ICP filing for domain names

Why you need an ICP filing

According to the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services and the Registration Administration Measures for Non-Commercial Internet Information Services, China implements a filing system for non-commercial Internet information services and a permit system for commercial Internet information services. You cannot engage in Internet information services without obtaining a permit or completing the ICP filing procedure.

Based on these policies, after you build a website on a Simple Application Server in the Chinese mainland and complete domain name resolution, you must complete an ICP filing before you can offer services to the public. This ensures that your website remains accessible. For more information, see What is an ICP filing?.

ICP filing notes

• An ICP filing is not required for Simple Application Servers deployed outside the Chinese mainland.

• A service identification number is a verification code used to associate your Simple Application Server when you submit ICP filing information in the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing system. To learn how to apply for a service identification number, see Servers and service identification numbers for ICP filings. Note the following when you apply for a service identification number:

  • As of May 21, 2018, to apply for a service identification number, the Simple Application Server must have a subscription duration of at least three months. This includes renewals.

  • A public IP address of a server can be associated with up to five service identification numbers. This lets you complete ICP filings for up to five websites. A successful ICP filing for one website consumes one service identification number. A used service identification number cannot be used for another ICP filing. If you later cancel the website's ICP filing or remove Alibaba Cloud as a service provider, the service identification number remains in a used state and cannot be reused.

  • The number of domain names you can submit per service identification number is as follows:

    • If you apply for an ICP filing for the first time, you can submit up to five separate websites. Each website can have multiple domain names.

    • If you want to add websites to an existing ICP filing, you need to submit only one domain name for each website. You can submit multiple websites across multiple ICP filing applications. For example, if multiple domain names are associated with the ICP filing number ICP Bei No. 1200000 - 1, you only need to add any one of those domain names under the ICP filing number ICP Bei No. 1200000 - 1. The other domain names are automatically added. After you submit the application for ICP Bei No. 1200000 - 1, you can proceed to submit applications for other ICP filing numbers.

• You cannot publish or access a website if its domain name does not have an ICP filing. You must take the website offline and apply for an ICP filing as required by regulations.

• If your domain name already has an ICP filing through another service provider, you must add Alibaba Cloud as a service provider to your ICP filing information. After your request is approved, you can make the website accessible. You must complete this procedure within 30 days. Otherwise, the website remains inaccessible. For more information, see Procedure to add Alibaba Cloud to the ICP filing information.

Time required for an ICP filing

Before you apply for an ICP filing, you must prepare the required materials. Then, you can use a PC or an app to enter the ICP filing information, upload your documents, and complete the authenticity verification. After you submit your application, it must pass a preliminary review by Alibaba Cloud, a text message verification, and a final review by the relevant communications administration. The entire ICP filing process takes approximately 1 to 22 business days, but the actual time may vary.

Preparations for an ICP filing

Different communications administrations (CAs) have different material requirements. You can review the ICP filing rules for your province, autonomous region, or municipality. You can also visit the MIIT ICP Filing Management System for more information. For more information, see Overview of preparations for an ICP filing.

ICP filing procedure