PPH Fast-Track: How to Accelerate Your China Patent from 18 Months to 6 Months
The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) is one of the most powerful tools for accelerating patent examination in China, yet many international companies don't know it exists or how to use it effectively. This guide explains everything you need to know about leveraging PPH for your China patents. What is PPH? The Patent Prosecution Highway is an international framework that allows patent applicants to fast-track examination in participating countries based on positive examination results from another patent office. China has PPH agreements with over 30 countries including the US, Europe, Japan, and Korea. Why PPH Matters for China Patents Traditional TimelineFiling to First Office Action: 12-18 months Total time to grant: 24-36 months Multiple examination rounds commonPPH TimelineFiling to First Office Action: 2-4 months Total time to grant: 6-12 months Fewer examination rounds"Peter and his team guided us through the PPH route, and our first CN patent was granted in 6 months — faster than we expected." - Alex Johnson, GreenCell RoboticsEligibility Requirements To use PPH for your China patent application, you must have:A corresponding application in a PPH partner country (US, EP, JP, KR, etc.) At least one allowed claim in the partner country application Matching claims between the foreign and Chinese applications Not yet started substantive examination in China (for most PPH types)Types of PPH Available in China 1. PPH MOTTAINAI (Standard PPH) Based on allowed claims from a single foreign application. Most commonly used route. 2. PCT-PPH Based on positive reports from PCT International Search or Examination. Particularly useful for startups filing internationally. 3. IP5 PPH Accelerated cooperation between the five largest patent offices (US, EP, JP, KR, CN). Offers the fastest track. Step-by-Step PPH Filing Process Step 1: Prepare Your Foreign Application Ensure you have:Allowance notice or positive examination report Copy of allowed claims Examination history documentsStep 2: File Chinese Application If not already filed, file your Chinese patent application via:Paris Convention route (within 12 months of priority) PCT national phase entry (within 30/32 months)Step 3: Submit PPH Request Before substantive examination begins, submit:PPH request form Allowed claims from foreign office Claim correspondence table Translation of allowed claimsStep 4: Pay Official FeesPPH request fee: Currently FREE in China Examination fee: Standard rates apply Attorney fees: Varies by firmStep 5: Respond to Expedited Examination CNIPA will typically issue first office action within 2-4 months. Response time is shortened to match accelerated timeline. Cost-Benefit Analysis CostsNo additional official fees for PPH request Professional fees: USD 1,200-1,800 Translation costs: Same as regular filing Total additional cost: ~15-20% over standard filingBenefits60% faster grant time Higher grant rates (90%+ vs. 70% average) Fewer office actions Earlier market protection Reduced uncertainty ROI: Significant for time-sensitive technologiesBest Practices for PPH Success 1. File PPH Request Early Submit your PPH request as soon as you have allowance in the partner country. Don't wait for Chinese examination to start. 2. Ensure Claim Correspondence Make sure your Chinese claims closely match your allowed foreign claims. Significant differences can delay or complicate PPH examination. 3. Prepare Comprehensive Translations High-quality translations of allowed claims and examination documents are critical. Poor translations can negate PPH advantages. 4. Have Documentation Ready Gather all required documents before filing:Allowance notice File wrapper documents Claim charts showing correspondence Professional translations5. Work with Experienced PPH Practitioners PPH procedures have specific requirements. Errors can result in rejection of the PPH request, wasting time and money. Common PPH Mistakes to Avoid Mistake 1: Waiting Too Long PPH requests must typically be filed before substantive examination begins. Once examination starts, PPH may not be available. Mistake 2: Claim Mismatches Chinese claims that differ significantly from allowed foreign claims will not qualify for PPH. Mistake 3: Incomplete Documentation Missing or incorrect documents will delay or reject your PPH request. Mistake 4: Wrong PPH Program Different PPH programs have different requirements. Using the wrong program wastes time. Real-World PPH Results Based on our experience with 500+ PPH filings:Average grant time: 8 months (vs. 24 months standard) Grant rate: 95% (vs. 70% standard) Office actions: 1.2 average (vs. 2.5 standard) Client satisfaction: 98%When NOT to Use PPH PPH isn't always the right choice:Claims not yet allowed in partner country Significant claim differences between applications No urgent need for quick grant Strategic reasons to slow examinationConclusion PPH offers dramatic acceleration of Chinese patent examination with high success rates and minimal additional costs. For companies with time-sensitive technologies or market entry plans, PPH can provide critical competitive advantages. The key to PPH success is proper preparation, claim correspondence, and working with experienced practitioners who understand both systems. Ready to accelerate your China patents? Contact our patent team to discuss PPH strategies for your portfolio.