An ICP filing is the record-filing route for qualifying non-commercial internet information services provided in mainland China. It is not a shorthand operating licence and does not by itself authorise a commercial telecom service.
The filing file should align the service provider, domain, hosting or access provider, website or app, identity records and any required sector approval.
Who should run the filing analysis
Start with the entity that actually provides the mainland internet information service. Map the domain registrant, contracting entity, mainland hosting/access arrangement and the party controlling the website or app. Resolve mismatches before submission.
Website filing workflow
- Classify the service and check whether another telecom licence or sector approval is implicated.
- Confirm the filing entity, identity and business-scope records.
- Inventory domains, IP access, hosting and access provider.
- Prepare truthful service descriptions and responsible-person details.
- Submit through the applicable MIIT filing system or authorised access/hosting provider workflow.
- Respond to verification requests and correct inconsistent records.
- After filing, display and maintain the required filing information and update changes promptly.
APP filing is connected but distinct
MIIT's 2023 notice established filing work for mobile internet applications, including distribution forms referenced by the notice. Record the app operator, domain or network resources, distribution platform and underlying service. APP filing does not replace a telecom operating licence, content approval, privacy compliance or cybersecurity duties.
Documents and evidence
- Entity registration and responsible-person identity information.
- Domain registration and control records.
- Hosting, access, server and IP information.
- Website/app name, functions, URLs and service description.
- Existing licences and sector pre-approvals where applicable.
- Contact and verification channels.
- Privacy notice, user-facing terms and complaint contact for launch readiness.
Common failure points
- Domain, hosting and filing entity do not match.
- The service description understates paid, platform or third-party functions.
- Regulated content or a sector approval is omitted.
- Contact verification fails or records are stale.
- An overseas entity is presented as the mainland filing operator without a supportable structure.
- The team assumes an existing website filing automatically covers a new app, operator or business model.
Changes and closure
Maintain a change log for entity name, responsible person, domain, access provider, IP, website/app name, service description and closure. Check whether the filing must be changed or cancelled and whether the product change triggers a licence analysis.
Related decision desks
Official sources and version control
- Telecommunications Regulations
- MIIT Telecommunications Business Classification Catalogue (2015 edition)
- MIIT Order No. 42 licensing measures
- 2024-amended non-commercial internet information service filing measures
- MIIT APP filing notice
- 2022 foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise provisions
- 2024 national foreign-investment negative list
Version note: Sources checked 30 August 2026. Confirm later amendments, local communications-administration practice and any pilot opening before relying on a classification or ownership conclusion.
General information only, not legal advice. Classification and administrative practice can change; obtain advice for the actual service, entity, ownership and deployment.
