Core Takeaway: ICP filing (Internet Content Provider Filing) is a mandatory registration system administered by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for all websites and apps hosted on servers within mainland China. Under the “Administrative Measures for Internet Information Services” (State Council Decree No. 292), operating without an ICP filing can result in fines ranging from 10,000 to 1,000,000 RMB. As of early 2026, over 6.5 million active filing entities are registered in the MIIT’s ICP/IP Address/Domain Name Information Filing Management System (beian.miit.gov.cn). Since 2024, mobile apps and mini-programs have also been brought under ICP filing requirements — all internet information service carriers operating in mainland China must complete ICP filing before going live.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Body | Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) |
| Legal Basis | Administrative Measures for Internet Information Services (State Council Decree No. 292) |
| Scope | Websites, apps, mini-programs, quick apps (hosted on mainland China servers) |
| Filing Types | ICP Filing (non-commercial) / ICP License (commercial) |
| Review Timeline | Initial review 1-3 business days + Authority review 10-20 business days |
| Cost | Filing itself is free (submitted through hosting provider) |
| Filing Number Format | Province abbreviation + ICP Bei + 8 digits + Hao (e.g., Jing ICP Bei 12345678 Hao) |
| Foreign Companies | Must establish a Chinese legal entity (WFOE/JV) before applying |
ICP filing is the “entry threshold” for legally operating a website or app in mainland China. Whether you are an individual webmaster, SME, or multinational corporation, if your server is deployed in mainland China, you must complete this step. This guide walks you through every aspect of ICP filing from start to finish, helping you complete the process efficiently and launch your site successfully.
📌 Series Context: This article focuses on the ICP filing process itself. For .cn domain registration (a prerequisite step), see our guide “Complete Guide to .CN Domain Registration”; for Chinese character domains, see “Complete Guide to Chinese IDN Domain Registration”.
What Is ICP Filing?
Definition: ICP filing (Chinese: ICP备案, pinyin: bèi’àn) is a mandatory government registration system administered by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) that requires all operators of websites, apps, and internet services hosted on servers within mainland China to register their identity and service information with provincial telecommunications authorities before going live.
In simple terms, the core logic of ICP filing is: whoever operates a website or app on servers in mainland China must report their identity information to the government. This is analogous to how opening a physical store requires business registration — you can be in any industry, but you must register first.
According to the China Internet Association’s 2025 Annual Internet Industry Report, approximately 78% of ICP filing applications are approved on the first submission, while about 22% require resubmission due to documentation issues.
ICP Filing vs. ICP Commercial License: Key Differences
Many people confuse “ICP filing” (ICP备案) with “ICP license” (ICP经营许可证, also called “Value-Added Telecommunications Business Operating License”). They are fundamentally different:
| Comparison | ICP Filing (Non-commercial) | ICP Commercial License |
|---|---|---|
| Use Cases | Corporate websites, personal blogs, information display | E-commerce platforms, online payments, paid SaaS |
| Difficulty | Low; individuals and businesses eligible | High; businesses only, minimum capital requirements |
| Approving Authority | Provincial Communications Administration | Provincial Communications Administration / MIIT |
| Review Period | 10-20 business days | 40-60 business days |
| Cost | Free | Free (but high corporate threshold) |
| Foreign Ownership Limit | WFOEs can apply | Requires Chinese majority control (foreign ≤50%) |
| Number Format | Jing ICP Bei XXXXXXXX Hao | Jing ICP Zheng XXXXXXXX Hao |
💡 Practical Rule of Thumb: If your website only displays information and publishes content without directly charging users, you only need an ICP filing. If it involves online transactions, paid memberships, advertising networks, or other revenue-generating activities, you need an ICP commercial license. Most corporate websites and personal sites only require an ICP filing.
Who Needs ICP Filing?
