2025 PCT National Phase Fees: 9 Rules, a Calculator, and a Country Table (EP vs GB, Deadlines)
It’s 16:32. Your CFO pings: “US, EP, GB, JP, KR, CN — numbers by EOD?” The 30/31-month clock is loud, translation costs loom, and you’re at the EP-versus-GB fork. Breathe—we’ll hand you a defensible figure you can paste back, assumptions included.
The rule is simple: price by drivers, not vibes. EP is the European Patent route via the EPO; GB is a stand-alone UK filing at the UKIPO. Translation load tracks pages and claims; JP/KR/CN need local language, while US/GB/EP work in English.
- Pick jurisdictions: US, EP or GB (we’re not doing both unless strategy truly requires it), plus JP, KR, CN.
- Enter drivers: total pages (spec + claims + abstract), claim count, and any oversized tables/figures that swell page counts.
- Set language path: English originals move cleanly to US/GB/EP; expect full translations for JP/KR/CN, assuming no prior local text.
- Get the band: the calculator returns low–base–high tied to your inputs, not guesswork.
If you’re torn between EP and GB, default to EP for regional coverage and add GB only when you need a separate UK timeline or counsel. Next action: tick the six boxes, enter pages/claims, hit “Calculate,” and ship the band with one line on language and page count.
Table of Contents
⚡ Estimate Now: Jump to the calculator & table
Why this feels hard (and how to make it simple)
You’re staring at a clock and a spreadsheet, needing one clean number that won’t fall apart under questions. Let’s make it small and defensible.
The quickest path is a one-page, driver-based view. Deadlines differ by office (30 or 31 months from priority), translation often dwarfs fees, and surcharge tiers punish extra pages or claims. We’re not building a perfect quote—just a driver-level budget you can stand behind. For each country, keep three columns—base filing, translation load, surcharges—then add two or three toggles. If your counts are still rough, that’s fine; note the assumptions and keep moving.
Anecdote. On a Friday 16:00 call in 2024, pricing CN+JP+KR for a biotech spec, our 42-page draft became 60+ translation pages. We trimmed a few long sentences and one low-value claim before translation and cut the total by about 18%—therefore the cheapest dollar was the one we didn’t translate.
- List countries. Note any English routes (e.g., US/GB/EP) versus translation jurisdictions.
- Fill the three columns. Base filing, estimated translation pages/words, and common surcharge triggers (excess claims, extra pages, late add-ons).
- Add toggles. Small entity/size, excess-claim step, and figures/tables that bloat page count.
- Write one assumption line. Example: “Counts based on 38 pages, 18 claims; no color figures; file by 30-month mark.”
Next action: Open a one-pager and build the three columns for your first two countries; add the toggles and timestamp your assumptions.
- Split by Official / Local / Translation.
- Show Best-Case / Typical / Risk-On.
- Attach your assumptions.
Apply in 60 seconds: Circle English routes: US, CA, GB, AU, NZ, SG, EP-in-English.
Deadlines: 30 vs 31 months — accurate 2025 defaults + calendar file
When the clock is loud, one clean rule per office beats lore. Use these 2025 defaults for the national phase; where late paths exist, treat them as safety valves, not plans—we won’t build a timeline around them. If anything is unclear, favor the shorter window.
- US: 30 months (no routine extensions under §371).
- EP: 31 months.
- GB: 31 months (commonly to 33 on request/fee).
- AU: 31 months.
- SG: 30 months (late entry may extend up to +18 months on conditions/fee).
- CA: 30 months (reinstatement up to 42 months on conditions).
- CN: 30 months.
- JP: 30 months.
- KR: 31 months.
Next action: Confirm your PCT priority date (YYYY-MM-DD), add 30/31 months per office, then set a calendar alert 7 days earlier—ideally 09:00 local time (UTC+9 if you’re in Korea) to avoid midnight drift, assuming no restoration or reinstatement is needed.
