How to choose trademark classes: table of 45 Nice classes with examples by industry
A table of 45 trademark classes under the Nice classification, 5 steps to choose the right classes, industry examples and common mistakes. Know how many classes to register before you file.
Choosing trademark classes decides which products and services your trademark protects. If you choose too few, others can still register the same name in the areas you missed. If you choose too many, you pay for classes you never use. This article has a table of all 45 classes, five steps to choose classes and examples by industry so you know how many classes you need.
What are trademark classes?
When registering a trademark, you must list the products and services that carry it and place them into classes under the Nice International Classification. The classification has 45 classes: classes 1 to 34 are goods and classes 35 to 45 are services.
A trademark is protected only for the products and services listed in the application. That is why two businesses can use the same name in two entirely different fields, as long as consumers are not confused.
The Nice Classification is updated periodically by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). When filing, product and service names must follow the version currently applied by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam.
Table of 45 Trademark Classes
The table below summarizes each class for easy lookup. When preparing the application, each product is checked against the detailed list of the Nice Classification.
Classes 1 to 34: Goods
| Package | Main products |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chemicals for industry, science and agriculture; fertilizers; industrial adhesives |
| 2 | Paints, varnishes, rust preventives; dyes, printing inks |
| 3 | Cosmetics, perfumes, shampoos, essential oils; laundry detergents, cleaning agents |
| 4 | Industrial oils and greases, fuels; candles |
| 5 | Pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, disinfectants, pesticides; diapers, sanitary pads |
| 6 | Common metals and alloys; metal building materials; safes, hardware |
| 7 | Machines, machine tools, engines; agricultural machinery |
| 8 | Hand tools: knives, scissors, screwdrivers, razors; cutlery |
| 9 | Computers, phones, downloadable software and apps; measuring and electronic devices; eyewear |
| 10 | Medical and dental devices and instruments; artificial limbs; massage machines |
| 11 | Lighting, heating, cooking, refrigeration, air-conditioning and water supply equipment; sanitary equipment |
| 12 | Vehicles and means of transport: cars, motorbikes, bicycles, boats; vehicle parts |
| 13 | Firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks |
| 14 | Gold and silver, precious metals, jewelry, watches |
| 15 | Musical instruments |
| 16 | Paper, cardboard, books, publications, stationery; paper packaging |
| 17 | Rubber, semi-finished plastics; insulating materials; non-metal flexible pipes |
| 18 | Leather, imitation leather; handbags, backpacks, wallets, suitcases; umbrellas; pet clothing |
| 19 | Non-metal building materials: bricks, cement, stone, wooden doors, building glass |
| 20 | Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; pillows, mattresses; items of wood, bamboo or plastic not classed elsewhere |
| 21 | Household and kitchen utensils, dishes, cups; glassware, ceramics; brushes |
| 22 | Ropes, tents, sacks; stuffing materials; raw textile fibers |
| 23 | Yarns and threads for textile use |
| 24 | Fabrics and textiles; bed linen, fabric curtains, towels |
| 25 | Clothing, footwear, headwear |
| 26 | Lace, ribbons, buttons, zippers; wigs; artificial flowers |
| 27 | Carpets, mats, floor coverings; wallpaper |
| 28 | Toys, games; sports and fitness equipment |
| 29 | Meat, fish, eggs, milk and dairy products; processed fruit and vegetables, canned food; cooking oil |
| 30 | Coffee, tea, cocoa; rice, noodles, bakery and confectionery; spices, sauces |
| 31 | Fresh farm produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, seeds, seedlings; live animals; animal feed |
| 32 | Beer, mineral water, soft drinks, fruit juices |
| 33 | Alcoholic beverages other than beer: wine, spirits |
| 34 | Tobacco, e-cigarettes; smokers' articles; matches |
Classes 35 to 45: Services
| Package | Main services |
|---|---|
| 35 | Advertising, business management, accounting; retail and wholesale services |
| 36 | Insurance, finance, banking; real estate trading and brokerage |
| 37 | Construction, repair, installation, maintenance |
| 38 | Telecommunications, data transmission, streaming |
| 39 | Transport, delivery, packaging, storage; travel arrangement |
| 40 | Material processing and treatment; printing; made-to-order tailoring; waste treatment |
| 41 | Education, training; entertainment, sports, culture; event organization |
| 42 | Design, programming, online software services; scientific and technological research |
| 43 | Restaurants, cafés; hotels, guesthouses |
| 44 | Medical, dental, cosmetic and spa services; veterinary; agriculture, gardening |
| 45 | Legal, security and protection services; personal and social services |
5 Steps to Choose Trademark Classes
- List your products and services. Write down what you sell now and will definitely sell in the next 2 to 3 years. Do not include ideas that have no plan behind them.
- Separate goods and services. A bakery that makes bread to sell has goods in class 30. If it also has seating to serve customers, add services in class 43.