If any of the following conditions apply, you need ICP filing:
Filing Required:
- Website server (including shared hosting, cloud servers, VPS) is deployed in mainland China
- Using mainland China CDN acceleration nodes
- App backend is deployed in mainland China (mandatory enforcement since 2024)
- WeChat mini-programs, quick apps, etc. using mainland China backend services
Filing NOT Required:
- Server deployed in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or overseas
- Services provided exclusively outside China, not targeting mainland Chinese users
- Using third-party platforms (e.g., WeChat Official Accounts, Taobao stores) — no separate filing needed
⚠️ Important Note: Even if you use a .cn domain but your server is overseas (e.g., Hong Kong), you do NOT need ICP filing. Conversely, even if you use a .com or .net domain, if your server is in mainland China, filing is mandatory. Filing follows the server location, not the domain extension.
Pre-Filing Preparation
Before formally submitting your ICP filing application, you need to prepare the following materials and conditions:
1. Domain Preparation
Your filing domain must meet these conditions:
- Real-name verification completed: Domain must have completed real-name verification, with verification information matching the filing entity
- Registrar approved by MIIT: Domain must be registered with an MIIT-approved registrar
- Domain within validity period: Expired domains cannot be filed
- Domain holder matches filing entity: For personal filing, the domain holder must be the individual; for business filing, the holder must be the company name or legal representative
💡 Registrar Selection Tip: If you plan to build a website targeting the Chinese market, consider choosing a platform that supports both domain registration and ICP filing preparation. NamesLink is Hong Kong’s largest domain registration and trading platform, supporting 1,500+ domain extensions. You can use NamesLink Domain Check for millisecond-speed domain availability detection, then decide whether to point your domain to a mainland China server for filing.
2. Server/Hosting Preparation
- Must be a mainland China server (Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud, Huawei Cloud, etc.)
- Server must remain active during the filing period
- One server can support ICP filing for multiple domains
3. Entity Documentation
For Individual Filing:
- Front and back of ID card (or passport)
- Mobile phone number (local province number)
- Email address
- Emergency contact information (required by some provinces)
For Business Filing:
- Business license copy (photo)
- Legal representative’s ID card (front and back)
- Website administrator’s ID card (front and back)
- Website administrator’s mobile phone number (local province)
- Domain certificate
- Authorization letter (required when website administrator is not the legal representative)
4. Website Information
- Website name (personal sites cannot contain business-related terms)
- Website purpose description
- Homepage URL
- Website service content
Complete ICP Filing Process (7 Steps)
Step 1: Choose a Hosting Provider and Register an Account
ICP filing cannot be submitted directly to MIIT — it must be submitted through your server hosting provider’s (接入商) filing system. After choosing your server provider, enter their filing management page and register an account.
Major hosting provider filing portals:
- Alibaba Cloud: beian.aliyun.com
- Tencent Cloud: cloud.tencent.com/product/ba
- Huawei Cloud: support.huaweicloud.com/icp
Step 2: Verify Filing Type
The system automatically determines your filing type based on the information you provide:
- First-time filing: Neither the entity nor the domain has been filed before
- New website addition: Entity already has a filing, adding a new domain
- New access addition: Domain already filed with another provider, migrating to new provider
- Filing modification: Changing existing filing information
Step 3: Fill in Entity Information
Enter the basic information for the filing entity (individual or business), including document details, mailing address, contact information, etc. Key points:
- All information must exactly match official documents
- Mobile phone number must be from the filing province (or a nationwide number)
- For personal filing, the province must match the ID card address or actual residence
Step 4: Fill in Website/APP Information
Enter detailed information about the website or app being filed:
- Website/App name
- Domain name (for websites) or app package name (for apps)
- Service content type
- Whether pre-approval is needed (news, publishing, medical, etc. require additional permits)
- Website notes/description
📱 2024 New Regulation: Since 2024, all apps and mini-programs running on mainland China servers must complete ICP filing. App filing requires platform distribution information (app store name, package name, public key SHA-256, etc.).
Step 5: Upload Materials and Complete Facial Recognition
Upload photos/scans of all required documents and complete facial recognition verification for the responsible person (through the hosting provider’s app). Some provinces also require a “backdrop photo” or “Website Construction Plan.”
Step 6: Provider Initial Review + MIIT SMS Verification
- Provider initial review: 1-3 business days; checks material completeness and accuracy
- SMS verification: After initial review passes, MIIT sends a verification SMS to the responsible person’s phone — must be completed within 24 hours (expiration requires resubmission)
- Verification URL: beian.miit.gov.cn → SMS Verification
Step 7: Authority Final Review
The provincial Communications Administration conducts the final review, typically taking 10-20 business days (varies by province). Once approved, you’ll receive SMS and email notifications, and your filing number will be officially issued.
