The Regulations on the Administration of the Printing Industry are enacted to strengthen the management of the printing industry, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of printing industry operators and public interests, and promote the development of socialist spiritual and material civilization. These regulations apply to the printing activities of publications, packaging and decoration prints, and other printed materials. Adopted at the 43rd executive meeting of the State Council on July 26,2001, they came into effect on August 2, 2001. The regulations consist of seven chapters and forty-eight articles.
The Decision of the State Council on Amending Certain Administrative Regulations (State Council Decree No.666) was adopted at the 119th Executive Meeting of the State Council on January 13,2016, promulgated on February 6, 2016, and took effect immediately [1]. On March 1, 2017, the Decision of the State Council on Amending and Abolishing Certain Administrative Regulations (State Council Decree No.676) underwent its second revision [2]. On November 29,2020, the Decision of the State Council on Amending and Abolishing Certain Administrative Regulations (State Council Decree No.732) underwent its third revision [3].
Chinese name
regulations on printing industry
Decree of the State Council
No.315
Current version
29 November 2020 revision
catalogue
Content
. ▪ Chapter 1 General Provisions
. ▪ Chapter 2 Establishment of Printing Enterprises
. ▪ Chapter 3: Printing of Publications
. ▪ Chapter 4 Printing of Packaging and Decoration Materials
. ▪ Chapter 5: Printing of Other Printed Materials
. ▪ Chapter 6: Penalties
. ▪ Chapter 7 Supplementary Provisions
content
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1
These Regulations are formulated for the purpose of strengthening the administration of the printing industry, promoting the healthy development of printing activities, safeguarding the lawful rights and interests of printing business operators, and ensuring the dissemination of socialist spiritual civilization.
Article 2
For the purposes of these Regulations, “printing activities” refer to the reproduction of words, images, or other information carriers through printing, duplicating, photocopying, and other similar technical means.
These Regulations apply to all printing business activities conducted within the territory of the People’s Republic of China.
Article 3
Printing activities shall adhere to the direction of advanced socialist culture and must not produce printed materials containing any of the following content:
1. Content that opposes the basic principles established by the Constitution;
2. Content that endangers national unity, sovereignty, or territorial integrity;
3. Content that divulges state secrets, endangers national security, or harms national interests;
4. Content that incites ethnic hatred or discrimination, undermines ethnic unity, or infringes upon ethnic customs;
5. Content that promotes cults or superstition;
6. Content that disrupts social order or undermines social stability;
7. Content that propagates obscenity, pornography, gambling, violence, murder, or terror, or instigates criminal activity;
8. Content that insults or defames others or infringes upon the lawful rights and interests of others;
9. Other content prohibited by laws or administrative regulations.
Article 4
The State exercises classified administration over printing activities and implements a licensing system for printing business operations.
No entity or individual may engage in printing business activities without obtaining approval in accordance with the law.
Article 5
The publishing administrative department under the State Council is responsible for the supervision and administration of printing activities nationwide.
Publishing administrative departments of local people’s governments at or above the county level are responsible for the supervision and administration of printing activities within their respective administrative regions.
Public security organs, industrial and commercial administrative departments, and other relevant authorities shall, within the scope of their respective duties, cooperate in the administration of printing activities.
Article 6
The State encourages printing enterprises to adopt advanced technologies and equipment, improve product quality, enhance management standards, and increase overall competitiveness.
Article 7
Printing business operators shall conduct business activities in accordance with the law, adhere to the principles of honesty and good faith, and accept supervision by the publishing administrative departments and other relevant authorities.
Article 8
The lawful rights and interests of printing business operators are protected by law.
No organization or individual may unlawfully interfere with legitimate printing business activities.
Article 9
Printing business operators shall establish and improve internal management systems to ensure that printing activities comply with laws, regulations, and relevant administrative requirements.
Article 10
The State encourages industry self-regulatory organizations in the printing sector to carry out self-discipline management, provide services, and promote the orderly development of the printing industry.
