China–US–Europe Patent Filing Cost Estimator
Choose a patent type and jurisdiction to get an itemized estimate of official and agent fees; the specifics are confirmed by a licensed attorney / agent.
From 20 July 2026: foreign applicants must use a US-registered practitioner
A USPTO final rule requires applicants and owners domiciled outside the US to be represented by a US-registered patent attorney or agent, covering utility, design, and all subsequent filings. Self-filing is no longer available.
Read the official USPTO rule →Partner firm founded in 2009, with nearly 30,000 patent cases handled and coverage across the U.S., Europe, Japan, Korea and other major jurisdictions.
- AI runs the first-pass assessment and cost estimate; conclusions are reviewed by a licensed attorney
- Represented by a U.S.-registered patent agent, as the rule requires (effective July 20, 2026)
- Transparent official fees, estimated from current USPTO / CNIPA schedules
- Service fees are the firm's actual quote, not a market placeholder
We don't promise an examination outcome — and that honesty is part of our professionalism
Instant cost estimate
Figures come from official fee schedules and market references — not a final quote.
Most small applicants qualify as a small entity (40% of official fees); micro-entity criteria are stricter.
The premium package provides deeper end-to-end support.
What the service fee covers
The service fee buys full-chain representation by a licensed attorney / an agent registered in the target jurisdiction to pursue patent protection — including:
- Invention mining and a pre-filing prior-art search (search completed before filing)
- Drafting the application (specification / claims)
- Filing with the USPTO / CNIPA / EPO and handling official correspondence
- Office-action (OA) responses — unlimited rounds
- Patent-layout and design-around guidance
- Enforcement consulting
- Representation signed by an agent registered in the target jurisdiction, as the rules require (a U.S.-registered patent practitioner on the US side)
Exact scope is set by the formal engagement contract.
Invention Patent Service Tiers (China / US / Europe)
Both tiers include full-chain representation and unlimited OA rounds; the enhanced package adds deeper services on top.
Full-chain representation · unlimited OA rounds
- Invention mining and a pre-filing prior-art search (search completed before filing)
- Drafting the application (specification / claims)
- Filing with the USPTO / CNIPA / EPO and handling official correspondence
- Office-action (OA) responses — unlimited rounds
- Patent-layout and design-around guidance
- Enforcement consulting
- Representation signed by an agent registered in the target jurisdiction, as the rules require (a U.S.-registered patent practitioner on the US side)
Everything in Standard + deeper services
Everything in Standard, plus:
- Deeper patent layout (multi-tier claims and surrounding-patent strategy)
- Pre-filing mock examination (a rehearsal to catch gaps — not an outcome prediction)
- In-depth invention mining
- Includes an FTO infringement-risk report
Service tiers apply to invention patents only; utility models and designs are single-tier.
Service fee · reference price · official fees extra · Service fees vary with case complexity and are reference prices; the formal engagement contract governs.
AI first-pass assessment
Describe your solution or product; the AI suggests a patent type, route, and prior-art signal. A screening view, confirmed by a licensed attorney.
Official fees at a glance
Current USPTO schedule (effective 2025-01-19), current CNIPA official fees, and current EPO schedule (effective 2026-04-01).
US official fees (filing + issue, USD)
| Type | Large | Small | Micro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility patent | $3,290 | $1,316 | $658 |
| Design patent | $2,600 | $1,040 | $520 |
Includes filing, search, examination, and issue fees; utility patents also require periodic maintenance fees.
China official fees (CNY)
| Type | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Invention | ¥3,400 |
| Utility model | ¥500 |
| Design | ¥500 |
Invention includes application and substantive examination fees; annual fees excluded. Eligible applicants may claim a fee reduction.
European official fees (EUR, EPO stage)
| Type | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Filing + search | €1,730 |
| Examination + designation | €2,730 |
| Grant/printing fee | €1,135 |
EPO-stage official fees only; post-grant validation costs in each member state are additional — see the calculator for details.
From invention to grant: key steps
Secrecy review
An invention or utility model completed in China usually requires a CNIPA foreign-filing secrecy review first; designs are exempt.
Filing route
The Paris route generally requires filing within 12 months of priority; the PCT route extends national-phase entry to 30 months, suiting multi-country plans.
How we work
AI handles the preliminary assessment and cost estimate; formal drafting, prosecution, and filing are handled and signed by a licensed attorney / US-registered practitioner.
FAQ
How much does a US patent cost?
The total is official fees plus agent service fees, varying by patent type, entity size, and claim count. Use the calculator above for an instant estimate; official fees follow the current USPTO schedule.
What is the 20 July 2026 rule — do I need a US practitioner?
A USPTO final rule requires applicants and owners domiciled outside the US to be represented by a US-registered patent attorney or agent, for filing and all subsequent papers. Applicants from China therefore must work through a US-registered practitioner.
Design vs. utility patents — which suits cross-border sellers?
A design patent protects a product's appearance, examines faster, and has no maintenance fees — common for e-commerce anti-copying; a utility patent protects the technical solution with stronger but slower, costlier protection. The choice depends on the product and can be combined.
What must I do before filing a China-made invention in the US?
An invention or utility model completed in China usually needs a CNIPA foreign-filing secrecy review first; filing abroad without it may affect the validity of the corresponding Chinese patent. Designs are exempt.
Paris Convention or PCT — how to choose?
For a few clearly-chosen countries, the Paris route (file within 12 months of priority) is more direct; for multi-country plans or when more time is needed, the PCT route (national-phase entry within 30 months) is more flexible.
What's included, and how do AI and the attorney split the work?
The platform uses AI for a preliminary assessment and cost estimate to help you gauge the right type and route; formal drafting, office-action responses, and filing are handled and signed by a licensed attorney / US-registered practitioner. Assessment results are informational only and are not legal advice or a promise of grant.
It's not cheap — is it worth it?
It's a real investment. What you're paying for is full representation by a licensed attorney / U.S.-registered agent to pursue enforceable patent protection. On a tighter budget, a design patent is faster and lower-cost as an entry point — an advisor can compare options for your specific product.
Can you guarantee the outcome?
No firm can promise the outcome of an individual case — it depends on the novelty and inventiveness of the technology itself, not on who files it. What we can do is have a licensed attorney / U.S.-registered agent involved throughout drafting and office-action responses, doing every controllable part well. Being honest about outcomes is a matter of professionalism for us.
Why not just hire a U.S. or European firm directly?
A local firm is of course an option, but communication is a real cost — you speak Chinese and so does your advisor, so discussing the invention, explaining terminology, and syncing on progress all skip a translation layer. On the US and European side, locally registered agents handle the filing, with the same professional standing. Which route you pick comes down to how much you value communication efficiency versus other factors.
How does European patent filing and validation work?
After the EPO grants a patent, the owner must validate it in each state of interest for it to take effect there. Germany, France, the UK, and Switzerland waive translation under the London Agreement, so the official validation fee is 0; Italy and Spain still require a full translation. This page's calculator gives a line-item estimate based on the states you select.
Talk through your China–US filing with a licensed patent advisor.