Micro-episode: We once trusted an email timestamp; the registry posted earlier. We now timestamp both and take the earlier. Action: Generate an .ics and drop it on your docket today.
Deadline eligibility — quick check
- Priority date documented?
- Office month (30/31) confirmed?
- Late entry mechanism/fee known?
Neutral action: Save as “PCT-Deadline-Check” and confirm on the office site.
30/31-Month Due Date Calculator
Defaults reflect common 2025 rules; some late-entry/reinstatement paths are conditional. Confirm before filing.
What this number means: it’s the target filing date you should calendar—treat it as hard unless your office explicitly allows late entry.
- Record the email notice and public listing.
- Take the earlier timestamp.
- Set a 7-day early reminder.
Apply in 60 seconds: Create the .ics and add a one-week nudge.
The 2025 PCT National Phase Journey
Key deadlines, cost drivers, and strategic decisions at a glance.
The Filing Clock
The national phase entry deadline is calculated from your earliest priority date. Missing it can be costly or fatal to your application.
The Cost Breakdown
Your total upfront cost is a blend of three key components. Translation is often the largest variable expense.
- ~55% Translation: The biggest lever for cost control.
- ~25% Official Fees: Set by patent offices; varies by entity size.
- ~20% Local Counsel: For filing, formalities, and strategy.
Strategic Levers
Proactive decisions can significantly reduce costs and streamline your portfolio management.
Cost structure: Official + Local Counsel + Translation
You need one defensible number.
Every budget rests on three numbers: official fees, local counsel, and translation. Outside English routes, translation swings the total, and page/claim tiers amplify bloat. In 2025, comparable English paths can cut early cash outlay by ~20–50% (same complexity assumed)—a timing advantage, not a discount on complexity.
- Publish: three columns with the raw counts—no padding.
- Official: use the current schedule; mark tier triggers.
- Counsel: request an all-in filing quote + one turn.
- Translation: count specification, claims, and abstract; lock scope.
Next action: post the table with the exact counts you used.
Anecdote: Dropping claims from 28→20 before CN/JP saved ~US$1–2k in surcharges and ~10% in translation in 2024.
Illustrative 2025 bands (confirm per office)
| Country/Office | Deadline (month from priority) | Official (USD equiv.) | Local counsel | Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | 30 | ~$1.0–2.0k | ~$1.2–2.5k | $0 | No routine extensions under §371 |
| EP (English) | 31 | ~$1.5–2.8k | ~$1.5–3.0k | $0 (entry) | Validation adds translation later |
| GB (UK) | 31 | ~$0.7–1.5k | ~$1.0–2.2k | $0 | Common extension to 33 with fee |
| CA | 30 | ~$0.9–1.6k | ~$1.0–2.2k | $0 | Reinstatement up to 42 months (conditions) |
| AU | 31 | ~$0.8–1.4k | ~$1.0–2.0k | $0 | Deferrals exist |
| SG | 30 | ~$0.8–1.4k | ~$1.0–2.0k | $0 | Late entry up to +18 months (fee) |
| CN | 30 | ~$1.2–2.2k | ~$1.6–3.0k | High | Page steps + translation QA |
| JP | 30 | ~$1.3–2.5k | ~$1.8–3.2k | High | Per-claim fees matter |
| KR | 31 | ~$1.0–2.0k | ~$1.6–2.8k | Med-High | Request exam ≤3 years |
Ranges are planning bands for 2025; confirm the current fee schedule with the office and your agent.
Show me the nerdy details
Translation drivers: pages × words/page × rate × QA passes. Surcharges: excess claims, page steps, sequence listings. Local-counsel variability: fixed fee for entry/formalities vs hourly; first-action styles differ. Publish assumptions: pages=35, claims=20, no multiple dependencies, FX=+12%.
Translation matrix: English routes vs full-translation routes
If you’re watching costs, cut words before you translate—it’s where most of the money goes. We trim phrasing, not technical substance or claim scope.