Chapter II Establishment of Printing Business Operations
Article 11
Any entity seeking to engage in printing business activities shall meet the conditions prescribed by the State and obtain approval from the publishing administrative department of the people’s government at or above the county level, and shall complete registration with the industrial and commercial administrative department in accordance with the law.
Article 12
An entity applying to establish a printing business shall meet the following conditions:
1. Having a definite name and organizational structure;
2. Having fixed business premises suitable for the printing activities to be conducted;
3. Having printing equipment and technical personnel appropriate to the scope of its business;
4. Having sound management systems and quality assurance measures;
5. Meeting other conditions prescribed by laws, administrative regulations, or the State Council’s publishing administrative department.
Article 13
An applicant for establishment of a printing business shall submit the following materials to the publishing administrative department:
1. An application form;
2. Proof of business premises;
3. A list of printing equipment and technical personnel;
4. Articles of association or organizational charter;
5. Other documents required by laws or administrative regulations.
Article 14
Upon receipt of an application, the publishing administrative department shall conduct an examination and make a decision within 30 days.
Where the application meets the statutory conditions, approval shall be granted and a Printing Business License shall be issued. Where the application does not meet the statutory conditions, approval shall be denied and the applicant shall be notified in writing, with reasons stated.
Failure to make a decision within the prescribed time limit shall be deemed as approval.
Article 15
A printing business operator shall conduct business strictly within the scope approved by the publishing administrative department.
Any change to the name, legal representative or principal person in charge, registered address, business premises, scope of business, or termination of operations shall be reported to the original approving publishing administrative department for approval in accordance with relevant regulations.
Chapter III Printing of Publications
Article 16
The State encourages enterprises engaged in publishing and printing activities to timely produce publications that reflect outstanding cultural achievements from both domestic and international sources, and to give priority to the printing of classic works of traditional culture and valuable academic publications.
Article 17
Enterprises engaged in publication printing activities shall not print publications that are expressly prohibited by the State, nor shall they print publications issued by entities that do not possess publishing qualifications.
Article 18
For the printing of publications, the commissioning party and the printing enterprise shall conclude a printing contract in accordance with relevant national regulations.
Article 19
When a printing enterprise undertakes the printing of books or periodicals commissioned by a publishing entity, it shall verify and retain the official printing commission letter affixed with the publisher’s seal, and file it with the publishing administrative department of the people’s government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government where the publisher is located prior to printing.
Where the publisher is located outside the printing enterprise’s province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government, the printing commission letter shall also be filed in advance with the publishing administrative department of the printing enterprise’s所在地.
The format of the printing commission letter shall be uniformly prescribed by the publishing administrative department under the State Council, and the filing shall be uniformly handled by the publishing administrative departments of the people’s governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government.
When accepting commissions to print newspapers, printing enterprises shall verify the newspaper publishing license. When accepting commissions to print supplements or special issues of newspapers or periodicals, they shall also verify the approval documents issued by the competent publishing administrative department.
Article 20
When a printing enterprise undertakes the printing of internal publications, it shall verify the printing permit issued by the publishing administrative department of the local people’s government at or above the county level.
Where a printing enterprise accepts a commission to print internal publications containing religious content, it shall verify the approval documents issued by the religious affairs administrative department of the people’s government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government, as well as the printing permit issued by the corresponding publishing administrative department.
The publishing administrative department shall decide whether to issue the printing permit within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application and shall notify the applicant. Failure to make a decision within the prescribed time limit shall be deemed as approval.
Chapter III Printing of Publications (Continued)
Article 21
When a printing enterprise undertakes commissioned printing of overseas publications, it shall present lawful and valid documents proving copyright ownership or authorization, and shall obtain approval from the publishing administrative department of the people’s government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government.
All overseas publications printed on commission shall be transported out of the country and shall not be distributed or circulated within the territory.
