When using Alibaba Cloud node servers, submit your application through the Alibaba Cloud ICP filing system. After approval, you can launch your website or app service. This topic describes the filing process and key considerations.
Before you begin
According to the Measures for the Filing of Non-commercial Internet Information Services, servers located in the Chinese mainland must complete ICP filing on the platform of their access provider. Otherwise, your website may be shut down. Servers outside the Chinese mainland do not require filing.
Prerequisites for filing with Alibaba Cloud: You must use an Alibaba Cloud server in the Chinese mainland. Only then can Alibaba Cloud file on your behalf.
Scenarios that do not qualify:
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Using a server from another provider? — File with that provider. For policy details, see Delegate filing to your actual access provider.
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Using an Alibaba Cloud server in China (Hong Kong) or overseas? — No filing is required.
Even if your website or app is already filed with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), you must still complete an additional access filing with Alibaba Cloud to use Alibaba Cloud services normally.
Filing types
You do not need to manually select your filing type. Enter your entity and website/app information in the filing workflow. Alibaba Cloud will automatically determine your filing type and generate an order.
Entity not filed with Alibaba Cloud
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First-time filing
This is the first ICP filing for both the entity and the website/app. If the entity is an individual, see Quick Start for personal website filing or Quick Start for app filing.
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(No existing entity) Add Internet Information Services
The entity already has a filing record with MIIT, and a new website/app is now hosted on Alibaba Cloud Chinese mainland node servers.
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Add access
The entity already has a filing record with MIIT, and the website/app is already filed with MIIT. You now need to add Alibaba Cloud as an access service provider. Access filing does not affect your domain registrar. For detailed steps, see Migrate your filing to Alibaba Cloud from another provider.
Entity already filed with Alibaba Cloud
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(Existing entity) Add Internet Information Services
The entity has successfully filed with Alibaba Cloud, and a new website/app is now hosted on Alibaba Cloud Chinese mainland node servers.
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Add access
The entity has successfully filed with Alibaba Cloud, and the website/app is already filed with MIIT. You now need to add Alibaba Cloud as an access service provider. Access filing does not affect your domain registrar. For detailed steps, see Migrate your filing to Alibaba Cloud from another provider.
Preparation before ICP filing
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Description |
References |
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Register an Alibaba Cloud account |
Use this account to apply for ICP filing and maintain your filing information later. One Alibaba Cloud account can have only one filing entity. |
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Domain preparation and verification |
Complete domain registration and domain identity verification. Then verify that your domain meets ICP filing requirements. |
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Server preparation |
To file through Alibaba Cloud, prepare an Alibaba Cloud server in the Chinese mainland first. Note
If your filing account and server account are the same Alibaba Cloud account, you do not need a separate filing service code. If they are different accounts, follow the instructions to obtain a service code. |
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Documents required for ICP filing |
Required documents differ for individuals and organizations. |
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Pre-approval (optional) |
Internet Information Services in fields such as news, publishing, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, finance, and religion require corresponding pre-approval procedures. |
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Review communications administration rules |
Understand the rules of the local communications administration where you file. Prepare your filing materials according to their requirements. |
Filing process
Follow this process for all scenarios, including first-time filing, adding access to an existing filing, or adding new services.
Step 1: Create ICP filing order
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Enter basic information
In the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing system, click Start Filing. Follow the prompts to enter your entity and website/app information. The system automatically verifies whether you meet filing requirements. For detailed instructions, see Basic information verification.
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Enter entity information
Enter accurate information for the ICP filing entity. For step-by-step guidance, see Enter entity information.
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Enter website or app information
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For websites, see Enter website information and Enter access information for website/app.
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For apps, see Enter app information, Enter access information for website/app, and Enter app feature information.
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Upload documents and complete authenticity verification
For detailed instructions, see Upload documents and complete authenticity verification.
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Confirm information
Before submitting your ICP filing application, carefully review all filing information, including the entity and website/app details. Submit the order only after confirming everything is correct.
Step 2: Alibaba Cloud preliminary review
After you submit your ICP filing application, Alibaba Cloud reviewers complete a preliminary review within 1–2 business days and provide feedback. If approved, your application is automatically submitted to the communications administration for final review. For detailed review information, see Step 2: Alibaba Cloud preliminary review. For issues where your website or app content does not match filing information and gets rejected, see What to do if your filing is rejected due to mismatched content?.
Step 3: MIIT SMS verification
During ICP filing, complete SMS verification through the MIIT ICP Filing Management System. For filing types requiring SMS verification, see Step 3: MIIT SMS verification.
Step 4: Communications administration review
After SMS verification, the communications administration conducts the final review. Once approved, your filing is complete. You will receive the result via SMS and email. Log on to the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing Management System to check your filing progress.
Step 5: Post-filing processing
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Item |
Description |
References |
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Launch website or app |
After successful filing, launch your website or app. For example, with an ECS instance: attach the public IP address of your ECS instance to your domain name and complete DNS resolution. Then access your website through the domain name. |
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Add ICP number and other information |
Website requirement: Add your ICP number to the bottom of your homepage and link it to the MIIT website so users can verify your filing information. App requirement: Display the filing number prominently in sections such as Settings or About. Special requirement: Some provinces require a copyright notice below Internet Information Services. |
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PSB filing |
According to the Measures for Security Protection of Computer Information Network International Networking, you must complete PSB filing within 30 days after launching your website or app. Log on to the National Internet Security Management Service Platform to submit your PSB filing application. |
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ICP license (optional) |
Applicability: Required for commercial websites or apps that provide paid information or services. When to apply: Apply for a commercial ICP license after completing ICP filing. |
FAQ
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If you have existing ICP filing information under the former HiChina filing platform and now need to file with Alibaba Cloud, claim your original HiChina ICP filing.
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For common questions about filing scenarios and concepts, see: FAQ on filing scenarios and basic concepts
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For common questions about the filing process, see: Filing process FAQ
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For common questions about filing domains, see: Domain considerations for filing
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For common questions about filing accounts, see: Filing account FAQ
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For common questions about filing rejections, see: Filing rejection FAQ
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For common questions about filing information, see: Common reasons for filing verification failures and how to resolve them
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For common questions about different scenarios, see: FAQ on ICP filing for different scenarios
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Does a domain used for non-website purposes (such as internal network tunneling) require filing?
Filing depends on whether the domain resolves to a server in the Chinese mainland, not on its specific use. Even if your domain is used for internal network tunneling, API endpoints, email services, or other non-website purposes, you must complete ICP filing if it resolves to an IP address of a server in the Chinese mainland.