# Trademark registration in Malawi

> Trademarks in Malawi are registered with the Trademarks Office, Department of the Registrar General, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (RGD); the official trademark application fee is MWK 50,000 for one class, and third parties can oppose within 30 days from the date of advertisement (Trademarks Act 2018, s. A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed. Malawi can be designated through the Madrid System.

Source page: https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/malawi
Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-11

## Key facts
- **Trademark office:** Trademarks Office, Department of the Registrar General, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (RGD)
- **Official fee:** MWK 50,000 — Trademark application, one class
- **Madrid Protocol:** Member since 2018
- **Opposition period:** 30 days from the date of advertisement (Trademarks Act 2018, s
- **Protection:** 10 years from the filing date, renewable
- **Foreign applicants:** Applicants without residence or a principal place of business in Malawi must be represented by a trademark agent reside…

## Official links
- Trademark office: https://www.registrargeneral.gov.mw/
- Law: Trademarks Act, 2018 (Act No. 2 of 2018) — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/18339
- Law: Trade Marks Regulations (Cap. 49:01, G.N. 237/1965, as amended) — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/9333

## Official fees (as of 2020-08)
- Trademark application, one class: MWK 50,000 — foreign applicants: USD 120
- Each subsequent class: MWK 5,000 — foreign applicants: USD 100
- Series of trademarks, one class: MWK 50,000 — foreign applicants: USD 120; each subsequent class MWK 25,000 / USD 100
- Certification trademark, one class: MWK 75,000 — foreign applicants: USD 200
- Renewal at expiry of last registration: MWK 50,000 — foreign applicants: USD 100

## Steps
1. Applicants based outside Malawi appoint a Malawi-resident trademark agent (legal practitioner or admitted trademark agent).
2. File a signed application with the Trademarks Office giving the applicant's details, a representation of the mark, the goods or services, and a declaration of use or intention to use.
3. The Registrar accepts, conditionally accepts or refuses the application; the Act requires a decision within 30 days.
4. After the publication fee is paid, the accepted application is advertised.
5. Any person may oppose within 30 days of the advertisement; the applicant then has 30 days to file a counter-statement.
6. If unopposed, the mark is registered with effect from the filing date.

- **Examination:** The Registrar of Trademarks examines the application and must decide to accept, accept with conditions, or refuse within 30 days (Trademarks Act 2018, s. 7(5)).
- **Publication:** Accepted applications are advertised after payment of the prescribed fee; the Registrar must publish a Trademarks Journal at least once a month (Trademarks Act 2018, s. 80(1)).
- **Opposition:** 30 days from the date of advertisement (Trademarks Act 2018, s. 10(1))
- **Language:** English
- **Use requirement:** a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.

## Good to know
- The Registrar General's fee schedule (revised 13 August 2020) sets separate US-dollar fees for foreign applicants, for example USD 120 for an application in one class.
- Malawi can be designated through the Madrid Protocol (in force since 25 December 2018) and through ARIPO under the Banjul Protocol; the 2018 Act has dedicated schedules for both routes.
- ARIPO applications can be filed at the Malawi Trademarks Office, which must forward them to ARIPO within 30 days.
- Every application must include a declaration of use or intention to use the mark.
- A mark not used for a continuous period of five years after registration can be removed from the register on application by any interested person.

## FAQ
### How much does it cost to register a trademark in Malawi?
The Registrar General's schedule (revised August 2020) lists MWK 50,000 for an application in one class and MWK 5,000 for each further class; foreign applicants pay USD 120 and USD 100. Renewal costs MWK 50,000 (USD 100 for foreign applicants).

### Is Malawi part of the Madrid Protocol?
Yes. The Madrid Protocol has been in force for Malawi since 25 December 2018.

### How long is the trademark opposition period in Malawi?
Thirty days from the date the application is advertised, under s. 10(1) of the Trademarks Act, 2018.

### How long does a trademark registration last in Malawi?
Ten years, counted from the filing date, renewable for further 10-year periods.

### Do foreign applicants need a local agent to register a trademark in Malawi?
Yes. Applicants without a residence or principal place of business in Malawi must act through a Malawi-resident trademark agent.

### Can I register a trademark in Malawi through ARIPO?
Yes. Malawi is covered by the ARIPO Banjul Protocol route, and the Trademarks Act, 2018 sets out how ARIPO registrations take effect in Malawi.

## Sources
- Registrar General – Revised fees (13 August 2020): https://registrargeneral.gov.mw/fees.html
- WIPO Lex – Malawi Trademarks Act, 2018: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/18339
- WIPO Lex – Malawi Trade Marks Regulations: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/9333
- WIPO Lex – Malawi Trade Marks Regulations text: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text/496652
- WIPO Lex – Malawi profile: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/members/profile/MW
- WIPO – Malawi IP office contact: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/country-profiles/contact?code=mw
- Department of the Registrar General: https://www.registrargeneral.gov.mw/
- WIPO Lex – Madrid Protocol contracting parties: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/treaties/ShowResults?search_what=C&treaty_id=8
- FAOLEX – Malawi Trademarks Act, 2018 (Act No. 2 of 2018): https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/mlw219486.pdf

Need a firm that files in Malawi? Find one at https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/malawi (TrademarksHub lists IP firms by country; featured placements are paid and labelled).
General information, not legal advice.