Article 22
A printing enterprise entrusted with printing publications shall, in accordance with relevant state regulations, clearly indicate on the printed publications the following information:
1. The name and address of the publishing entity;
2. The book number, publication number, or edition number;
3. The publication date or issue number;
4. The true name and address of the printing enterprise undertaking the printing commission;
5. Other information required by the State.
Printing enterprises shall retain a sample copy of the commissioned publication for inspection for a period of two years from the date of completion of printing.
Article 23
Printing enterprises shall not engage in unauthorized reproduction of publications, nor shall they sell publications, conduct unauthorized additional print runs, or accept third-party commissions for additional printing of commissioned publications.
Printing enterprises shall not sell, lease, lend, or otherwise transfer the paper types, printing plates, or printing negatives of commissioned publications to any other entity or individual.
Article 24
Printing enterprises shall not subscribe to or sell publications, nor shall they print or sell publications under a false name or by misappropriating the name or identity of another entity or individual.
Chapter IV Printing of Packaging and Decoration Materials
Article 25
Enterprises engaged in the printing of packaging and decorative materials shall not produce counterfeit or forged registered trademark labels, nor shall they print advertising materials or packaging and decorative materials that may mislead consumers.
Article 26
When a printing enterprise accepts a commission to print registered trademark labels, it shall verify the photocopy of the Trademark Registration Certificate affixed with the seal of the administrative department for industry and commerce at or above the county level where the trademark registrant is located, and shall examine the registered trademark design provided by the commissioning party.
Where the commission is undertaken on behalf of a registered trademark licensee, the printing enterprise shall also verify the trademark licensing agreement.
The printing enterprise shall retain copies of the Trademark Registration Certificate, trademark design, and trademark licensing agreement, each affixed with the seal of the administrative department for industry and commerce, for a period of two years for inspection.
Where the State has other provisions regarding the printing of registered trademark labels, such provisions shall also be complied with.
Article 27
When a printing enterprise accepts commissioned printing of advertising materials or printed materials for product packaging and decoration, it shall verify the business license of the commissioning entity or the resident identity card of the individual.
Where advertising materials are commissioned by advertising operators, the printing enterprise shall also verify the advertising operation qualification certificate.
Article 28
When a printing enterprise undertakes commissioned printing of packaging and decorative materials, it shall deliver all printed items, including finished products, semi-finished products, defective products, printing plates, paper patterns, printing negatives, and original manuscripts, to the commissioning entity or individual, and shall not retain any of such items without authorization.
Article 29
Printing enterprises that undertake commissioned printing of overseas packaging and decorative materials shall file a record in advance with the publishing administrative department of the people’s government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government where they are located.
All overseas packaging and decorative materials printed on commission shall be exported and shall not be sold within the territory.
⸻
Chapter V Printing of Other Printed Materials
Article 30
The printing of documents, materials, charts, and other items marked with classification levels shall be conducted in accordance with relevant state laws, administrative regulations, and rules.
Chapter V Printing of Other Printed Materials (Continued)
Article 31
When commissioning the printing of notices, announcements, work permits for major events, passes, or tickets intended for public circulation, the commissioning entity shall provide the printing enterprise with a certification document issued by the competent authority. The printing enterprise shall verify the certification document and retain a copy for inspection for a period of two years.
The printing enterprise shall not subcontract the printing of the above-mentioned items to any third party.
For valuable or non-valuable tickets used internally by state organs, organizations, military units, or enterprises, as well as special certificates bearing the name of an organization—such as letters of introduction, work permits, membership cards, access permits, academic degree certificates, diplomas, or other educational credentials—the commissioning entity shall provide a printing authorization certificate, which the printing enterprise shall verify.
Printing enterprises shall not retain samples or sample sheets of the above two categories of printed materials. Where retention is genuinely necessary for business reference purposes, the consent of the commissioning entity shall be obtained. Any retained materials shall be clearly stamped “Sample” or “Sample Sheet” and shall be properly stored to prevent loss.
