July 18th, 2026 shadmin
A .cn domain signals to Chinese users, and to Baidu, that your site is legitimately built for the local market. It also tends to perform better in local search results than a generic .com. The process is more paperwork-heavy than registering a Western domain, but it’s manageable if you know the steps. Here’s what’s involved.
1. Confirm Your Eligibility
Foreign companies can register .cn domains — this restriction was lifted years ago — but you’ll need to go through a registrar that supports international applicants and be prepared to submit business verification documents. Individual (non-business) registrations are generally not available to foreign applicants.
2. Choose an Accredited Registrar
Not every domain registrar handles .cn registrations. You’ll need one accredited by CNNIC (China Internet Network Information Centre) or a partner reseller that works with foreign businesses. Look for a registrar experienced specifically with foreign applicants, since the verification process differs from domestic registrations.
3. Prepare Your Business Documentation
Chinese domain registration requires real-name verification. As a foreign business, you’ll typically need:
- A copy of your company’s business registration/incorporation certificate
- Notarized or apostilled translation of that certificate into Chinese (requirements vary by registrar)
- A copy of the authorized applicant’s passport or ID
- A completed domain registration application form
Some registrars can help facilitate translation and notarization as part of the registration package.
4. Submit Your Application
Once your documents are ready, your registrar submits them along with your desired domain name for CNNIC review. Unlike .com registrations, .cn domains go through a manual verification process rather than instant activation.
5. Wait for Verification
Approval typically takes a few business days, though it can take longer if additional documentation is requested. Common causes of delay include mismatched company names between documents, missing notarization, or an registrar unfamiliar with foreign paperwork.
6. Complete ICP Filing (If Hosting in China)
Registering the domain and hosting in mainland China are two separate processes. If you plan to host your site on mainland servers, you’ll also need to complete an ICP filing tied to that domain — a separate step with its own documentation requirements. If you’re hosting outside mainland China (e.g., Hong Kong), ICP filing generally isn’t required, but the domain purchase process itself remains the same.
7. Set Up DNS and Launch
Once the domain is approved and active, you can point it to your hosting provider like any other domain — updating nameservers or A records as needed. If this domain will run alongside an existing site (e.g., a .com), plan your redirect and localization strategy at this stage rather than after launch.
The .cn registration process takes longer than a typical domain purchase due to the verification requirements, so it’s worth starting well ahead of your planned launch date. Working with a registrar experienced in handling foreign business applications is the biggest factor in avoiding delays.
Posted in Domain Names | No Comments »
September 27th, 2012 shadmin
SinoHosting can now register .cn domain names for its global clients. As long as you have a company legally registered, and can provide a scan copy of the company’s business license, you can register your .cn domain name.
The registration fee is still the same at RMB180.
The Management
SinoHosting.net
Posted in Domain Names | Comments Off on Dot cn domains now available worldwide (for registered companies)
August 28th, 2012 shadmin
Companies incorporated in Hong Kong can now register .cn domain names through SinoHosting. You will need to provide only a copy of a valid BR of the Hong Kong entity. Registration takes 7 days and the domain can be hosted in Hong Kong or overseas, but not in mainland China due to the ICP licensing requirements.
The cost of the registration is RMB180.
The Management
SinoHosting.net
Posted in Domain Names | Comments Off on Dot cn domains can now be registered by Hong Kong companies
March 31st, 2012 shadmin
Due to the additional work required in the registration process for .cn domain names, starting from April 1st, 2012, .cn domain names registration prices are increased from the current RMB125/year to RMB180/year. This applies to .cn, .com.cn, .net.cn, .org.cn and all other .cn related domains. The same price is valid for domain transfers and domain renewals.
