Trademark Registration Nepal: Process & Fees

Updated August 2026. A bill to replace the governing 1965 Act was registered in the House of Representatives in early 2026 and we could not confirm whether it has been enacted. Verify the current law and fees at the Department of Industry before filing.

You built a brand, customers know the name, and someone else registers it. In Nepal that is not a hypothetical — protection without registration is minimal, and even well-known marks have rarely succeeded in claiming rights they never registered.

⚠ The rule that should decide this for you. Under Nepali law, title to a trademark is acquired upon registration. Using a name for years, building goodwill and having customers recognise it does not, by itself, give you enforceable rights. If your brand name matters to your business, registration is not a nice-to-have.

Where and Under What Law

Trademarks are registered at the Department of Industry in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 2022 BS (1965) and its Rules of 2033 BS.

The law is on the verge of changing. An Industrial Property Bill was registered in the House of Representatives in early 2026, intended to replace the 1965 Act and to add protection for geographical indications. We could not verify whether it has been enacted or commenced. A guide published in 2026 still describes the 1965 Act as governing. If you are filing now, ask the Department which law and which fee schedule currently apply.

The Process

Preliminary search at the Department to check whether your mark, or something confusingly similar, is already registered.
File the application with the form, your business registration certificate, notarised PAN or VAT certificate, four label copies at 8×8 cm, and a notarised power of attorney if an agent is filing.
Examination by the Department against the statutory grounds for refusal.
Publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin.
Opposition period — reported as 90 days from publication, during which a third party may object.
Registration, with the registration fee reportedly payable within 35 days of the approval notice.

Do the search first, properly. It is the cheapest step and the only one that can save you from building a brand you will have to abandon. If the search shows a conflict, you want to know before the signage, the packaging and the social media handles.

Fees — and Why We Are Showing You a Range

Fee (per class)	Nepali	SAARC	Other foreign
Application	Rs 1,000	Rs 1,500	Rs 2,000
Registration	Rs 5,000	Rs 7,500	Rs 10,000
Renewal	Rs 5,000	Rs 7,500	Rs 10,000
Official search	Rs 1,000

⚠ Sources conflict on renewal, and the difference is tenfold. The schedule above gives a renewal fee of Rs 5,000 per class with a late surcharge of 25% in the first three months of grace and 50% in the next three. Another source gives a renewal fee of Rs 500 and a flat Rs 1,000 late penalty, with renewal due within 35 days of expiry and a six-month grace period.

We could not open any Department of Industry fee schedule to settle it. Ask the Department for the current fee before you budget or before a renewal deadline.

How Long Protection Lasts

7 yearsTerm of registration

RenewableIndefinitely, in 7-year terms

45Classes — one application per class

One detail we could not settle: whether the seven years run from the filing date or from the date of registration. Sources differ. Given that examination and publication can take months, that difference is real. Ask, and diarise the renewal date the Department gives you rather than calculating it yourself.

Nepal is reported to use the Nice Classification with 45 classes, and to require one application per class. If your brand covers goods and services in different classes, budget accordingly — the per-class fees multiply.

Timeline

Scenario	Reported timeline
No opposition	6–9 months
Opposed	2–4 years, with the Department alone often taking around a year on the opposition

The practical lesson from that gap: an opposition can cost you years. That is another reason the preliminary search matters — and a reason to file early, before your brand becomes visible enough for someone to contest or copy.

🤝 Want to protect your brand name before someone else registers it?

Tell us your business name and what you sell. Digital Solution will help you understand which classes you need and what the Department will ask for — and tell you when a trademark agent is worth the cost.

📲 WhatsApp: +977 9766597181 Our Services →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I register a trademark in Nepal?

At the Department of Industry, under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 2022 BS — though a replacement bill was registered in Parliament in early 2026.

Do I get rights just by using my brand name?

Very little. Title is acquired on registration, and unregistered marks have rarely been protected successfully in Nepal.

How much does it cost?

Reported at Rs 1,000 application and Rs 5,000 registration per class for a Nepali applicant, with higher fees for foreign applicants. Renewal figures conflict between sources — confirm with the Department.

How long does registration last?

Seven years, renewable indefinitely in seven-year terms. Whether the term runs from filing or registration is unclear — ask when you register.

How long does the process take?

Six to nine months without opposition; two to four years if opposed.

Do I need a separate application for each class?

Reportedly yes — one application per class under the 45-class system.

What documents do I need?

Application form, business registration certificate, notarised PAN or VAT certificate, four 8×8 cm label copies, and a notarised power of attorney if using an agent.

Can someone oppose my application?

Yes, reportedly within 90 days of publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin.

Sources

Patent, Design and Trademark Act 2022 BS and Rules 2033 BS.
Published law-firm guidance on the registration procedure, opposition period and timelines.
Reporting on the Industrial Property Bill registered in the House of Representatives in early 2026 — enactment unverified.

Trademark Registration in Nepal: Protecting Your Brand Name