PRACTICAL GUIDE · PCT
Preparing for the PCT national phase in China
A PCT international application is a route toward seeking protection in designated jurisdictions. It is not itself a granted China patent. China entry requires its own procedural review and timely action.
Do not rely on a generic deadline calculator. National-phase dates depend on the earliest priority claim and applicable office rules. Ask the responsible patent professional to verify the deadline against the current WIPO China national chapter ↗ and your actual documents.
Collect the international application record
- PCT application number, international filing date and publication number.
- Every priority application and the earliest claimed priority date.
- Applicant and inventor details, plus any changes after international filing.
- International search and written-opinion materials, if available.
- The specification, claims, abstract and drawings in the filed language.
Plan China-specific work early
The China national-phase chapter in WIPO’s PCT Applicant’s Guide identifies the current entry requirements and procedure. Discuss the Chinese translation, applicant documents, power or representation requirements, fees and any desired amendments well before the date. An incomplete first brief can delay meaningful advice even when the international application number is known.
Clarify scope and responsibility
Ask who will verify dates, prepare and review the translation, submit the China entry and manage later office notices. The professional handling party and any separate translation, official-fee and prosecution costs should be clear before you authorise work. Do not send confidential invention files through the general enquiry form; arrange a suitable secure handoff with the responsible professional.
Prepare your first brief ↗ Contact us about PCT entry →
Sources and review boundary
Official references: WIPO PCT Applicant’s Guide and the China national chapter. Checked 10 October 2026. WIPO updates its guide frequently; this article intentionally does not state a conclusive case deadline.