China NNN Agreement Or Trademark Registration? You Usually Need Both

Do you need a China NNN Agreement or a China trademark registration before approaching a Chinese manufacturer? Most branded products custom-manufactured in China need both. A trademark gives you a property right in the brand that you can enforce against third parties. An NNN Agreement controls what its signers can do with the information you give them.

The deadlines differ. File the trademark application as soon as you settle on the brand and clear it for registration. Get an NNN Agreement signed before sending a prospective manufacturer anything worth protecting. These steps often proceed at the same time.

Manufacturing in China Exposes Your Brand

Companies often assume they don’t need a China trademark because they sell in the United States, Canada, or Europe rather than China. But if your name or logo appears on the product or packaging, it becomes visible in China before the goods reach your customers. The factory, sourcing agent, packaging vendor, and freight forwarder can