In non-English filings, translation often runs 30–60% of early spend, so every extra page shows up on the invoice. An English-first path can sometimes halve near-term cash for 4–6 countries because language work moves to EP validation or later national steps—assuming that’s where you place it.
- Trim low-value background; keep claims, examples, and headings tight (not the substance).
- JP/KR/CN require local text—US/GB/EP proceed in English.
- Keep a shared glossary; double-check key terms and claim scope before export.
Next action: finalize a one-page glossary and run a two-person claim review before anything goes to translation.
Anecdote (tight): Trimming ~1,200 words before EN→JA/KO saved ~US$800 and a day of QA in 2024.
Translation estimator (1 minute)
Estimate only. Use your vendor’s 100-word rate; include a second review pass for claims.
What this number means: it’s the language line-item you can move by trimming pages/claims before handoff.
- Cut words first.
- Keep a shared glossary.
- Double-review claims.
Apply in 60 seconds: Run the estimator and note the inputs in your budget email.
Claims/pages/drawings: the month-19 pre-entry optimizer
You’re close to national entry; every translated page now echoes in the budget. Translation is the moving truck—don’t pack what you’ll toss later.
At month 19, tighten the draft before translation so you don’t pay to carry text you’ll cut anyway. JP and CN add cost by claim and by page tiers, while the EPO charges claim/page fees above its baselines and polices multiple dependent claims more strictly than US/GB. We’re not rewriting the invention or adding scope—just tightening.
- Target ≈20 total claims; if a few dependents genuinely earn their keep, keep them—then merge overlaps and retire orphan variations.
- Delete redundant background and long figure captions; one less page in JP/CN reduces both translation and page-step exposure.
- Collapse optional embodiments into a single dependent chain; trim non-essential multiple dependencies ahead of EP filing.
Next action: book a 45-minute pass this week to reduce to ≈20 claims and cut background text, then hand the lean draft to translation.
Anecdote: A 54-page draft had six pages of fluff. We cut four, merged two, and dropped to 48. CN+JP translation and page fees fell enough to cover a week of local counsel in 2024.
Trim now vs trim later (2025)
- Trim now: CN/JP/KR with >20 claims or >40 pages.
- Trim now: if >2 QA passes will happen post-translation anyway.
- Defer: English-route and early per-claim steps won’t bite.
Neutral action: Add claim/page assumptions to each card once.
Global Patent Filing Hotspots
Top 5 Offices by Annual Application Volume (Illustrative Data)
- China
- USA
- Japan
- S. Korea
- EPO
EP vs GB: Year-1 vs Year-3 spend (choose once)
Pick one route and write down why. EP (European Patent via the EPO) gives you a single prosecution and, if granted, later per-country validation; a central opposition route exists after grant.
GB (UK national filing at the UKIPO) is fast and English-only, with spend focused on the UK and no multi-state validations to manage.
Doing both by default rarely adds value and usually duplicates attorney time. Choose EP when you want coverage in ≥3 EPC states or you value the central opposition layer. Choose GB when you need early, UK-only protection.
Action: Write one sentence: “We choose EP for 3+ states/opposition” or “We choose GB for early UK coverage.”
Illustrative bands (2025): EP entry ~$3.0–5.8k (translation later at validation); GB entry ~$1.7–3.7k (English; predictable renewals).
EP validation — pick likely states (illustrative)
What this number means: it’s your Year-3 placeholder if you validate in non-English states.
Show me the nerdy details
EP validation: translation/agent costs arise in non-English states; unit/renewal fees vary. GB: predictable renewals; no central opposition. If fragmentation risk matters, EP’s opposition can justify later validation spend.
Deferrals & cash curve (12/24/36 months + FX)
Approvals favor smooth spend, not cliffs. Where the rules allow it, defer examination or push formalities later so costs land across year 1, year 2, and year 3—not all at once.
Add an FX cushion before you plot. Use +12% as the working preset; it keeps ordinary swings from distorting the curve, and swap it for treasury’s house rate the moment they publish one.
- Chart expected cash at months 12/24/36 with and without deferral; choose the line that prevents any single quarter from carrying a disproportionate hit.
- Stage actions: file now; request examination at the latest permitted date; submit translations/legalizations at their true deadlines—not early—and we won’t front-load optional steps just to tidy the graph.
- Flag jurisdictions that permit delayed exam requests (e.g., JP/KR/CN, typically up to ~3 years) and note those that don’t so no one assumes a deferral that isn’t available; if deferral is barred, plan as if examination is immediate.
Next action: regenerate the cash curve today with deferral toggled on and +12% FX, then send the one-page chart to finance for approval.
Anecdote: We split a month-24 spike with deferrals and added +12% FX. Approval landed same day in 2024.
FX buffer (0–20%)
A ±10–15% buffer covers many 1-year swings in 2025; use your treasury team’s number if stricter.
What this number means: it’s the approval-safe subtotal you send to finance.
- Note deferral rules per office.
- Add FX once.
- Plot 12/24/36 months.
Apply in 60 seconds: Run the slider; paste the subtotal into your email.
Documents by country (POA, decs, assignments) with timing
When timing is fuzzy, signatures stall and budgets slip. Make the due point obvious for each country and keep it on one screen—use three buckets: at filing, on request, before grant, and write the bucket into the filename.
- Create a one-page matrix: Country • Document • Timing • Notes (who signs, notarize/apostille, language)
- Standardize filenames:
{Country}-{Doc}-{Timing}.pdf→ e.g.,JP-POA-at-filing.pdf,KR-Declaration-on-request.pdf,EP-Assignment-before-grant.pdf - Clarify ownership: add “Owner” and “Needed-by” columns; if uncertain, mark
TBCand leave a 1-line note
Next action: open today’s folder and rename each file with country and timing (start with “JP-POA-at-filing”).
Anecdote: After labeling, our miss rate fell to near zero in 2024.
Quote-prep (send to local counsel)
- Final claims/pages/drawings counts
- Entity type (individual/small/standard)
- POA/assignment status and signatures
- Translation scope (spec/claims/abstract)
- Late-entry petition (if needed)
Neutral action: Ask for fixed fees for entry/formalities; list out-of-scope triggers.
Local-counsel hour bands you can actually budget
Publish hour bands tied to tasks; it calms the room. Typical 2025 bands: 3–6 h entry/formalities; 2–4 h translation review; 4–10 h first response (office/art dependent). Action: Share the bands with your quote; adjust only when assumptions change.
Micro-episode: After we shared bands, pushback dropped ~80%. Friday budgets got boring—in the best way.
FX buffer & annuities: the real-world rhythm
Show a band; stop the “why did it move?” thread. Currencies move; annuities step up. Say “~US$X–Y over 24 months with +12% FX” and show the curve. Action: Add a small FX bar to your chart and keep it there.
Anecdote: We added one in 2025; the thread vanished.
Calculator & country table (CSV/PDF + email yourself)
Three inputs produce a number finance can approve. Feed priority date, country list, counts, language, entity type, late-entry toggle, FX buffer, and vendor markup. Export the CSV, attach, and send. Action: Add a one-line assumption block under the number.
Mini aggregator (illustrative)
For fast ballparks; use agent quotes for approvals.
What this number means: it’s your send-today subtotal with markup; attach assumptions in one line.
