The .cn Domain: What It Is and How to Register a Chinese Domain Name

.cn is the country code top-level domain of China, run by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC). Individuals and organizations can register a .cn domain name through a registrar accredited by CNNIC, which checks the registrant’s identity documents. CNNIC counted 21.59 million .cn domains worldwide at the end of 2025.

Key takeaways

• .cn is China’s country code domain: CNNIC runs the registry, and accredited registrars sell the names on a first-come, first-served basis.
• CNNIC’s rules let natural persons, legal persons and unincorporated organizations apply, and every applicant goes through an identity check.
• Registering a .cn name does not replace the ICP filing: a website hosted in mainland China needs one, whatever its domain extension.
• Among the .cn domains registered in China at the end of 2025, 13.63 million were registered directly under .cn and 3.63 million under .com.cn.

Registering a .cn domain name has become a lot easier than it used to be. CNNIC, the registry that manages .cn domains, opened registration to any natural person or organization in May 2012, and its current registration rules date from 2019.

However, there are a few technicalities that you need to be aware of, since buying a .cn name is somewhat different from registering a .us, .co, .uk, .fr, or similar domain name from other countries.

We will now guide you through the process of registering a Chinese domain name. Throughout the discussion, we will address some critical points that can help you decide if you need a Chinese domain, and some of the benefits of registering your online business in China. If you also plan to host your website in China, our ICP license and China hosting consulting covers that next step.

What Is a .cn Domain Name and Who Can Buy It?

.cn is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) of China: the IANA root zone database lists it as a country-code domain managed by CNNIC, in Beijing. Considering the size of the Chinese audience and market, .cn is widely used: CNNIC counted 21.59 million .cn domain names worldwide at the end of December 2025, in its 57th Statistical Report on China’s Internet Development.

CNNIC operates and manages China’s national domain registry, and the registrars that sell .cn names must be accredited by it. Its implementing rules for China’s country code domains, in force since June 18, 2019, let natural persons, legal persons and unincorporated organizations apply, and they do not mention a nationality or residence condition. They follow the rules of May 2012, which opened registration to any natural person or organization able to bear civil liability.

However, even if you are allowed to buy the domain, it doesn’t mean that you can start to use it immediately. Before you can use it, there are some steps you must go through.

How to Register a .cn Domain

When this guide was first written in 2018, a new .cn domain could not be pointed to another name server until CNNIC had reviewed the registrant’s information: you could buy the domain at any time, but only use it once your identity had been verified. The principle remains: under the 2019 rules, the registrar must check that your identity documents are authentic, accurate and complete, and it must not register a domain whose information is false.

1. Choose a registrar accredited by CNNIC. Registration is handled, in principle, on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. Submit the application with your identity documents. You also commit to the authenticity, accuracy and completeness of the registration information.
3. Wait for the identity check. The registrar reviews your documents and sends them to CNNIC.
4. Prepare the next step. If the website will be hosted in mainland China, plan the ICP filing.

What Documents Did Registrars Ask For?

When this guide was first written in 2018, registrants typically had to provide the documents below. The exact list now depends on your registrar and on your registrant type, so check it before you apply.

For a Company Located Outside China

• Company’s registration certificate
• A copy of an identity card from the company’s representative (national ID, passport, driver’s license, and so on)
• A letter of Commitment with signature

For a Company Located in China

• A copy of a Chinese business license
• A copy of the Certificate of Organization Code (since the 2016 reform, its number is replaced by the unified social credit code on the business license)
• A copy of a Chinese Citizen National ID of the company’s representative

Individuals Not Located in China

• A copy of an identity card (national ID, driver’s license, passport, and so on)
• A signed copy of a “Letter of Commitment”

Among these documents was a “Letter of Commitment”, required at the time for websites that were not hosted in China. Written in both Chinese and English, it stated that the domain would not point to a website hosted in mainland China, and that the owner would complete the ICP filing if it ever did. It illustrates a rule that still applies: hosting a website in mainland China requires an ICP license or filing.

Wait for the Verification from CNNIC

In 2018, once the documents were submitted, the verification of your identity could take up to 15 days, although many applications were approved within a few days.

Why Choose a .cn Domain for China?

If you are serious about targeting the Chinese market, registering a .cn domain is advised.

When your website or Chinese e-commerce uses a .cn domain, it tells your audience that you are oriented towards the needs of the Chinese market. Therefore, having this kind of domain can facilitate your entry into the Chinese market, giving you an advantage to adapt to local culture.

Moreover, since you have to go through an identity check to register a .cn domain, it can add trust to your online business in the eyes of Chinese customers.

Another aspect that can help people trust your online business in China is that a .cn domain is governed by Chinese rules, from the Cybersecurity Law to CNNIC’s registration rules, which Chinese customers know.

A .cn name is also a natural choice if you host your website or Chinese e-commerce in China. Having an online business running on a local server is a smart move if you want to target the Chinese market extensively. Keep in mind that the domain extension does not replace the ICP filing: a website hosted in mainland China needs one, whether its domain ends in .cn or not, and you should also check whether you need a license to sell online in China.

Should You Host Your Website or Chinese E-commerce in China?

If China is the primary target of your website or e-commerce, using a Chinese hosting company has many advantages.

For instance, when your website is hosted in China it is easier to get past the Great Firewall of China and therefore your website will be considerably faster than the ones hosted outside the country. Speed is critical to ensure an excellent UX, and Chinese customers expect that.

Moreover, when your website or Chinese e-commerce is hosted inside the country, you can better reach your audience with strategies to attract Chinese buyers, such as local social media, and implement SEO strategies targeted to Baidu, the primary search engine in China.

However, the downside is that to host your website in China you need an ICP filing, the government registration that allows a company or individual to operate a website there. The process may be discouraging for foreign companies, and support from a local team makes it much simpler: our China website compliance consulting can help you with it.

What Should You Do Next?

If you are interested in registering a Chinese domain name, the procedure is quite simple and open to individuals and organizations.

However, registering a .cn domain name is only the first step. If you want to operate a website or e-commerce and be serious about targeting the Chinese market, there are additional steps to follow, as we have outlined. Given the size of the Chinese market and the growth of the local economy, an investment in this part of the world may return appealing results for your company.

QPSoftware, a digital agency in Shanghai, can help plan your entry into the Chinese market: registering a Chinese domain name, preparing the identity check and the ICP filing, and hosting your website, so that we make your website work in China.

Founded in 2009, QPSoftware has more than 15 years of experience with the Chinese market. Besides assisting you with administrative requirements, our international team can design and build your site through our China website design services. We know local customs and what Chinese users expect, and we will use that knowledge to your advantage. Contact us today, and we will be glad to discuss your project.

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