Article 32
When printing enterprises undertake commissioned printing of religious printed materials, they shall verify the approval documents issued by the religious affairs administrative department of the people’s government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government, as well as the printing permit issued by the corresponding publishing administrative department.
The publishing administrative department shall make a decision on whether to grant the printing permit within ten days from the date of receipt of the application and shall notify the applicant. Where no decision is made within the prescribed time limit, approval shall be deemed granted.
Article 33
Individuals engaged in other printing business activities shall not print documents, materials, charts, or other items marked with classification levels; shall not print notices, announcements, work permits for major events, passes, or tickets intended for public circulation; shall not print valuable or non-valuable tickets for internal use by state organs, organizations, military units, or enterprises; shall not print special certificates bearing organizational names, such as letters of introduction, work permits, membership cards, access permits, academic degree certificates, diplomas, or other educational credentials; and shall not print religious items.
Article 34
When other overseas printed materials are printed on commission, a prior filing shall be made with the publishing administrative department of the people’s government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government where the printing enterprise is located.
All such overseas printed materials shall be exported and shall not be sold within the territory.
Article 35
Printing enterprises and individuals engaged in other printing business activities shall not:
1. Reproduce the printed materials of others without authorization;
2. Sell, conduct unauthorized reprinting of, or accept third-party commissions for reprinting commissioned printed materials;
3. Sell, lease, lend, or otherwise transfer the paper patterns, printing plates, or printing negatives of commissioned printed materials to any other entity or individual.
Chapter VI Penalties
Article 36
Where any entity establishes a publishing or printing business without authorization, or engages in printing operations without obtaining approval as required by these Regulations, the publishing administrative department and the administrative department for industry and commerce shall, within their respective statutory powers, order the entity to cease operations and shut it down. Printed materials, illegal proceeds, and any specialized tools or equipment used for illegal activities shall be confiscated.
Where the amount of illegal business turnover exceeds RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than five times but not more than ten times the amount of illegal turnover shall be imposed; where the amount is less than RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than RMB 10,000 but not more than RMB 50,000 shall be imposed. Where the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.
Where a printing factory (or printing office) is established within an organization and engages in printing business activities without completing the procedures prescribed in Chapter II of these Regulations, penalties shall be imposed in accordance with the preceding paragraph.
Article 37
Where a printing business operator commits any of the following acts in violation of these Regulations, the publishing administrative department of the people’s government at or above the county level shall order it to cease the illegal acts and suspend business operations for rectification; printed materials and illegal proceeds shall be confiscated; where the illegal business turnover exceeds RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than five times but not more than ten times the illegal turnover shall be imposed; where the amount is less than RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than RMB 10,000 but not more than RMB 50,000 shall be imposed. In serious cases, the original licensing authority shall revoke the printing business license. Where the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.
1. Engaging in or altering the printing business of publications, packaging and decoration printed materials, or other printed materials without approval from the publishing administrative department, or merging with another printing business operator without authorization;
2. Establishing a new printing business operator through merger or division without completing the procedures prescribed by these Regulations;
3. Selling, leasing, lending, or otherwise transferring a printing business license.
Article 38
Where a printing business operator knows or should have known that the publications, packaging and decoration printed materials, or other printed materials it prints contain content prohibited under Article 3 of these Regulations, or prints publications expressly prohibited by the State or published by non-publishing entities, the publishing administrative department and the public security department of the people’s government at or above the county level shall, within their respective statutory powers, order suspension of business operations for rectification and confiscate the printed materials and illegal proceeds.
Where the illegal business turnover exceeds RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than five times but not more than ten times the amount of illegal turnover shall be imposed; where the amount is less than RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than RMB 10,000 but not more than RMB 50,000 shall be imposed. In serious cases, the original licensing authority shall revoke the license. Where the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be investigated in accordance with the law.
