Hong Kong Trademark Renewal: 10-Year Validity, Deadlines, Fees & Lapse Risks (2026)

Oct 6

7 min read

Hong Kong trademark renewal guide: 10-year validity, deadlines, fees and lapse risks

Quick Answer

A Hong Kong registered trademark lasts 10 years from its registration date. You must renew within 6 months before expiry, and there's a further 6-month grace period after expiry (with a surcharge). If you miss both, the mark is removed from the register and you lose your exclusive rights — leaving your brand open to squatting. Renewal is cheap and simple compared with re-filing.

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Introduction: The 10-Year Deadline Everyone Forgets

Here's a pattern I see constantly as a trademark consultant: clients are obsessive when they file, but the moment the registration certificate arrives, it goes in a drawer — and stays there for a decade.

Then, one day, they discover the mark has expired, or is about to. Why? Because a Hong Kong trademark lasts 10 years — long enough that almost everyone forgets.

But a trademark is an asset with a use-by date. Don't renew it, and it stops protecting you. This guide walks you through, straight from the Trade Marks Ordinance (Cap. 559): how long a Hong Kong trademark lasts, when to renew, how to do it, what it costs, and — most critically — what you lose if you let it lapse.

Key Takeaways

A Hong Kong trademark lasts 10 years, running from the registration date.
Renew within 6 months before expiry — there's no need to wait until the last minute.
Missed the deadline? You still have a 6-month grace period, with a surcharge.
No renewal = removal from the register = loss of exclusive rights — and exposure to squatters.
Before renewing, run a quick use review to confirm your mark still serves you.

How Long Does a Hong Kong Trademark Last? (Cap. 559)

Under the Hong Kong Trade Marks Ordinance (Cap. 559), a registered trademark is valid for 10 years, running from the registration date — not the filing date. That distinction matters, because examination and publication can take months, so the two dates can be several months apart.

After 10 years, if you want to keep your exclusive rights, you must apply for renewal. Each renewal grants another 10 years, and — provided you genuinely use the mark and renew on time — it can be renewed indefinitely. In principle, a single mark can protect your brand for life.

When Do You Need to Renew? Deadlines & Grace Period

This is the section where most people trip up. Let me lay it out as a timeline.

Normal Renewal Window: 6 Months Before Expiry

You can apply for renewal as early as 6 months before the expiry date. This is the sensible route — renew early and avoid last-minute surprises.

Grace Period: 6 Months After Expiry (with Surcharge)

If you miss the expiry date, you still have a 6-month grace period in which you can renew, subject to a surcharge. This is your "last life raft".

What If the Grace Period Also Passes?

Once the grace period lapses, the IPD removes the mark from the register. At that point you can no longer "renew" — you must re-file from scratch, which is costly because:

You repeat the entire application process (search, examination, publication).
Approval is not guaranteed — someone may have already registered your mark.
You have zero protection during the gap.

> Consultant's note: discovering a lapse after the fact is the most painful scenario of all. Put the renewal date in your calendar, set a reminder — or hand it to an agent who tracks it for you.

How to Renew a Hong Kong Trademark (Step by Step)

Renewal is handled through the IPD electronic system. The process is roughly:

Confirm the details: registration number, expiry date, and holder information.
Submit the renewal application — via the IPD online system or through an agent.
Pay the renewal fee.
Update the register: the IPD updates the record and issues a renewal confirmation.

It sounds simple, but a few details routinely go wrong:

Has the holder's information changed (company renamed, new address)?
Does the mark still meet the genuine use requirement?
If renewing in the grace period, how is the surcharge calculated?

This is why many businesses hand renewal to a professional who handles it end-to-end, so the mark is never lost to a paperwork slip.

How Much Does Trademark Renewal Cost?

Renewal costs split into two parts:

Official renewal fee: charged by the IPD, per class.
Agency service fee: if you use an agent, an additional service fee applies.

If you renew within the grace period, you'll also pay a surcharge.

> Practical note: compared with the cost of re-filing plus rebuilding your brand protection, the renewal fee is tiny. Renewing on time is always the cheapest option.

What Happens If You Don't Renew? (Lapse Risk)

This is the section that matters most. Letting a mark lapse costs you far more than a name — it costs your entire legal moat:

You lose exclusive rights. You no longer own the mark; anyone can use your name.
You become open to squatting. A removed mark is "unclaimed" — squatters pounce and register the brand you spent years building.
You lose enforcement power. Without a registered mark, it's hard to sue for infringement, stop counterfeits, or complete Amazon Brand Registry.
Your brand asset depreciates. A trademark is an intangible asset; a lapsed one is worth far less for financing, transfer or licensing.

In one line: renewal is the smallest cost that protects your biggest brand asset.

Use the Renewal to Run a "Use Review"

Renewal isn't just "paying to stay alive" — it's a natural moment to review your protection. When you renew, ask yourself:

Are my goods/services classes still correct? Do I need to add classes?
Am I expanding cross-border and need China / international filings?
Have I changed my logo and need to update the mark?

Done this way, one renewal quietly refreshes your entire brand-protection stack.

Renewal vs. Re-Filing: Which Is Cheaper?

This is a very practical question. Here's the comparison:

Renewing On Time

Cost: just the renewal fee (plus any agency fee) — low.
Time: simple, usually fast.
Risk: almost none; protection continues seamlessly.

Re-Filing After a Lapse

Cost: you repeat the whole process (search, examination, publication) — far more expensive and slower.
Risk: approval is not guaranteed — your mark may have been taken, or may no longer meet registration requirements.
Gap: during re-filing you have no protection at all.

> Bottom line: renewal is cheap and safe; re-filing is expensive and risky. Unless you truly no longer need the mark, renewing on time is the only sensible choice.

Managing Multiple Trademarks (For Businesses)

If your company holds several marks — a main brand, sub-brands, marks in different classes — renewal management gets more complex. Here's how to stay on top of it:

Build a Trademark Asset List

List every mark with its registration number, expiry date, class and holder. Then you can see at a glance what's due when.

Set Renewal Reminders

For each mark, set a "6 months before expiry" reminder in your calendar, CRM or project tool, so you always have lead time.

Delegate to an Agent

Many businesses hand renewal to an agent who proactively reminds you of deadlines and handles the paperwork — so you don't have to remember a thing.

Review at Every Renewal

Each time you renew, check: are the classes right, do you need cross-border protection, has the logo changed? One renewal, one full refresh.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does a Hong Kong trademark last?

A registered Hong Kong trademark is valid for 10 years from its registration date. Each renewal grants another 10 years, and it can be renewed indefinitely.

When do I need to renew my Hong Kong trademark?

You can renew within 6 months before expiry. If you miss it, there's a 6-month grace period (with a surcharge). Renew as early as you can.

Can I renew a trademark after it expires?

Yes, within the grace period (6 months after expiry), subject to a surcharge. Once the grace period passes, the mark is removed and you must re-file from scratch.

How much does trademark renewal cost?

Renewal costs comprise an official IPD fee (per class) plus any agency fee, with a surcharge if you renew in the grace period. Compared with re-filing, renewal is by far the cheaper option.

What happens if I don't renew my trademark?

The mark is removed from the register and you lose your exclusive rights — your brand becomes open to squatting, and you can no longer sue for infringement or complete Amazon Brand Registry. Your brand asset depreciates sharply.

Summary: Renew On Time — It's the Smartest Brand Investment

Trademark renewal is one of the cheapest and most important things you'll do for your brand. It only comes around every 10 years, but doing it right protects the entire legal moat you've built. The golden rule: mark the date — don't let "10 years" lull you into forgetting.