The Management
SinoHosting.net
Posted in Domain Names | Comments Off on Dot cn price increase
January 16th, 2012 shadmin
We are currently able to assist in the registration of .cn domain names without an ICP license. The domain can be used with our international hosting packages (US, UK, Singapore or Hong Kong). The .cn is still however still restricted to Chinese companies. The application takes seven days and the following documents must be provided (scans of the originals):
-Enterprise license code certificate (mainland China-registered company)
-ID card (must be Chinese national)
Should you have any question on this, please contact our sales department at sales at sinohosting.net
The Management
www.sinohosting.net
Posted in Domain Names | Comments Off on Dot cn domain registration now possible without an ICP license
February 5th, 2011 shadmin
We are pround to announce the launch of our domain name platform domains.sinohosting.net ; from now on, all international domains will be registered through that new platform. This includes the following extensions: .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .in, .tv, .asia, .eu, .me
The new platform, named SinoHosting Domains, is more integrated to our biling system, and provides more control to clients over their domains. Clients can directly edit their domain ownership information, update nameservers or contact details without needing our assistance. The new platform also comes with a full DNS management system, which can be useful for clients hosting their website or email system elsewhere, or clients using Google Apps for emails while using our servers to hosting their website etc.
A major advantage of the new platform also is that it allows us to provide private registration completely free of charge.
We will be migrating previously registered domains to the new platform as they come to be renewed. For any questions about this new platform, please make sure to open a support ticket through our website.
The Management
SinoHosting.net
Posted in Domain Names | Comments Off on New domain name platform at sinohosting.net
January 25th, 2011 shadmin
We are happy to announce the following update to our domain name prices:
1) .hk and .com.hk: now reduced to RMB250/year
2) .asia and .eu: now reduced to RMB150/year
3) .tv: now reduced to RMB250/year
4) .mobi: increased to RMB150/year (due to changes of prices at registrar)
Other domains are still available at the old prices. Click here for the full pricelist.
We will be launching in the next few days a new domain name portal which will enable our customers to manage their domains directly, set up nameservers, manage nameservers, edit contact information etc. without the need for our technicians to assist. Additional extensions (including .co, .cn.com, .in, .cc etc.) will also be available. Check back later for details.
The Management
www.sinohosting.net
Posted in Domain Names | Comments Off on Domain name pricing update
September 16th, 2010 shadmin
Following a notice from the CNNIC, domestic registrars are currently investigating .cn domain names in order to make sure owners have provided the required documentation. In January this year we have sent mails to all our clients to request them to provide both their passport copy and copy of business license (when applicable) in order to comply with the CNNIC requirements. If you have registered a .cn domain name with us and your site has stopped resolving then it means you haven’t sent us the documents or these documents have not been accepted as valid by the registrar. Such domains show “ClientHold” as status when doing a whois search instead of the normal value (“OK”).
In case you are concerned by the situation above, please send immediately to our support email:
-The passport copy of your registrant (the registrant would be the client who purchased the domain name from us, which you can also verify by doing a whois search)
-A scan copy of your business license or certificate of incorporation (if domain was registered for a company).
As soon as we receive these documents we will transfer them to the appropriate registrar for the domain name to be reactivated.
For any questions on the above issue, you can email to our support department or open a support ticket using your client details.
Posted in Domain Names | Comments Off on Crackdown on non-verified .cn domain names
March 9th, 2010 shadmin
Chinese domain names registration is now restricted to local Chinese companies. Foreign registrars which used to resell .cn domains are now prevented to do so, and Chinese registrars do not accept foreign applicants for these domains.
The law that prevented individuals to register .cn has been somewhat waived on February 8th. However, it appears applicants, who must be Chinese citizens, must show up in person with the ID card and photo, to the CNNIC office or their service provider for “authentication” before they are able to register their domains.
Posted in Domain Names | Comments Off on Updates on Chinese domain names registration
January 11th, 2010 shadmin
Due to a decision by our registrar, we are temporarily suspending dot cn domain name registration. This is a consequence of the tougher restrictions and registration process that were enabled by the CNNIC last month. We hope that restrictions will be somewhat relaxed after the Chinese New Year holiday or later in the year. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
The Management
www.sinohosting.net
Posted in Company News, Domain Names | Comments Off on Suspension of dot cn registrations