After filing approval, you must:
- Display the filing number in your website footer, linked to the MIIT query page (beian.miit.gov.cn)
- Complete public security network filing within 30 days (www.beian.gov.cn)
- Update filing information promptly if any changes occur
Provincial Review Time Comparison
Review efficiency varies significantly by province:
| Province | Average Review Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 3-5 business days | One of the fastest regions |
| Guangdong | 5-10 business days | High volume but efficient |
| Beijing | 10-15 business days | Stricter review standards |
| Zhejiang | 5-8 business days | Relatively efficient |
| Sichuan | 10-15 business days | Average speed |
| Xinjiang/Tibet | 15-20 business days | Typically the longest |
💡 Speed Tip: Submitting accurate materials the first time significantly shortens the cycle. Common rejection reasons include: domain holder not matching the entity, website name containing business terms (for personal filing), phone number not from the local province, etc.
ICP Filing Guide for Foreign Companies
Overseas enterprises wanting to deploy websites in mainland China must first establish a Chinese legal entity before applying for ICP filing. Here’s the complete path:
Prerequisites
- Establish a Chinese legal entity: Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) or Joint Venture (JV), typically requiring 8-14 weeks
- Obtain a business license: Business scope must include “internet information services” or related wording
- Obtain a Chinese phone number: The filing responsible person needs a mainland China mobile number
Special Considerations for Foreign Companies
- The ICP filing system is only available in Chinese — arrange for Chinese-speaking staff to handle the process
- Foreign passports can be used for responsible person identity verification
- Company name must use the Chinese name on the business license
- Domain holder must be the Chinese entity name (not the overseas parent company)
Foreign Company Filing Timeline
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Establish Chinese entity | 8-14 weeks |
| Register domain + real-name verification | 1-3 days |
| Purchase mainland China server | Immediate |
| Prepare filing materials | 3-5 days |
| Submit filing + review | 15-25 business days |
| Total | Approximately 3-5 months |
2024-2026 ICP Filing Policy Changes
Several important updates have been made to the ICP filing system in recent years:
APP Filing Now Mandatory (Enforced 2024)
In August 2023, MIIT issued the “Notice on Conducting Mobile Internet Application Program Filing Work” (MIIT Document No. 105 [2023]), requiring all apps to complete ICP filing. Timeline:
- September 2023 onwards: New apps must complete filing before listing
- Before April 2024: Existing apps must complete filing
- July 2024 onwards: Normalized supervision and enforcement
Mini-Programs and Quick Apps Included
WeChat mini-programs, Alipay mini-programs, quick apps, etc. are now also under filing management, with filing numbers gaining new “-mini-program” and “-quick-app” suffix identifiers.
Process Optimizations
- Facial recognition verification replacing traditional backdrop photos (most provinces)
- Electronic business licenses accepted as alternatives to paper documents (pilot provinces)
- SMS verification window shortened from 48 hours to 24 hours
Common ICP Filing Questions (FAQ)
Can I file if my domain is registered with an overseas registrar?
Yes, but with prerequisites. The domain registrar must be an MIIT-approved registration service provider (as of early 2026, approximately 70 registrars are approved by MIIT). If your domain is with an overseas registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap), you’ll need to transfer it to an approved domestic registrar and complete real-name verification before filing.
💡 Recommendation: If you plan to build a site in mainland China, register your domain directly with a registrar that supports real-name verification to avoid the hassle of subsequent transfers. You can register domains at competitive prices on NamesLink, which supports 1,500+ extensions globally.
Can one domain be filed multiple times?
No. One domain can only correspond to one filing entity (a strict one-to-one relationship). However, one filing entity can file multiple domains — depending on the hosting provider, a single account typically supports 5-20 domain filings.
Can my website be accessed during the filing process?
No, not during first-time filing. Unfiled domains that resolve to mainland China servers are automatically blocked by hosting providers. It’s recommended to deploy the website on an overseas server (such as a Hong Kong node) or use a temporary test domain for development until filing approval.
