PSB Filing for Websites in China: Complete Guide

PSB filing (公安备案) is the registration of a website with China’s Public Security Bureau, the police authority. Every website hosted on a server in mainland China needs it, on top of the ICP filing, within 30 days of going live. The application is made online, in Chinese, and ends with a filing number displayed on the website.

Key takeaways

• PSB filing registers your website with the police; ICP filing, managed by MIIT, registers it with the telecom regulator. You need both, ICP first.
• The 30-day deadline comes from Article 12 of the security protection measures for international networking issued by the Ministry of Public Security in 1997 and revised in 2011.
• Failing to file can lead to a warning or a suspension of up to six months, under Article 23 of the same measures.
• Websites hosted outside mainland China, for example in Hong Kong or Singapore, do not need a PSB filing.
• Once approved, the PSB number and its shield badge (公网安备) must stay visible, usually in the footer next to the ICP number.

Operating a website in China involves adhering to specific regulations to ensure compliance with the country’s legal and cybersecurity frameworks. One of the critical requirements is PSB filing (short for Public Security Bureau filing, 公安备案). This guide explains what PSB filing is, who needs it, how it differs from ICP filing, and the steps to complete it correctly. Understanding this requirement is essential for any business hosting a website on mainland Chinese servers.

What Is PSB Filing?

PSB stands for Public Security Bureau, the national police authority in China. PSB filing, also called PSB registration (公安备案), is the process of registering your website with your local police bureau, so that authorities can monitor online activity and enforce cybersecurity regulations.

PSB filing (公安备案, badge text: 公网安备) is a mandatory filing and registration process for all websites hosted on servers within mainland China. It is administered by the local Public Security Bureau, part of China’s national police authority, which checks that online operations comply with the country’s cybersecurity and public security regulations.

The process involves registering your website’s details, including domain name, server location, IP address, and the contact information of the responsible person, with the local police department. Upon approval, a unique PSB filing number is issued, which must be displayed permanently on your website’s homepage as a clickable badge.

The legal basis is China’s Cybersecurity Law (2017), which requires website operators to register with the relevant public security authorities and cooperate with oversight mechanisms designed to prevent cybercrimes. The filing obligation itself, and its 30-day deadline, come from an older text: the Measures for the Security Protection Administration of International Networking of Computer Information Networks (Ministry of Public Security Order No. 33, 1997, revised in 2011).

Who Needs PSB Filing?

PSB filing (also referred to as PSB registration) is required for any website hosted on a server physically located within mainland China. This includes:

• Corporate websites and e-commerce platforms hosted in China
• Chinese-language portals and information services
• Websites that have already obtained an ICP license or ICP filing
• Mobile websites and web applications accessible via Chinese domains (.cn, .com.cn, etc.)

PSB filing is not required if your website is hosted outside mainland China, for example, on servers in Hong Kong, Singapore, or Europe. The ICP filing, for its part, is required for hosting in mainland China, and websites hosted elsewhere may load more slowly in China due to the Great Firewall.

For foreign companies operating through a local entity in China, PSB filing is a direct legal obligation once your website is live on a Chinese server. It applies regardless of your company’s nationality.

Difference Between PSB Filing and ICP Filing

While both PSB filing and ICP filing are mandatory for websites in China, they serve distinct purposes and are managed by different government bodies:

1. Administrative Authority:
   • ICP Filing: Managed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). It regulates website content and grants permission to operate online in China.
   • PSB Filing: Managed by the local Public Security Bureau. It focuses on public security and cybercrime prevention.
2. Purpose:
   • ICP Filing: Your license to operate a website in China.
   • PSB Filing: Your police registration, monitoring online activity to prevent illicit behavior.
3. Process Order: You must complete ICP filing before applying for PSB filing. A valid ICP certificate is a required document for the PSB application.
4. Compliance Display: ICP filing number appears in the footer as text. PSB filing requires the distinctive shield badge (公网安备) linked to the official verification page at beian.gov.cn.

In short: ICP filing is your license to operate. PSB filing is your registration with the police. Both are mandatory and neither substitutes for the other.

Why Apply for PSB Filing?

Applying for PSB filing is not only a legal obligation but also a step toward building a trustworthy online presence in China:

1. Legal Compliance: Operating without PSB filing can lead to fines, shutdowns, or legal action under China’s Cybersecurity Law.
2. Enhancing Credibility: Displaying the PSB badge demonstrates compliance with local laws, building trust with Chinese users and business partners.
3. Supporting Cybersecurity: Registration makes your website part of a monitored network aimed at reducing hacking, phishing, and online fraud.
4. Avoiding Service Interruptions: Non-compliant websites risk being blocked by authorities or losing access to Chinese hosting and domain renewal services.
5. Promoting Transparency: The badge signals that your website is accountable to regulatory authorities, which is valued highly in the Chinese digital market.

