The total cost of trademark registration in Nepal ranges from NPR 7,000 to NPR 30,000+ depending on whether you file yourself or use a professional, and how many classes you register in. This guide breaks down every government fee, professional charge, and hidden cost involved — so the real budget is known before filing.
Trademark Registration Fees at a Glance
| Item | Government Fee (NPR) |
|---|---|
| Trademark search (per class) | 500–1,000 |
| Application filing (per class) | 1,000 |
| Publication in Industrial Property Bulletin | 500–1,000 |
| Registration fee (per class) | 5,000 |
| Certificate issuance | Included |
| Government total (per class) | 7,000–8,000 |
These fees are set by the Department of Industry (DoI) under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 2022 (1965). All payments are made directly to DoI at Tripureshwor, Kathmandu.
Government Fees Explained
Trademark Search Fee
Before filing, a search at DoI confirms no identical or confusingly similar mark exists in the same class. The search fee is approximately NPR 500–1,000 per class. This step is optional but strongly recommended — filing blindly against an existing mark wastes the entire application fee.
Application Filing Fee
The filing fee is NPR 1,000 per class. The application includes the mark representation, applicant details, and the list of goods or services under the Nice Classification. One application covers one class only — a brand used for both clothing (Class 25) and restaurant services (Class 43) requires two applications and two sets of fees.
Publication Fee
After examination, the mark is published in the Industrial Property Bulletin for opposition. Publication costs approximately NPR 500–1,000 per class. Third parties then have 90 days to oppose the registration.
Registration Fee
If no opposition is filed — or opposition is won — the final registration fee of NPR 5,000 per class is paid. The Trademark Registration Certificate is then issued, and the mark is protected for 7 years.
Professional Service Fees
Most applicants file through a trademark lawyer or registered agent. Professional fees cover the search, document preparation, filing, response to DoI objections, and opposition handling if needed.
Table
| Service | Typical Fee (NPR) |
|---|---|
| Trademark search and clearance report | 3,000–7,000 |
| Application drafting and filing | 10,000–20,000 |
| Objection response (if raised) | 10,000–25,000 |
| Opposition defense (if filed) | 50,000–150,000+ |
| Renewal filing (after 7 years) | 5,000–15,000 |
The wide ranges reflect experience levels and case complexity. Opposition defense, in particular, depends on the strength of the opposing party's case and the volume of evidence required.
Total Cost Scenarios
Scenario 1: Self-Filing, Smooth Case
Table
| Item | Cost (NPR) |
|---|---|
| Search | 500 |
| Filing fee | 1,000 |
| Publication fee | 500 |
| Registration fee | 5,000 |
| Total | ~7,000 |
Realistic only for applicants familiar with DoI procedures, correct Nice Classification, and proper document formatting.
Scenario 2: Professional Filing, Smooth Case
| Item | Cost (NPR) |
|---|---|
| Government fees (all stages) | 7,000 |
| Professional fees | 10,000–20,000 |
| Total | ~17,000–27,000 |
This is the most common route and the one most businesses should budget for.
Scenario 3: With Objections or Opposition
Table
| Item | Cost (NPR) |
|---|---|
| Base cost (Scenario 2) | 17,000–27,000 |
| Objection response | 10,000–25,000 |
| Opposition proceedings (if any) | 50,000–150,000+ |
| Total | ~30,000–200,000+ |
Opposition is the biggest cost variable. Roughly a small fraction of applications face opposition, but when they do, legal costs dominate the budget.
Hidden Costs Most Blogs Don't Mention
Multi-Class Registration
Fees are charged per class. A brand registered in 3 classes costs roughly 3 times the single-class total. The number of classes should be chosen strategically — core business classes first, expansion classes later.
Record Changes
If the applicant's name, address, or ownership changes after registration, a recordal fee applies at DoI. Correcting records before renewal avoids complications.
Translation and Notarization
Foreign applicants need notarized and legalized Power of Attorney documents. Notarization in the home country, followed by legalization at the Nepalese embassy or consulate, adds USD 50–200 in document costs.
Timeline-Related Costs
Registration takes 4–6 months in a clean case. Oppositions extend this to 1–2 years. Longer timelines mean more follow-up work — which is why professional fees for contested cases escalate.
Cost for Foreign Applicants
Foreign companies and individuals pay the same government fees as Nepalese applicants, plus:
| Additional Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Local legal representative (mandatory) | 15,000–25,000 NPR |
| Notarized Power of Attorney | USD 50–150 |
| Embassy legalization | USD 20–50 |
| Priority document (if Paris Convention claim) | Varies |
A foreign applicant should budget NPR 30,000–50,000 total for a single-class registration through a professional.
Is Professional Filing Worth the Cost?
The self-filing route saves NPR 10,000–20,000 but carries real risks:
Wrong class selection — protection covers the wrong goods or services, making the registration effectively useless
Objection mishandling — missed deadlines or weak responses lead to rejection
Opposition vulnerability — an unrepresented applicant facing an opposing corporation's lawyers is at a severe disadvantage
Given that government fees alone are under NPR 8,000, professional fees are the larger share of the budget — and the share that most directly affects whether the trademark actually gets registered and survives challenges.
Trademark Costs Compared to the Cost of Not Registering
Registration costs under NPR 30,000 in a typical case. The cost of not registering is harder to quantify but usually far higher:
Rebranding after an infringement dispute: NPR 500,000+
Lost infringement claims due to unregistered status
A competitor registering your brand first — then suing you
Destroyed franchise, licensing, or investment negotiations over unclear brand ownership
For most businesses, registration is the cheapest brand insurance available.
Trademark Registration Services by Attorney Nepal Pvt Ltd
Attorney Nepal Pvt Ltd provides transparent, fixed-fee trademark registration in Nepal — search, filing, prosecution, and renewal — with no hidden charges. Both Nepalese and foreign applicants are served.
For a exact quote based on your classes and mark type, Contact Attorney Nepal Pvt Ltd today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Government fees total approximately NPR 7,000–8,000 per class. With professional fees, the typical total is NPR 17,000–27,000 for a smooth single-class registration.
The filing fee is NPR 1,000, publication is NPR 500–1,000, and registration is NPR 5,000 — roughly NPR 7,000–8,000 in government fees per class.
Yes. Self-filing is permitted at DoI. However, class selection, objection responses, and opposition proceedings involve legal complexity where mistakes are costly.
Renewal costs NPR 5,000 per class in government fees, plus professional fees of NPR 5,000–15,000 if handled by a representative
No. Government fees paid at each stage are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome.
Self-filing after a proper trademark search is the cheapest route at roughly NPR 7,000. However, the savings disappear quickly if a rejection or opposition occurs due to filing errors.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, please contact Attorney Nepal directly.
