20May, 2025
Class 13 Trademark Registration: Fees, Documents & Timeline Explained (2025 Guide)

In a market filled with competition and innovation, trademark registration is more than just a legal formality—it’s a vital shield for your brand identity. For businesses dealing with firearms, ammunition, explosives, or fireworks, protecting your product name or logo under the right trademark class is critical. That’s where Trademark Class 13 comes in.

Whether you are a manufacturer of rifles, an exporter of ammunition, or a seller of fireworks, you must secure your brand under Class 13 to prevent unauthorized use and build long-term brand value.

In this detailed blog, we’ll break down:

  • What Trademark Class 13 covers
  • Government and professional registration fees
  • Documents you’ll need to submit
  • The exact timeframe for getting your trademark registered

Let’s get started.

🔫 What is Trademark Class 13?

Trademark Class 13 is a specific category within the Nice Classification system used in India and globally to categorize goods and services for trademark purposes.

✅ Class 13 covers:

  • Firearms: Pistols, rifles, revolvers, shotguns, airguns
  • Ammunition and projectiles: Bullets, cartridges, shells
  • Explosives: Gunpowder, detonators, blasting caps
  • Fireworks: Crackers, sparklers, pyrotechnic devices

This class is designed for dangerous, regulated goods. It is essential that your brand be properly categorized here if you’re involved in the arms and ammunition sector or related products.

🧠 Why is Class 13 Trademark Registration Important?

When you’re operating in a high-risk and sensitive product segment like firearms and explosives, a registered trademark under Class 13 does more than just create brand identity.

Key benefits:

  • Exclusive usage rights over your brand name and logo
  • Legal protection against counterfeiters and copycats
  • Increases credibility during government contracts or tenders
  • Prevents trademark infringement in India
  • Adds value during licensing or brand sale
  • Helps you register globally under the Madrid Protocol

💰 Trademark Class 13 Registration Fees in India (2025 Update)

The registration cost depends on who is applying: an individual/startup or a company. You also need to account for both government and optional professional charges.

🏛️ Government Trademark Filing Fees

Applicant TypeFees (per class per mark)
Individual / Startup / MSME₹4,500 (E-filing)
Other entities (Company/LLP/Partnership)₹9,000 (E-filing)

Note: You must submit proper MSME or Startup India documentation to claim the discounted fee. Otherwise, you’ll pay the full ₹9,000.

👨‍💼 Professional Charges (Optional)

Hiring a trademark expert or legal agency helps reduce errors and delays. Their service charges vary from ₹1,500 to ₹5,000+, depending on:

  • Trademark search & analysis
  • Filing TM-A form
  • Responding to examination reports
  • Handling legal objections or hearings
  • Follow-up till registration

You may DIY, but hiring professionals is highly recommended for Class 13 due to the regulated nature of firearms and explosives.

📋 Required Documents for Trademark Class 13 Registration

Trademark registration is a legal process, so submitting the right documents is essential for approval without objections or delays.

Here is a comprehensive list of documents needed:

1️⃣ Trademark Details

  • Trademark Name (Wordmark): The brand name you want to register
  • Logo/Device Mark (if applicable): High-quality JPEG image (max 2MB)
  • Trademark Description: What the mark signifies (brand name, product, etc.)

2️⃣ Identity Proof of the Applicant

For Individuals:

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Passport (optional for address proof)

For Companies:

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • PAN Card of the company
  • Board Resolution (if needed)
  • ID proof of the authorized signatory

For Partnership or LLP:

  • Partnership Deed / LLP Agreement
  • PAN of the firm
  • ID proof of partners

3️⃣ Business Proof for Discounted Fee

If applying under the ₹4,500 fee category:

  • Udyam MSME Registration Certificate
  • Startup India DIPP Certificate

Without this, you’ll be charged ₹9,000.

