, footwear, headgear |
| 26 | Lace and embroidery, ribbons and braid; Buttons, hooks and eyes, pins and needles; Artificial flowers |
| 27 | Carpets, rugs, mats and matting, linoleum and other materials for covering existing floors; Wall hangings [non-textile] |
| 28 | Games and playthings; Gymnastic and sporting articles; Decorations for Christmas trees |
| 29 | Meat, fish, poultry and game; Meat extracts; Preserved, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; Jellies, jams, compotes; Eggs; Milk and milk products; Edible oils and fats |
| 30 | Coffee, tea, cocoa and artificial coffee; Rice; Tapioca and sago; Flour and preparations made from cereals; Bread, pastries and confectionery; Edible ices; Sugar, honey, treacle; Yeast, baking-powder; Salt; Mustard; Vinegar, sauces [condiments]; Spices; Ice |
| 31 | Agricultural, horticultural and forestry products; Live animals; Fresh fruits and vegetables; Natural plants and flowers; Foodstuffs for animals; Malt; Raw and unprocessed grains and seeds |
| 32 | Beers; Mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic beverages; Fruit beverages and fruit juices; Syrups and other preparations for making beverages |
| 33 | Alcoholic beverages [except beers] |
| 34 | Tobacco; Smokers’ articles; Matches |
| 35 | Advertising; Business management; Business administration; Office functions |
| 36 | Insurance; Financial affairs; Monetary affairs; Real estate affairs |
| 37 | Building construction; Repair; Installation services |
| 38 | Telecommunications |
| 39 | Transport; Packaging and storage of goods; Travel arrangement |
| 40 | Treatment of materials |
| 41 | Education; Providing of training; Entertainment; Sporting and cultural activities |
| 42 | Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; Industrial analysis and research services; Design and development of computer hardware and software |
| 43 | Services for providing food and drink; Temporary accommodation |
| 44 | Medical services; Veterinary services; Hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals; Agriculture, horticulture and forestry services |
| 45 | Legal services; Security services for the protection of property and individuals; Personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals |