Trademark registration in South AfricaQuick answer
Trademarks in South Africa are registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC); the official application to register a trade mark fee is ZAR 590 per class, and third parties can oppose within 3 months from advertisement in the Patent Journal. A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed. South Africa is not in the Madrid System, so a national filing is needed.
Checked against official sources on 11 October 2026 · see sources
- Office
- CIPC
- Official fee
- ZAR 590 / class
- Madrid Protocol
- Not a member
- Opposition
- 3 months from advertisement in the Patent Journ…
- Protection
- 10 years from filing date
- Multi-class filing
- One class per application
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The trademark office and official links
Trademarks in South Africa are registered by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
Official fees in South Africa
| Official fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application to register a trade mark (Form TM1), per class One class per application | ZAR 590 |
| Application for a certification or collective mark (Form TM1), per class | ZAR 310 |
| Request for search (Form TM2), per mark per class Optional official search | ZAR 190 |
| Notice of opposition or rectification (Form TM3) | ZAR 260 |
| Renewal (Form TM5), per registration | ZAR 260 |
| Additional fee for renewal within one month after expiry | ZAR 48 |
| Restoration of a mark removed for non-payment of renewal fee | ZAR 145 |
| Recordal of assignment (Form TM6), first mark | ZAR 150 |
Official office fees only (schedule as of 2026-10). Official fee schedule. Professional fees of a local firm are extra — compare fixed-fee packages.
How to register a trademark in South Africa
- Search the register for earlier conflicting marks; CIPC offers an official search on Form TM2 per mark per class.
- File a separate Form TM1 application with CIPC for each class of goods or services, giving an address for service in South Africa.
- CIPC allocates an application number and examines the application for registrability and conflicts with earlier marks.
- Respond to any official action (objections or conditions) raised by the examiner.
- Once accepted, request advertisement of the application in the Patent Journal (Form TM2).
- If no opposition is filed within the opposition period, CIPC issues the registration certificate.
Examination, publication and opposition
- Examination: CIPC examines applications on absolute and relative grounds; its published service standard is a first official action within 10 months from the date of application.
- Publication: Patent Journal (South Africa)
- Opposition period: 3 months from advertisement in the Patent Journal
- Typical timeline: CIPC's service standards state about 10 months to a first official action and about 3 months (66 working days) from the end of the opposition period to issue the certificate where there is no opposition.
Protection, renewal and use
- Term: 10 years from the filing date, renewable.
- Late renewal: Renewal may be filed up to 6 months after expiry; an additional fee applies when renewing after expiry, and unpaid marks are advertised and then removed (restoration available on payment of a fee).
- Use requirement: a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.
- Rights system: first to file.
Filing from abroad
- Local agent: Any person or entity may apply, but the address for service must be in South Africa; foreign applicants are in practice represented by a South African trade mark attorney or agent.
- Power of attorney: A power of attorney is required when an attorney or agent files on the applicant's behalf; notarisation or legalisation requirements were not verified from an official source.
- Language: English
Firms on TrademarksHub that cover South Africa can act as your local agent — see firms.
Madrid Protocol
South Africa is not a member of the Madrid System, so an international registration cannot cover it. You need a national filing, usually through a local agent.
Trademark classes
Nice Classification (45 classes). Each application covers one class, so file one application per class. Not sure which classes you need? See all 45 classes or classes by business type.
How South Africa compares
- Opposition: 3 months from advertisement in the Patent Journal — compare all countries
- Renewal: every 10 years; grace period Renewal may be filed up to 6 months after expiry; an additional fee applies when renewing after expiry, and unpaid marks are advertised and then removed (restoration available on payment of a fee). — compare all countries
- Foreign owners: local address needed — rules in every country
Guides: registering in any country · costs by country · Madrid
Good to know in South Africa
- South Africa is a single-class jurisdiction: each class needs its own application and fee.
- South Africa is not a member of the Madrid Protocol, so protection must be obtained through a national filing with CIPC.
- Registration dates back to the filing date, and the 10-year term runs from the date of application.
- A registered mark can be removed for non-use if it has not been used in good faith for a continuous period of five years from the issue date of the registration certificate (section 27 of the Act).
- Applications may be filed before the mark is used; prior use is not a filing requirement.