What is the deadline to enter the PCT national phase in China?
The standard China national-phase deadline is 30 months from the priority date. A late-entry mechanism up to 32 months may be available with the prescribed surcharge, but it should not be treated as the planned deadline.
Why it matters
Put the question in the right procedure and timeline
National-phase rights depend on a timely and internally consistent China filing. Translation choices, priority data and amendments should be checked before submission, not after an office action exposes the problem.
What changes the answer
What can change the answer
Calculate from the verified PCT priority record and instruct before translation lead time is consumed. If 30 months has passed, confirm eligibility and fees immediately.
Do not act on the summary alone for a live matter. An official record, service date, document version, party identity or transitional rule can change the conclusion.
What to prepare
Prepare these three points
- 01
The PCT application number, international filing date and priority details.
- 02
The latest official record, notice or filing document for this issue.
- 03
A timeline of key events, the earliest known deadline and the result you need.
Next step
Apply the answer to your actual record
Calculate the China deadline from the official PCT record.
Check whether this fact changes the answer: Calculate from the verified PCT priority record and instruct before translation lead time is consumed. If 30 months has passed, confirm eligibility and fees immediately.
Run names, priorities, sequence listings and claims through a final consistency check.
Official sources
Official sources used for this article
These links lead to original CNIPA, WIPO or Supreme People's Court materials. Check the latest text, effective date and matter-specific procedure when acting.
- WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide
- WIPO PCT National Phase information
- CNIPA China national-phase entry guide
Prepared and checked by Zhiquan IP against the listed primary materials. Cross-check the organization and contact details on the Credentials page.