Steps to Complete PSB Filing

PSB filing is free of charge. There is no government fee to register. The process is handled entirely online, though the portal is available in Chinese only. Foreign companies typically need assistance from a local team, such as our China website compliance consulting service, to complete the application correctly.

⚠ The 30-Day Rule: Once your website goes live on a Chinese server, you have 30 days to complete your PSB filing, as set by Article 12 of the Ministry of Public Security measures quoted above. Missing this deadline can lead to a warning or a suspension of up to six months, under Article 23 of the same measures.

1. Prepare Required Documents:
   • A valid ICP filing certificate (required, you cannot apply for PSB filing without it)
   • A copy of the company’s business license (if applicable)
   • The ID card or passport of the person in charge of the website
   • Website details: domain name, server location, IP address
2. Access the PSB Filing Portal: Visit the national portal at www.beian.gov.cn (全国互联网安全管理服务平台) or your provincial PSB portal. Register for an account if you do not already have one.
3. Submit the Application: Fill in the required details and upload your documents. Double-check all information carefully, as errors cause delays and restart the timeline.
4. Verification Process: The Public Security Bureau will review your application, typically within 7 to 15 working days. They may request additional information or clarifications.
5. Receive the Filing Number: Upon approval, you will receive your PSB filing number. Display it on your website’s homepage immediately.
6. Keep Your Filing Updated: If you change your domain, server, IP address, or responsible contact person, you must update your PSB filing within 30 days of the change.

How to Display Your PSB Filing Badge

Once approved, displaying the badge is a legal requirement, not optional. Your badge must:

• Show the shield icon with the text 公网安备 (Public Network Security Filing)
• Display your unique filing number (format: province code + 8 digits, e.g. 沪公网安备 31010102001234号)
• Be a clickable link pointing to www.beian.gov.cn, so users can verify your registration
• Remain permanently visible, typically placed in the footer alongside your ICP number

Your PSB number is a unique identifier assigned to your website upon approval. It consists of a province code followed by 8 digits (for example, 沪公网安备 31010102001234号 for a Shanghai site). This PSB number must appear on the badge link in your footer and match the record on beian.gov.cn exactly.

A broken link, hidden badge, or outdated number can trigger a compliance review. Check your badge regularly to ensure it is functional.

How to Verify a Website’s PSB Filing

To check whether a website has completed PSB filing:

1. Look for the PSB Badge: Check the bottom of the website’s homepage for the shield icon and “公网安备” text with a unique number.
2. Use the Verification Portal: Visit www.beian.gov.cn, enter the filing number or domain name, and confirm the registration is active and valid.
3. Cross-Check Details: Verify that the information in the system matches the website’s domain and organization. Discrepancies may indicate non-compliance or fraud.
4. Verify Regularly: If you are auditing a partner’s or supplier’s compliance, check their PSB status periodically, as filings can lapse if details are not kept current.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to complete PSB filing can lead to serious repercussions:

1. Website Suspension: Authorities may block or take down the website, making it inaccessible to all users in China.
2. Penalties: For failing to file, Article 23 of the relevant regulations published by China’s cyberspace authority provides a warning or a suspension of up to six months. Other breaches of China’s cybersecurity rules carry their own penalties, which vary with the severity and duration of the violation.
3. Legal Liability: In extreme cases, operators whose websites facilitate illegal activities may face criminal charges.
4. Reputational Damage: Penalized websites suffer long-term trust damage with users and business partners.
5. Hosting and Domain Difficulties: Chinese hosting providers and domain registrars may refuse to renew or maintain services for non-compliant websites.

What Should You Do Next?

PSB filing is an essential compliance requirement for any website hosted within mainland China. While it may seem similar to ICP filing at first glance, it serves a unique purpose: ensuring public security through a police-administered registration system, backed by China’s Cybersecurity Law 2017.

The process is free, takes 7 to 15 working days, and must be completed within 30 days of your website going live. If you are a foreign company dealing with China’s web compliance requirements, our ICP license and China hosting consulting can save you time and costly mistakes, from the ICP filing to the hosting of your website in China.

For related reading, see our guides on ICP license basics and cloud hosting in China.

Frequently Asked Questions