4️⃣ Address Proof of Business

  • Utility bill or electricity bill (not older than 3 months)
  • GST registration certificate
  • Rent agreement (if rented premises)

5️⃣ Power of Attorney – Form TM-48

If you’re using a trademark agent or legal firm, you must authorize them using Form TM-48, duly signed and submitted.

6️⃣ Signed Application Form – TM-A

This is the official trademark registration form that includes:

  • Details of the applicant
  • Details of the trademark
  • Classification (Class 13 in this case)
  • Mode of usage (proposed or in use)

🕒 Trademark Class 13 Registration Timeframe – Step-by-Step Process

While the process seems simple on paper, it includes several stages that can affect how quickly your mark is registered.

Let’s look at the timeline in detail:

🪜 Step-by-Step Timeline Breakdown

StageEstimated Time
Trademark Search & Consultation1–2 Days
Filing of TM-A Application1 Day
Receipt of TM NumberImmediate (after e-filing)
Examination by Registry30–90 Days
Reply to Examination Report (if any)Within 30 Days of issuance
Hearing (if required)As scheduled by Registry
Advertisement in Trademark JournalAfter acceptance
Opposition Period4 Months
Trademark Registration CertificateIf no opposition, within 1–2 months

⏳ Total Estimated Time:

✅ Without any objection or opposition: 6 to 10 months
⚠️ With objection: Add 2–3 months
🚫 With opposition: Add 6–12 months

📌 Tips to Speed Up Class 13 Trademark Approval

Class 13 covers sensitive items like weapons and explosives. Applications in this category often face stricter scrutiny. Follow these tips to avoid delays:

  • Ensure accurate product description under Class 13
  • Avoid use of national emblems, flags, or military names (unless authorized)
  • Don’t use generic or common industry terms as trademarks
  • Conduct a comprehensive trademark search to avoid clashes with existing marks
  • Hire a legal expert for handling objections or hearings

🔍 How to Conduct a Trademark Search for Class 13?

Before filing, it’s crucial to verify that no similar mark exists in Class 13.

Steps to Perform a Search:

  1. Go to the IP India Public Search Tool
  2. Choose “Trademark”
  3. Select Class 13
  4. Enter your proposed trademark in the “Wordmark” field
  5. Search for exact and similar results

If your brand name or logo is already registered or under objection, you should tweak or rebrand before applying.

⚖️ Trademark Objections in Class 13: What Happens Next?

If the Trademark Registry finds an issue, they will raise an Examination Report, which may object under:

  • Section 9: Lack of distinctiveness (e.g., too generic or descriptive)
  • Section 11: Conflicts with an already existing trademark

You must submit a written response within 30 days from the date of objection. In some cases, a hearing is scheduled for further clarification.

🔁 Trademark Renewal Timeline and Fees

Once your Class 13 trademark is registered, it remains valid for 10 years from the date of application.

Renewal Process:

  • File Form TM-R before 6 months of expiry
  • Government renewal fees:
    • ₹4,500 (Individual/MSME/Startup)
    • ₹9,000 (Company or others)

If you miss the deadline, you get a 12-month grace period with a late fee. Beyond that, your trademark becomes abandoned, and you’ll have to re-register.

🚀 Final Thoughts

Registering your trademark under Class 13 is not just a legal process—it’s a business necessity, especially when you’re dealing with firearms, explosives, or fireworks. It gives your brand legal ownership, commercial credibility, and protection in a competitive and highly regulated industry.

Knowing the fees, keeping your documents ready, and understanding the processing timeline will help you register smoothly without surprises or costly delays.

🏆 Get Expert Help with Class 13 Trademark Registration

At VMK Professionals, we specialize in trademark registration for regulated industries like arms and ammunition. Our legal experts ensure:

  • Accurate documentation
  • Fast filing with IP India
  • Objection and opposition handling
  • Transparent pricing and timely support

📞 Contact us today to start your Class 13 trademark registration and secure your brand identity for the long run.