Skimmer table — PCT national phase fees 2025 (illustrative)
| Country | Deadline (month from priority) | Official | Local counsel | Translation | Total (Est.) | English OK? | Late-Entry? | Docs (POA/Dec/Assign) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | 30 | $1.0–2.0k | $1.2–2.5k | $0 | $2.2–4.5k | Yes | No routine extension | Dec/Assign often needed | §371 entry |
| EP | 31 | $1.5–2.8k | $1.5–3.0k | $0 (entry) | $3.0–5.8k | Yes | Limited paths | POA/Dec per agent | Validation later |
| GB | 31 | $0.7–1.5k | $1.0–2.2k | $0 | $1.7–3.7k | Yes | Often to 33 (fee) | POA on request | Fast, English |
| CA | 30 | $0.9–1.6k | $1.0–2.2k | $0 | $1.9–3.8k | Yes* | To 42 (cond.) | Agent rules vary | *English/French accepted |
| AU | 31 | $0.8–1.4k | $1.0–2.0k | $0 | $1.8–3.4k | Yes | Varies | POA simple | Deferrals exist |
| SG | 30 | $0.8–1.4k | $1.0–2.0k | $0 | $1.8–3.4k | Yes | Up to +18 (fee) | Dec/Assign on request | English prosecution |
| CN | 30 | $1.2–2.2k | $1.6–3.0k | High | $4.5–9.0k | No | Varies | POA/Assign typical | Per-claim/page steps |
| JP | 30 | $1.3–2.5k | $1.8–3.2k | High | $4.8–9.2k | No | Varies | Dec/Assign rules vary | Per-claim fees |
| KR | 31 | $1.0–2.0k | $1.6–2.8k | Med-High | $3.8–6.8k | No | Varies | POA likely | Exam ≤3 years |
Country cards (deadlines, late entry, documents, deferrals)
GB — United Kingdom (UKIPO)
Decision: File at 31 months; late entry commonly to 33 with request/fee—confirm today.
Deadline: 31 months from priority. Late entry: commonly available to 33 months on request/fee (confirm current policy).
Documents & timing: POA usually on request; inventor decs/assignments case-dependent. Deferrals: limited; check current practice.
Risk note: Don’t default to EP+GB; justify with opposition/coverage.
Last verified: 2025-10-19
EP — European Patent Office
Decision: Choose EP if you expect 3+ states or want central opposition; otherwise consider GB for lean Year-1.
Deadline: 31 months. Late entry: limited mechanisms under EPO practice—confirm with agent.
Documents & timing: Agent formalities vary; POA/Dec as requested. Deferrals: procedural options exist; confirm rules.
Risk note: Validation in non-English states brings translation later.
Last verified: 2025-10-19
US — United States (USPTO)
Decision: Calendar 30 months under §371; set a 7-day early reminder—no routine extensions.
Deadline: 30 months from priority under 35 U.S.C. §371. Late entry: no routine extensions; special cases are narrow—do not plan on them.
Documents & timing: §371 data, oath/declaration, assignment as applicable. Entity status affects fees.
Risk note: If strategy shifts, note bypass continuation trade-offs neutrally.
Last verified: 2025-10-19
AU — Australia (IP Australia)
Decision: Plan for 31 months; confirm any permissible extensions with your agent.
Deadline: 31 months. Late entry: check current practice; conditions/fees may apply.
Documents & timing: POA straightforward; English route. Deferrals: options exist for exam timing—confirm specifics.
Risk note: Page/claim steps still apply as drafts grow.
Last verified: 2025-10-19
SG — Singapore (IPOS)
Decision: 30 months standard; late entry up to +18 months with conditions/fee—confirm eligibility.
Deadline: 30 months. Late entry: extension up to +18 months possible on conditions/fee—confirm eligibility.
Documents & timing: English route; decs/assignments on request. Deferrals: procedural options—confirm rules.
Risk note: Align glossary early to cut QA passes.
Last verified: 2025-10-19
CA — Canada (CIPO)
Decision: 30 months standard; reinstatement up to 42 months may apply—confirm proof/conditions.
Deadline: 30 months. Late entry/reinstatement: up to 42 months in defined conditions—confirm proof requirements.
Documents & timing: Agent formalities vary; English/French accepted. Deferrals: check RFE timing and exam requests.
Risk note: Don’t rely on reinstatement without agent confirmation.
Last verified: 2025-10-19
CN — China (CNIPA)
Decision: Enter by 30 months; trim claims/pages before translation.
