What we coordinate
Non-commercial (general) ICP versus commercial ICP (ICP Zheng) after…
Non-commercial (general) ICP versus commercial ICP (ICP Zheng) after Bei’an filing, including Chinese-owned company requirements where they apply.
MIIT provincial applications, central filing database linkage, and Public…
MIIT provincial applications, central filing database linkage, and Public Security Bureau registration before launch where required.
Where Acadia helps
Sequencing domain purchase, hosting in mainland China, and application…
Sequencing domain purchase, hosting in mainland China, and application packages aligned with MIIT expectations.
Bringing together content, cybersecurity, and data rules that sit…
Bringing together content, cybersecurity, and data rules that sit alongside ICP obligations for e-commerce and payments.
ICP licenses are mandatory for hosting websites in China.
ICP licenses are digital licences issued by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and cover online content hosted in China, including websites, mobile apps, and e-commerce platforms. ICP regulation was introduced in 2000 to ensure that online content hosted and accessible in China complies with Chinese law.
ICP regulation has evolved with online content: stricter compliance in the early 2010s helped regulate e-commerce, followed by cybersecurity and data-localisation expectations in the 2020s under China’s cybersecurity and personal data protection frameworks alongside the growth of social media.
The current ICP licensing system addresses content regulation, cybersecurity, and consumer protection so online platforms comply with Chinese law and national cybersecurity interests.
Websites hosted outside China often face slow loading speeds and inaccessibility. Without an ICP license, businesses can struggle to integrate with Chinese payment platforms, limiting reach to Chinese consumers.
Operating in China without an ICP license can create legal liability risk.
General ICP license for individuals
Individuals applying for a non-commercial ICP must include a copy of their passport with their application. Businesses must include a copy of their business licence. Obtaining this licence involves choosing a host for your domain name, purchasing a domain name, and submitting an application to MIIT for approval.
Processing is handled at the provincial level; if approved, a non-commercial ICP is registered in a central government database. Applicants are often quoted about 20 days for MIIT approval in theory; in practice, waiting one to two months is not unusual.
Commercial ICP licenses for registered companies
An ICP commercial license-known as “ICP Zheng” (ICP 证) in Chinese-allows online platforms or third-party sellers of goods and services to deploy a website on a host in mainland China. To apply for a commercial ICP license, a business or person must first obtain an ICP filing (ICP Bei’an). Most importantly, the applicant company generally needs to be Chinese-owned. The commercial application typically requires information similar to the ICP filing package.
After obtaining an ICP filing and a commercial ICP license, the licensee may launch a website with e-commerce and online payment integration on a server in mainland China. MIIT often processes and approves a commercial ICP license in approximately 60 working days. After approval, the business or individual must register with the Chinese Public Security Bureau before the site can go live-a requirement from 2016 that can add about 30 days.
We help teams align hosting, domain, MIIT filings, commercial licensing, and PSB steps so mainland users, payments, and compliance hang together on a realistic schedule.
Discuss your China licensing requirements
We confirm the licence scope, city-level requirements, and application sequence for your business.