Article 39
Where a printing business operator commits any of the following acts, the publishing administrative department or the public security department of the people’s government at or above the county level shall, within their statutory powers, order rectification and issue a warning; in serious cases, suspension of business operations for rectification shall be ordered or the original licensing authority shall revoke the license:
1. Failing to establish systems for printing verification, registration, storage, delivery, or disposal of defective printed materials;
2. Failing to promptly report discovered illegal or criminal acts in printing operations to the public security organs or publishing administrative departments;
3. Failing to apply to the original publishing administrative department for approval when changing major registered particulars such as the name, legal representative or principal person in charge, registered address or business premises, or when terminating printing operations;
4. Failing to retain materials for inspection in accordance with these Regulations.
Where any entity establishes a printing factory (or printing office) in violation of these Regulations without completing registration procedures with the publishing administrative department and the secrecy administration of the people’s government at or above the county level, the relevant departments shall order rectification and issue a warning within their statutory powers; in serious cases, suspension of business operations for rectification shall be ordered.
Article 40
Where an enterprise engaged in publication printing business commits any of the following acts, the publishing administrative department of the people’s government at or above the county level shall impose one or more of the following penalties:
1. A warning and confiscation of illegal proceeds;
2. Where the illegal business turnover exceeds RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than five times but not more than ten times the illegal turnover;
3. Where the illegal business turnover is less than RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than RMB 10,000 but not more than RMB 50,000;
4. Suspension of business operations for rectification or revocation of the printing business license by the original licensing authority in serious cases;
5. Criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law where the act constitutes a crime.
The acts referred to in the preceding paragraph include:
1. Accepting commissions to print publications without verifying the printing commission letter, relevant certificates, or printing permits as required, or failing to file the printing commission letter with the publishing administrative department;
2. Printing or publishing publications under a false name or by misappropriating another’s identity;
3. Stealing or forging others’ publications;
4. Illegally reprinting or selling publications commissioned for printing;
5. Subscribing to or selling publications;
6. Selling, leasing, lending, or otherwise transferring paper types or printing negatives of publications commissioned by publishing units;
7. Accepting commissions to print overseas publications without approval, or failing to export all printed overseas publications.
Article 41
Where an enterprise engaged in packaging and decoration printing business commits any of the following acts, the publishing administrative department of the people’s government at or above the county level shall impose one or more of the following penalties:
1. A warning and confiscation of illegal proceeds;
2. Where the illegal business turnover exceeds RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than five times but not more than ten times the illegal turnover;
3. Where the illegal business turnover is less than RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than RMB 10,000 but not more than RMB 50,000;
4. Suspension of business operations for rectification or revocation of the printing business license by the original licensing authority in serious cases;
5. Criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law where the act constitutes a crime.
The acts referred to above include:
1. Accepting commissioned printing of registered trademark labels without verifying, as required, the copy of the Trademark Registration Certificate bearing the seal of the administrative department for industry and commerce, the registered trademark design, or the trademark licensing agreement;
2. Accepting commissioned printing of advertising materials or product packaging and decoration without verifying the business license of the commissioning unit or the resident identity card of the individual, or accepting advertising printing commissions from advertising operators without verifying their qualification certificates;
3. Counterfeiting the packaging or decorative printed materials of others;
4. Accepting commissioned printing of overseas packaging and decoration printed materials without filing as required, or failing to export all such printed materials.
Where printing enterprises violate national regulations on trademark or advertising printing administration when accepting commissions to print registered trademark labels or advertising materials, the administrative department for industry and commerce shall impose penalties in accordance with the law.
Article 42
Where enterprises or individuals engaged in other printing business activities commit any of the following acts, the publishing administrative department of the people’s government at or above the county level shall impose one or more of the following penalties:
1. A warning and confiscation of printed materials and illegal proceeds;
2. Where the illegal business turnover exceeds RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than five times but not more than ten times the illegal turnover;
3. Where the illegal business turnover is less than RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than RMB 10,000 but not more than RMB 50,000;
4. Suspension of business operations for rectification or revocation of the license by the original licensing authority in serious cases;
5. Criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law where the act constitutes a crime.
The acts referred to above include:
1. Accepting commissions to print other printed materials without verifying relevant certificates as required;
2. Subcontracting or transferring commissioned printing of other printed materials without authorization;
3. Selling, leasing, lending, or otherwise transferring paper patterns or printing negatives of other commissioned printed materials;
4. Forging or altering official documents or certificates of state organs, enterprises, institutions, or people’s organizations, or counterfeiting printed materials of others;
5. Illegally reprinting or selling other commissioned printed materials;
6. Accepting commissions to print other overseas printed materials without filing as required, or failing to export all such printed materials;
7. Individuals engaging in other printing business activities beyond their approved scope of operation.
Article 43
Where any entity commits any of the following acts, the publishing administrative department shall impose one or more of the following penalties:
1. A warning and confiscation of printed materials and illegal proceeds;
2. Where the illegal business turnover exceeds RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than five times but not more than ten times the illegal turnover;
3. Where the illegal business turnover is less than RMB 10,000, a fine of not less than RMB 10,000 but not more than RMB 50,000;
4. Suspension of business operations or revocation of the printing business license in serious cases;
5. Criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law where the act constitutes a crime.
The acts referred to above include:
1. Printing notices, announcements, work permits for major events, passes, or tickets intended for public circulation without obtaining certification from the competent authority, or entrusting others to print such items;
2. Forging or altering official documents or certificates of state organs, enterprises, institutions, or people’s organizations, such as academic degree certificates or educational qualification certificates.
Where a printing enterprise entrusted with printing press releases, notices, work permits for major events, passes, tickets, or certificates intended for public circulation fails to obtain certification from the competent authority, the publishing administrative department of the people’s government at or above the county level shall impose a fine of not less than RMB 500 but not more than RMB 5,000.
Chapter VI Penalties (continued)
Article 44
Where a printing business operator commits any of the following acts in violation of these Regulations, the publishing administrative department of the people’s government at or above the county level shall order rectification and issue a warning; in serious cases, it shall order suspension of business operations for rectification or revoke the printing business license through the original licensing authority:
1. Where an enterprise engaged in packaging and decoration printing business retains, without authorization, finished products, semi-finished products, waste materials, printing plates, paper patterns, printing negatives, or original manuscripts of commissioned packaging and decoration printed materials;
2. Where enterprises or individuals engaged in other printing business activities retain samples or sample sheets of other printed materials without authorization, or fail to affix the official marks “Sample” or “Sample Sheet” to retained materials as required.
Article 45
Where a printing enterprise is subject to the administrative penalty of license revocation, its legal representative or principal person in charge shall not serve as the legal representative or principal person in charge of a printing enterprise for a period of ten years from the date of license revocation.
Where an individual engaged in printing business activities is subject to administrative penalties including license revocation, such individual shall be prohibited from engaging in printing business activities for a period of ten years from the date of license revocation.
Article 46
With respect to administrative penalties involving fines imposed pursuant to these Regulations, the separation of decision on fines and collection of fines shall be implemented in accordance with relevant laws and administrative regulations. All collected fines shall be turned over to the state treasury.
Article 47
Where publishing administrative departments, administrative departments for industry and commerce, or other relevant authorities approve licenses or approval documents for applicants who do not meet statutory requirements without authorization, neglect their supervisory duties, or fail to investigate and penalize illegal acts, thereby resulting in serious consequences, the responsible supervisory personnel and other directly responsible persons shall be subject to administrative sanctions such as demotion or dismissal. Where a crime is constituted, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.
Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions
Article 48
Printing enterprises lawfully established prior to the implementation of these Regulations shall, within 180 days from the effective date of these Regulations, apply to the publishing administrative department for replacement of their Printing Business License.
No additional fees beyond the statutory cost fee shall be charged for permits issued in accordance with these Regulations.
Article 49
These Regulations shall enter into force as of the date of promulgation. The Regulations on the Administration of the Printing Industry promulgated by the State Council on March 8, 1997 shall be repealed concurrently.
(The English translations are for reference only)