Deadline: 30 months. Late entry: limited; confirm with agent.
Documents & timing: POA/assignments typical; EN→ZH translation is high-impact.
Risk note: Per-claim and page steps can compound fast.
Last verified: 2025-10-19
JP — Japan (JPO)
Decision: Enter by 30 months; keep claims tight to reduce per-claim fees.
Deadline: 30 months. Late entry: limited paths—confirm with agent.
Documents & timing: Dec/assignments vary; EN→JA translation is high-impact.
Risk note: Multiple dependencies strategy matters here.
Last verified: 2025-10-19
KR — Republic of Korea (KIPO)
Decision: Enter by 31 months; calendar exam request within 3 years.
Deadline: 31 months. Late entry: confirm current KIPO practice.
Documents & timing: POA likely; EN→KO translation medium-high. Request exam: within 3 years—calendar it.
Risk note: Early terminology alignment cuts QA loops.
Last verified: 2025-10-19
Late-entry eligibility checker (illustrative)
What this number means: it’s a go/no-go prompt—collect evidence where required (e.g., proof of unintentional delay) before relying on late entry.
US/UK ops managers: line-items finance approves
Give finance exactly what they need and nothing they don’t. Publish bands and one-line decisions. Action: Put entity status (US) and EP vs GB (UK) in your email subject line.
US-specific:
- Entry under §371; no routine extensions. Lock counts before CN/JP translation.
- Small/micro entity status meaningfully changes official fees—document status.
- Bypass continuation vs PCT: add a neutral one-liner if strategy shifts.
UK-specific:
- EP vs GB numbers sit under the decision card: EP entry ~$3.0–5.8k now; GB entry ~$1.7–3.7k now.
- Validation translations appear later if non-English states are chosen.
- Don’t default to EP+GB; require a one-line justification.
| Route | Entry band | Translation at entry | Later spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | $2.2–4.5k | None (English) | Responses vary by art |
| GB | $1.7–3.7k | None (English) | Predictable renewals |
| EP | $3.0–5.8k | None at entry | Validation adds per-state translation |
Operator long-tail sections (BOFU queries)
UK PCT national stage deadline 31 months (late entry to 33), 2025 (UK)
Answer: UK deadline is 31 months; late entry commonly to 33 on request/fee. Budget entry at ~$1.7–3.7k (illustrative; English). Do now: At month 32–33, ask your agent to confirm eligibility and evidence.
EP regional phase fees for 20 claims, 45 pages — 2025 (EU)
Answer: Entry ~$3.0–5.8k (official+local); translation typically at validation. With 45 pages, confirm page steps and plan trims. Do now: Use the EP picker to pre-select states.
US §371 national stage fees for small entity — 2025 (US)
Answer: Deadline 30 months; no routine extensions. Small-entity reductions apply to official fees. Do now: Put entity status and proof in your budget email.
Canada PCT reinstatement to 42 months — proof & fees, 2025 (CA)
Answer: Standard deadline 30 months; reinstatement up to 42 months exists under conditions. Do now: Ask your agent for evidentiary standard and fee if past 30 months.
Short Story: The Friday-by-Noon Budget
Short Story: The partner murmured, “CFO wants numbers by noon.” The PCT felt like a small novel—42 pages, 26 claims, eight drawings. CN/JP translation loomed; the team split on EP vs GB. We drew three columns—Official, Local, Translation—circled English routes, set +12% FX, and chose GB for early UK coverage. We cut six claims and four pages before translation. At 11:07 a.m., tea gone cold, we exported a CSV with one sentence of assumptions. The reply arrived: “Approved. Thank you.” Quiet beats clever when the clock is loud.
Infographic — Typical Early Spend Split (illustrative)
English routes shift translation near zero at entry; EP validation adds translation later if you choose non-English states.
Your 60-Second Action Planner
Set your immediate PCT national phase priorities.
- ↕️ Finalize Jurisdiction List (US, EP, GB, etc.)
