This covers insights into the ICP License (Internet Content Provider) from the perspective of Alibaba Cloud（阿里云） strengths when conducting IT business in China.
* Information as of October 2025.
Table of Contents
When offering web services for IT business in China, an ICP License must be required.
Under China’s laws and regulations, an “ICP License” is required for using or providing internet-based web services such as corporate websites, e-commerce sites, and social games.
There are two main types of ICP License.
〇 Applicable to: Applicable to: Enterprises that build and publish websites on mainland China servers (including corporate websites and other sites, regardless of whether they generate revenue)
〇 Requirements: Obtain an ICP filing number and complete public security filing.
* Public security filing refers to “Internet Website Security Filing,” overseen by the Ministry of Public Security’s Cyber Security Bureau. All ICP-filed websites (including personal and corporate sites) must apply. Its main purposes are to verify the legality of site content, protect user data security, and clarify the security responsibilities of site operators.
〇 Applicable to: Enterprises providing profitable services via the internet in mainland China, such as e-commerce sites and social games.
〇 Requirements: In addition to obtaining an ICP filing number and completing public security filing, an ICP license is required.
The usage conditions and procedures for “Non-commercial ICP Filing” and “Commercial ICP License” differ as outlined above.
Non-commercial ICP Filing includes news sites, bulletin board services, and blog sites, though these uses require separate reviews.
A key factor in determining which ICP qualification applies is whether the website has “online payment” functionality. If a website includes online payment features, a “Commercial ICP License” is required.
As mentioned, non-commercial ICP Filing is a mandatory pre-filing procedure for all websites hosted on mainland China servers. In recent years, obtaining an ICP filing number and completing public security filing have become paired requirements.
In China, any website (including web systems and applications) intended for public access on the internet cannot be published online at all without completing non-commercial ICP Filing.
Publishing a website without non-commercial ICP Filing may result in service suspension or penalties.
The above outlines the process for non-commercial ICP Filing and public security filing.
* 1. Domains must be purchased or obtained through a Chinese registrar
* 2. Labeling must follow the specified format
As part of China’s telecommunications licensing system, enterprises are required to obtain a Commercial ICP License (Telecommunications and Information Services Business License) to operate profitable internet-based businesses such as SaaS, ASP, e-commerce, and games.
However, foreign companies cannot directly obtain a commercial ICP license. To operate such businesses in China, they must either partner with a local company or establish a local subsidiary.
* Currently, only in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hainan, wholly foreign-owned enterprises can apply for a commercial ICP license.
As mentioned, on Alibaba Cloud, you can apply for an ICP License through the cloud console.
* The application interface is available only in Chinese, and the application form must also be filled out in Chinese.
| Reference URL | https://beian.aliyun.com/?spm=a2cmq.17630022.0.0.7ab879fe1yPBx2 |
| Question | Answer |
| ① We plan to create a corporate website in China. Can we use the same domain as our Japan or overseas sites? | No. Domains registered with Japanese or overseas registrars cannot be directly used in China.
To publish a website in China, non-commercial ICP Filing and public security registration are mandatory, which require acquiring a new domain through a Chinese registrar. |
| ② If we set up a server in China Hong Kong, do we need to obtain a non-commercial ICP license? | Since Hong Kong is a “SAR (Special Administrative Region)” the “Administrative Measures for Internet Information Services” do not apply. Therefore, filing a non-commercial ICP license is not required.
Moreover, since internet access from Hong Kong to mainland China is relatively smooth, in cases where filing a non-commercial ICP license is difficult, Hong Kong is sometimes chosen as an intermediary location. |
| ③ Want to distribute an online game currently available in Japan to China. What licenses are needed? | Distributing online games in China requires multiple operating licenses, which are effectively not open to foreign enterprises, making direct operation by foreign entities highly challenging.
Most foreign enterprises collaborate with Chinese partners holding the required licenses to distribute games. In such cases, software copyrights in China are sometimes transferred to the Chinese partner to obtain distribution approval. |
| ④ We are considering launching an e-commerce website in China. Which type of ICP license is required? | If you build your own e-commerce website in China and sell products, a commercial ICP license is required because the site involves online payments and revenue.The same applies to websites developed as WeChat mini programs.
However, if you operate through a Chinese e-commerce platform (e.g., Tmall, Taobao), the platform already holds a commercial ICP license, so you do not need to obtain one separately. |
| ⑤ Can we obtain an ICP license and publish a website in China without a local legal entity? | No, a local Chinese legal entity or a registered business establishment in China is required. |
This was about the ICP license, which is essential for IT businesses and web services in China.
For companies planning to offer web services or build and operate servers in China, consider using Alibaba Cloud.
For website creation, server construction/operation
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