International filing fee calculator

Estimate the cost of protecting your trade mark internationally through the Madrid Protocol. Select your countries and number of classes to see a full fee breakdown.

Do you have an existing Australian trade mark?

A Madrid Protocol application must be based on an existing Australian trade mark registration or application.

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How international trade mark fees work

The cost of a Madrid Protocol application has three components: Markster’s professional fee, the WIPO basic fee, and individual country designation fees.

Professional fee. Our base fee of $2,750 (ex GST) covers up to 3 countries and 2 classes. Additional countries are $550 each for countries 4 to 6 and $450 each for countries 7 to 10. Additional classes are $350 each. This covers all work from preparation through to registration, including WIPO correspondence and advice along the way. For applications covering more than 10 countries, contact us for a custom quote.

WIPO basic fee. Every Madrid application incurs a basic fee charged by WIPO: 653 CHF for black and white marks or 903 CHF for colour marks. This is a flat fee regardless of how many countries you designate.

Country designation fees. Each country sets its own designation fee with WIPO. These vary significantly. Some countries charge a few hundred Swiss francs per class, while others charge considerably more. The number of classes also affects the total, as many countries charge per class. The calculator above shows the exact WIPO-published fee for each country based on your class count.

WIPO fees are denominated in Swiss francs (CHF). We convert these to Australian dollars at the time of payment and apply a 5% currency buffer to account for exchange rate fluctuations.

What affects the cost of a Madrid Protocol application

Number of countries. More countries means more designation fees. However, the WIPO basic fee and Markster’s professional fee are structured so that the per-country cost decreases as you add more countries. This is what makes the Madrid Protocol more economical than filing directly in each country once you reach two or more jurisdictions.

Number of classes. Most countries charge per class. Filing in three classes across five countries will cost more than filing in one class across the same five countries. If budget is a factor, filing in fewer classes initially and adding more later through a subsequent designation is an option.

Choice of countries. Country designation fees vary significantly. Some jurisdictions are considerably more expensive than others. If you are prioritising on budget, the calculator lets you compare different country combinations to find the right balance of coverage and cost. Read our guide on choosing where to file internationally.

Colour vs black and white. A colour mark incurs a higher WIPO basic fee (903 CHF vs 653 CHF). If your mark works in black and white, filing without colour can reduce the cost and gives you broader protection, as a black and white registration covers the mark in any colour combination.

Adding countries later through subsequent designations

You do not need to designate every country in your initial filing. A subsequent designation lets you add new countries to an existing international registration at any time during its life. This is useful if you are expanding into new markets, want to stagger costs, or were not ready to commit to certain jurisdictions when you first filed.

A subsequent designation incurs its own WIPO basic fee and the designation fees for each new country, plus Markster’s professional fee for preparation and filing. The process is the same as the original filing: we prepare and file through IP Australia, WIPO processes it, and each new country examines independently.

This flexibility means you can start with the countries that matter most today and expand your coverage over time as your business grows. Contact us to discuss adding countries to an existing registration.

FAQs

Common questions about international filing fees

Answers to frequently asked questions about Madrid Protocol costs, fee structures, and what is included.

How much does a Madrid Protocol application cost?
The total cost has three components: Markster’s professional fee (from $2,750 ex GST), the WIPO basic fee (653 CHF for black and white marks or 903 CHF for colour marks), and individual country designation fees which vary by country and number of classes. Use the calculator above for an accurate estimate based on your specific countries and classes. For a full overview of how international filing works, see our international trade mark registration page.
What is included in the professional fee?
The professional fee covers reviewing your Australian base mark, advising on country selection and class strategy, preparing the application, filing with IP Australia, and managing WIPO correspondence through to registration. Advice along the way is included. The base fee of $2,750 (ex GST) covers up to 3 countries and 2 classes. Additional countries and classes are charged at a flat per-unit rate.
Why do country fees vary so much?
Each country sets its own designation fee with WIPO. Some countries charge a flat fee per class, while others have tiered structures that vary depending on the number of classes. Larger or more complex jurisdictions tend to have higher fees. The calculator shows the exact WIPO-published fee for each country based on your class count.
What currency are WIPO fees charged in?
WIPO fees are denominated in Swiss francs (CHF). We convert these to Australian dollars at the time of payment and apply a 5% currency buffer to account for exchange rate fluctuations. This buffer protects you from being undercharged due to rate movements between quoting and payment.
What if I need to respond to an objection in a designated country?
If a designated country raises an examination objection, responding typically requires engaging a local attorney in that jurisdiction. This is outside the scope of the professional filing fee and is quoted separately if and when it arises. We coordinate the process and provide a fee estimate before any additional work is commenced. Learn more about what can go wrong with international filings.
Can I add more countries after my initial filing?
Yes. You can file a subsequent designation to add new countries to an existing international registration at any time. A subsequent designation incurs its own WIPO basic fee and country designation fees, plus a professional fee for preparation and filing. This is useful if you expand into new markets after your initial filing or want to stagger your costs over time. Contact us to discuss adding countries to an existing registration.
What is a subsequent designation?
A subsequent designation is an addition of one or more new countries to an existing Madrid Protocol international registration. It follows the same process as the original filing but only covers the newly added countries. You can file subsequent designations at any time during the life of your international registration.
Are WIPO fees refundable if my application is refused?
WIPO fees are generally not refundable. If your application is refused in a particular country, the designation fee for that country is not returned. This is one reason why proper preparation and country selection advice is important before filing.

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