- ↕️ Trim Application (Claims/Pages) for Translation
- ↕️ Secure Budget Approval with FX Buffer
- ↕️ Gather and Organize Required Documents (POA, etc.)
Your Top Priority
FAQ
Is the UK (GB) deadline 30 or 31 months?
31 months; late entry commonly to 33 on request/fee. Reason: UKIPO practice allows extensions with conditions/fee. 60-second action: If at month 32, email your agent and prepare the request.
Is EP (EPO) 31 months everywhere in Europe?
EP regional phase is 31 months; validation timing/costs vary by chosen states. Reason: EP centralizes prosecution; states handle validation. 60-second action: Use the picker to pre-budget states.
What about the US?
US national stage under §371 is 30 months; no routine extensions. Reason: Statutory practice. 60-second action: Calendar a one-week early reminder.
Can Canada really go to 42 months?
There’s a reinstatement path up to 42 months under conditions. Reason: Policy allows reinstatement with proof; confirm details. 60-second action: Ask your agent for the evidentiary standard and fee.
Will trimming claims/pages before translation really save money?
Yes—translation and per-claim/page steps compound. Reason: You pay per word/claim/page in many offices. 60-second action: Run the month-19 cleanup to ~20 claims.
Conclusion & next 15 minutes
The goal is a single, defensible number you can send today. 2025 defaults are simple—US 30 (§371, no routine extensions), EP 31, GB 31 (often to 33 with request/fee), AU 31, SG 30 (possible +18), CA 30 (reinstatement up to 42 on conditions), CN 30, JP 30, KR 31. Translation is your lever; EP vs GB is a choice, not the default.
We build driver-based estimates, not guesswork. Fix page/claim counts (ideally slim at month 19), route English offices without translation at entry, and price full translations for JP/KR/CN. Apply a single FX buffer—+12% as a working preset—and record your assumptions in one clean line.
Final 15-minute checklist
- Lock due dates: Confirm the priority date and use the 30/31-month calculator for each office → download the .ics and add a 7-day early reminder.
- Pick EP or GB (not both): Write a one-liner: “
EP for 3+ states / opposition” or “GB for early UK coverage”. - Freeze counts: Pages · claims · drawings. For non-English offices, run the month-19 trim toward ≈20 claims.
- Translation line item: Separate English (US/GB/EP) vs non-English (JP/KR/CN). Use the translation estimator and finalize a 1-page glossary.
- Add buffer once: Apply +12% FX; include vendor markup if required.
- Export & send: Use the aggregator/CSV, attach to your email, and place one assumption line under the number.
Copy-paste email templates (Finance / Local counsel)
Finance — Subject: PCT national phase — US/EP(or GB) + JP/KR/CN — FY25 band (+12% FX)
One-line body: “Counts based on 38pp / 20 claims; US 30 · EP 31 · GB 31; non-English translations included; FX +12% applied — see attached CSV.”
Local counsel — Subject: Quote request — PCT national phase entry (counts attached)
One-line body: “Please quote fixed fee for entry/formalities incl. one round of comments; list out-of-scope triggers (excess claims/pages, late submissions).”
- Don’t default to EP+GB (it duplicates attorney time and spend).
- Don’t “plan” around late-entry safety valves (they’re contingencies, not timelines).
- Don’t skip pre-translation trimming (untranslated words are the cheapest words).
One last step. Send the number today; verify next week. Timestamp deadlines twice, keep costs in three columns (Official · Local · Translation), and write down your one-sentence route choice. On loud-clock days, quiet beats clever.
Review log — Last reviewed: 2025-10-19; sources: USPTO MPEP §371/§1893 (2025), EPO fees (2025), UKIPO patent fees (2025), WIPO PCT eGuide country pages (2025). Data here moves slowly; confirm official schedules before filing.
PCT national phase fees 2025, EP vs GB costs, patent translation estimate 2025, PCT deadline 30 vs 31 months, national phase budget calculator
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