- Place each item in a class. Base it on the product's main purpose. Raw materials are classed by material. A part used for only one product goes in the same class as that product. Multi-purpose goods may need to be registered in several classes.
- Search for trademarks in those classes. Check whether an identical or similar trademark already exists. You can run a preliminary search yourself by following the guide on our trademark search page.
- Decide based on your budget. Register the class that generates your main revenue first, and add expansion classes later. Each class has a base fee covering up to 6 products or services; additional fees apply from the 7th product in the same class, so list only what you really need.
How Many Classes Should You Register?
- 1 class: a business with one clear product line or service, for example a training center that needs only class 41.
- 2 to 3 classes: the most common case, usually a product class plus retail services, or services plus products under the same trademark.
- From 4 classes: a business with many product lines. Consider registering in phases if you do not yet operate in all of those areas.
Do not register a class you have no plan to use. A trademark that is not used continuously for 5 years may be subject to a request for termination as to the unused part. For the cost by number of classes, from 1 to 10 classes, see our trademark registration service page.
Examples of Choosing Trademark Classes by Industry
The examples below are for reference only. The actual number of classes depends on your specific products and services.
| Industry | Commonly Chosen Classes | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Cafés, bubble tea shops | 43, 30, 32 | Café services fall under class 43. Packaged coffee and tea add class 30; bottled drinks add class 32. |
| Restaurants, hotels | 43, 39 | Accommodation and food services fall under class 43. Add class 39 if you organize tours. |
| Fashion | 25, 18, 35 | Clothing and footwear fall under class 25; bags and wallets under class 18; add class 35 if you run retail stores. |
| Cosmetics | 3, 35, 44 | Products fall under class 3; retail under class 35; add class 44 if you run a spa. |
| Food, specialty products | 29, 30, 31 | Depends on the product: processed meat and dairy fall under class 29; confectionery and spices under class 30; fresh produce under class 31. |
| Dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals | 5, 35 | Products fall under class 5; retail chains under class 35. |
| Software, apps | 9, 42 | Downloadable apps fall under class 9; online software under class 42. |
| E-commerce platforms | 35, 42 | Sales services and connecting buyers with sellers fall under class 35; online platforms under class 42. |
| Training centers | 41, 16 | Training falls under class 41; add class 16 if you publish printed course materials. |
| Clinics, aesthetics | 44, 3, 10 | Services fall under class 44; private-label care products under class 3; equipment under class 10. |
| Construction, interior design | 37, 42, 20 | Construction falls under class 37; design under class 42; furniture manufacturing under class 20. |
| Real estate | 36, 37 | Brokerage, leasing and management fall under class 36; add class 37 if you also build. |
| Transport, delivery | 39 | Transport, storage and packaging fall under class 39. |
| Legal and accounting consulting | 45, 35 | Legal services fall under class 45; accounting and business management under class 35. |
Common Mistakes When Choosing Trademark Classes
- Confusing manufacturing with selling. Selling goods for others is a service in class 35, while products bearing your trademark fall under the class of those goods. If you both manufacture and retail, you may need both.
- Being too vague. Phrases such as "consumer goods" or "commercial services" are not specific enough. The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam may require you to amend the application or reclassify it, in which case you must pay an additional classification fee and the process takes longer.
- Thinking only about the present. If your business is about to expand into a new area and you do not plan ahead, someone else may register the same name for that area first.
- Planning to add classes after filing. The list of products and services generally cannot be expanded after filing. If you need an additional class, you must file a new application, and the priority date for that part runs from the new application.
Need HDS to Review Your Trademark Class Selection?
Just send us your trademark name and a list of your products and services. HDS lawyers run a free preliminary search, recommend suitable classes and quote the costs before filing. See details on our trademark registration page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many classes are there in trademark registration?
The Nice Classification has 45 classes: classes 1 to 34 are goods and classes 35 to 45 are services.
How many classes can one trademark application cover?
One application can cover several classes, and fees are charged per class. HDS publishes costs for 1 to 10 classes on the trademark registration service page.
How many products can each class cover?
The basic fee for each class covers up to 6 products or services. From the 7th product in the same class, the state charges an additional fee per product.
What if I choose the wrong class?
The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam may reclassify or require you to amend the application. You must pay an additional classification fee and processing may take longer.
Which class does online selling fall under?
Retail services fall under class 35, and the products you sell fall under the class of each type of goods. If you operate an online platform, you may also need class 42.
Can I add classes after filing?
The list usually cannot be expanded after filing. If you need a new class, file a new application.
Legal basis
- Law on Intellectual Property 2005, most recently amended and supplemented by Law No. 131/2025/QH15
- International Classification of Goods and Services under the Nice Agreement
- Circular 263/2016/TT-BTC on industrial property fees and charges and amending documents
Content reviewed by Lawyer Đoàn Minh Đức (Director – Managing Lawyer); updated 6 Nov 2026.
This article is for reference only, based on regulations as of the update date. For advice on your specific case, please contact a lawyer.