Can I change servers after filing approval?
Yes, but you’ll need to complete a “new access addition” procedure with the new hosting provider. If you’re only changing server IPs within the same provider, refiling is typically not required.
Can personal filing be used for business content?
No. Personally filed websites cannot display business-nature content (such as company introductions, product sales, contact pages, etc.). If discovered during authority checks, the filing may be revoked.
Can a filing number be revoked?
Yes. The following situations may lead to filing revocation:
- Filing information is inaccurate or not updated when expired
- Website content doesn’t match filing information
- Website is inaccessible for extended periods
- Domain expires and is registered by someone else
- Hosting provider cancels access
Do Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan servers require filing?
No. ICP filing only applies to servers physically located in mainland China (the People’s Republic of China, excluding the Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan). Using servers in Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan does not require ICP filing — this is why many businesses choose Hong Kong servers as an alternative for serving Chinese users without undergoing the filing process.
Common Rejection Reasons and Solutions
| Rejection Reason | Frequency | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Domain holder doesn’t match entity | ★★★★★ | Update domain real-name info or change filing entity |
| Non-compliant website name | ★★★★☆ | Personal filing should avoid company/business terms |
| Phone number not from local province | ★★★☆☆ | Switch to a phone number from the filing province |
| Unclear document photos | ★★★☆☆ | Retake high-resolution photos with all corners visible |
| Website already accessible | ★★★☆☆ | Close website DNS resolution during first-time filing |
| Pre-approval not obtained | ★★☆☆☆ | News/medical/education sites need corresponding permits first |
| Domain registrar not approved | ★★☆☆☆ | Transfer domain to an MIIT-approved registrar |
Post-Approval Maintenance
ICP filing is not a one-time task. After approval, you need to maintain the following:
Immediate Requirements:
- Display the filing number in your website footer (e.g., “Jing ICP Bei 12345678 Hao”) and link it to
https://beian.miit.gov.cn - Complete public security network filing within 30 days (National Internet Security Management Service Platform: www.beian.gov.cn)
- Apps must display the filing number in “Settings > About” section
Ongoing Maintenance:
- Filing information changes (company name, responsible person, contact details, etc.) must be submitted within 30 days
- Renew domain registration promptly to avoid filing revocation due to expiration
- Regularly confirm website content matches the filing type
- Keep the filing phone number active (annual verification SMS may be sent)
Action Checklist: Complete ICP Filing from Zero
To help you complete filing efficiently, here’s the complete operational checklist:
- Confirm your website needs filing (server in mainland China)
- Register domain with an MIIT-approved registrar
- Complete domain real-name verification (information matches filing entity)
- Purchase a mainland China server
- Prepare personal/business documentation
- Register and fill in information on hosting provider’s filing system
- Complete facial recognition verification
- Submit filing; wait for provider initial review (1-3 business days)
- Complete MIIT SMS verification (within 24 hours)
- Wait for authority final review (10-20 business days)
- After approval, display filing number in website footer
- Complete public security network filing within 30 days
- Website officially launches
Final Thoughts
Summary: ICP filing is fundamentally an identity registration (not content censorship), is completely free to process, and typically completes within 20 business days when materials are accurate. Foreign companies need an additional 3-4 months to establish a Chinese entity. Since 2024, mobile apps and mini-programs are also included in the filing requirements.
While the ICP filing process may appear complex, with well-prepared materials and accurate information, most applications pass on the first attempt. For businesses and individuals targeting the Chinese market, filing is the first step toward legal operation and the foundation for earning Chinese users’ trust.
If you’re still in the domain selection phase, you can use NamesLink’s Domain Check tool for instant domain availability detection (supporting 1,500+ extensions with millisecond-speed checks), or use NamesLink’s Name Generator for AI-powered domain name suggestions. Once you’ve chosen your domain, follow this guide step by step to complete filing and successfully launch your website in mainland China.
📌 Series Guide: This article is part of the “China Domains” series. For .cn domain registration, see “Complete Guide to .CN Domain Registration”; for Chinese character domains, see “Complete Guide to Chinese IDN Domain Registration”.