ICP Filing

Policy Background

In July 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the Notice on Carrying Out Mobile Internet Application Filing Work, requiring all mobile applications providing services within China to complete filing. Apps without filing will not be allowed to provide services.

Filing Requirements

According to the official notice, App organizers need to handle the process as follows:

• Filing Location: Submit procedures to the provincial communications administration bureau where the organizer's residence is located
• Filing Method: Through network access service providers or App distribution platforms, using the National Internet Basic Resource Management System for online applications
• Processing Flow: Online submission of applications and verification review

Filing Solution Options

Self-Service Filing vs Service Provider Agency

Theoretically, you can handle the process directly through the National Internet Basic Resource Management System. However, due to the complex procedures, extensive documentation requirements, and high error rates for first-time applicants, this often leads to application failures.

Recommended Solution: Choose agency services through "Network Access Service Providers" such as Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud, Huawei Cloud, etc.

Service Provider Selection Recommendations

• If you already have domains or servers with a cloud service provider, choose that platform directly
• If not, you can choose any provider for processing

The following uses Alibaba Cloud as an example to introduce the specific operation process.

Preliminary Preparation

Required Resources

Two basic resources need to be prepared before processing:

1. Domain: Purchase from Alibaba Cloud Wanwang
2. Cloud Server: Purchase cloud resources that meet requirements

📝 Important Reminder: These resources are only necessary conditions for processing and don't necessarily need to be actually used.

Domain Purchase Guide

Selection Strategy:

• For actual use: Carefully select and purchase domains that meet your needs
• For filing purposes only: Choose the cheapest option, such as .top domains (annual fee of a few yuan)

⚠️ Important Notes: Read the instructions carefully when purchasing to avoid selecting domain suffixes that cannot be used for filing.

Cloud Server Procurement

Refer to the "Cloud Servers Supporting ICP Filing and Internet Information Service Quantity Table" to select appropriate configurations.

Recommended Configuration:

• Lightweight Application Server: 2-core 2GB configuration meets requirements, 99 yuan/year for new users, cheaper if you can get flash sale prices
• Cost-effectiveness: One server can be associated with up to 5 Apps

💰 Total Cost Estimate: Domain + cloud server approximately 100 yuan

Operation Process

Step 1: Submit Application

1. Visit Alibaba Cloud official website, click "Filing" button in the upper right corner
2. Fill in relevant information following page guidance
3. Associate purchased domains and cloud resources
4. Complete real-person authentication
5. Submit application materials

Step 2: Wait for Review

Review Stages:

1. Initial Review Call: Alibaba Cloud customer service will call to verify information
2. Data Synchronization: Newly purchased resources may need to wait 2 days for data synchronization
3. Bureau Review: Alibaba Cloud submits to the bureau for final review
4. Result Notification: Review results are notified via SMS

The advantage of choosing professional service providers is simplified processes, reduced error rates, and good cooperative relationships with bureaus, theoretically eliminating application failures.

App Store Configuration

Final Step: Fill in Filing Information

When entering the filing number in App Store Connect, pay special attention:

Common Issue: Directly filling in the number from the bureau SMS may prompt "ICP filing number does not match Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) records."

Solution:

1. Visit the MIIT filing query system
2. Query your filing information
3. Copy the complete filing number from "ICP Filing Service Information" (usually with -1A suffix)
4. Enter the complete filing number into App Store Connect

At this point, your App Store mainland China ICP filing process is completely finished.