Trademark Class 3: Cosmetics and Cleaning Preparations
Class 3 covers non-medicated cosmetics and toiletries, perfumes, non-medicated toothpaste, laundry products and cleaning, polishing and abrasive preparations. Skincare, soap, perfume and detergent brands file here.
What class 3 covers
Class 3 of the Nice Classification covers: “Non-medicated cosmetics and toiletry preparations; non-medicated dentifrices; perfumes; bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; cleaning, polishing and abrasive preparations.”” This is the official heading in the current edition, NCL 13-2026, in force since 1 January 2026.
WIPO’s explanatory note says class 3 mainly covers non-medicated toiletry preparations and cleaning preparations for the home and other places. It also includes sanitary preparations that are toiletries, tissues soaked in cosmetic lotions, deodorants for people or animals, room fragrances, nail art stickers, polishing wax and sandpaper.
Section 7 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 has the Registrar classify goods in line with this international system. The word that decides most class 3 cases is “non-medicated”. Once a product claims to treat a condition, it moves towards class 5.
Common goods in class 3
Personal care
- Soaps, shampoos and face washes
- Creams, lotions and make-up
- Non-medicated toothpaste
Fragrance
- Perfumes and attars
- Deodorants for people and pets
- Room fragrances
Home cleaning and laundry
- Detergents and washing powders
- Floor and surface cleaners
- Bleaching preparations for laundry
What is not in class 3
These goods sit just outside class 3:
| Goods | Correct class |
|---|---|
| Medicated soaps, shampoos and toothpaste | Class 5 |
| Deodorants that are not for people or animals | Class 5 |
| Ingredients for making cosmetics | Class 1 |
| Degreasing preparations for manufacturing | Class 1 |
| Emery boards and sharpening stones | Class 8 |
| Make-up brushes and cleaning tools | Class 21 |
Who usually files in class 3
Skincare and beauty brands
Online brands, salon lines and herbal cosmetics makers.
Soap, detergent and cleaner makers
Manufacturers of bath soaps, washing powders, dishwash bars, floor cleaners and car-care polishes.
Perfume and incense businesses
Attar and perfume houses, agarbatti makers and room-fragrance brands.
Tips before filing
Search the register in class 3
Run a search on the IP India register in class 3 and nearby classes. The free search at tmrsearch.ipindia.gov.in takes one class at a time.
Decide early whether the product is medicated
If the label claims to treat dandruff, acne or an infection, the examiner may see it as class 5. Fix your claims and your class together. Here is the catch: a herbal face wash sold as treating acne may read as medicated, so settle the label wording before you file.
Write a specification you will actually use
List the goods you sell or plan to sell, in the Registry’s wording. Goods you never sell can be removed for non-use under Section 47 after five years on the register.
File Form TM-A and watch the examination
File online in Form TM-A. If the examiner raises an issue, a clear reply to the examination report keeps the application moving.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ayurvedic or herbal soap in class 3 or class 5?
It depends on whether it is medicated. A herbal soap sold for bathing and fragrance is class 3. A soap sold to treat a skin condition is a medicated soap, which WIPO places in class 5. Your label claims matter, so match the class to how you actually sell the product. Many herbal brands file in both classes to be safe, and we can tell you whether that makes sense for yours.
Do I need classes other than class 3?
You need another class only if the brand covers goods outside class 3. A single application can cover several classes under Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, with the fee paid per class. A cosmetics brand that also sells medicated creams adds class 5; one selling make-up brushes adds class 21; one running salons adds a services class.
What is the government fee to file a trademark in class 3?
The fee is ₹4,500 per class if you e-file as an individual, startup or small enterprise, and ₹9,000 per class for everyone else. Each class is charged separately, so class 3 plus one more class means two fees. We confirm your category before filing, so you pay the right amount.
Can I file in class 3 before I start selling?
Yes. Section 18(1) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 lets you apply for a mark that is used or proposed to be used. You file on a “proposed to be used” basis, and your application date fixes your place in the queue. Anyone filing a similar mark later stands behind you. Once sales begin, keep invoices and labels as proof of use.
How long does a class 3 registration last?
A registration lasts ten years and can be renewed every ten years without limit under Section 25 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. The ten years run from the application date, not the certificate date. Renewal is filed in Form TM-R, and a missed expiry can still be fixed within one year through surcharge or restoration.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
| Form TM-A, per class | E-filing | Paper filing |
|---|---|---|
| Individual, startup or small enterprise | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| All other applicants | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
Official IP India fees, charged per class.
Ready to begin?
Share your product range and label claims, and we will confirm class 3 or 5, run the search and file your application.