Trademark Class 4: Industrial Oils and Fuels
Class 4 covers industrial oils and greases, wax, lubricants, fuels, illuminants, and candles and wicks for lighting. Engine-oil brands, fuel suppliers and candle makers file here.
What class 4 covers
Class 4 of the Nice Classification covers: “Industrial oils and greases, wax; lubricants; dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions; fuels and illuminants; candles and wicks for lighting.”” This is the official heading in the current edition, NCL 13-2026, in force since 1 January 2026.
WIPO’s explanatory note says class 4 mainly covers industrial oils and greases, fuels and illuminants. It also includes some items people do not expect: oils for preserving masonry or leather, raw and industrial wax, electrical energy, motor fuels and biofuels, non-chemical additives for fuels, and wood for use as fuel.
Section 7 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 has the Registrar classify goods in line with this international system. Burnt, used to lubricate, or sold as energy? Start with class 4.
Common goods in class 4
Oils and lubricants
- Engine and motor oil
- Industrial oils and greases
- Lubricants for machinery
Fuels and energy
- Petrol, diesel and kerosene
- Biofuels and fuel briquettes
- Coal and firewood
Wax and lighting
- Raw and industrial wax
- Candles
- Wicks for candles
What is not in class 4
Wax and oil turn up in several classes. The exceptions:
| Goods | Correct class |
|---|---|
| Tanning oils and grafting wax | Class 1 |
| Wood-preserving oils and anti-rust oils | Class 2 |
| Polishing wax, tailors’ wax and depilatory wax | Class 3 |
| Dental wax | Class 5 |
| Sealing wax | Class 16 |
| Wicks for oil stoves | Class 11 |
| Wicks for cigarette lighters | Class 34 |
Who usually files in class 4
Lubricant and engine-oil brands
Blenders and sellers of motor oils and greases for vehicles and factories.
Fuel and energy businesses
Biofuel and briquette makers, fuel distributors, and businesses supplying electrical energy.
Candle and wax makers
Makers of household, decorative and festive candles and suppliers of industrial wax.
Tips before filing
Search the register in class 4
Run a search on the IP India register in class 4 and nearby classes. The free search at tmrsearch.ipindia.gov.in takes one class at a time.
Pin down what the wax or oil is for
The same base material can sit in class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 depending on its use. Describe the end use, not just “oil” or “wax”. A Faridabad workshop selling engine oil and a car polishing wax under one name, for example, files in class 4 and class 3.
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
Which class does wax go in?
Raw wax and industrial wax are class 4, but wax made for a specific use moves out. Polishing wax, tailors’ wax and depilatory wax go to class 3, dental wax to class 5, sealing wax to class 16 and grafting wax to class 1. Candles stay in class 4, while massage candles go to class 3 or class 5. Tell us what your wax product does and we will match it to the right class.
Do I need classes other than class 4?
You need another class only if the brand covers goods outside class 4. A single application can cover several classes under Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, with the fee paid per class. A lubricant company selling chemical fuel additives should look at class 1, and one selling anti-rust sprays at class 2. A candle maker selling holders or gift sets may need more classes.
What is the government fee to file a trademark in class 4?
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 4 plus one more class means two fees. We confirm your category before filing, so you pay the right amount.
Can I file in class 4 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 4 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?
Tell us what you blend, burn or pour, and we will confirm the class, search the register and file your class 4 application.