A service identification number for an Internet Content Provider (ICP) filing is a verification code that associates the website involved in the ICP filing with the corresponding Alibaba Cloud instance when you enter the ICP filing information in the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing system. This topic describes some common questions that you may encounter when you apply for a service identification number for an ICP filing.

For more information about the procedures and precautions for applying for a service identification number, see Apply for service identification numbers for free.

How do I apply for a service identification number for my IoT package?

You can apply for a service identification number if your IoT subscription duration is six or more months and the amount of a single order is USD 14 or more. For more information, see Apply for service identification numbers for free.

How do I obtain a service identification number for an ICP filing if I did not purchase any Alibaba Cloud instance?

You must purchase an Alibaba Cloud instance that supports ICP filing application to apply for a service identification number. For more information, see Purchase and prepare an instance. For more information about how to apply for a service identification number, see Apply for service identification numbers for free.

Why does it show that this ECS instance does not have an IP address that supports ICP filing application?

Alibaba Cloud Elastic Compute Service (ECS) instances that support ICP filing application must be deployed in the Chinese mainland, be purchased by using the subscription billing method, and have a public IP address. If you do not have a public IP address, purchase public bandwidth first. For more information, see the Modify public bandwidth section of the Overview of instance upgrade and downgrade topic.

Why am I unable to see the Apply button on the ICP No. Application page?

The Apply button is not displayed in the Operation column of your instance. This issue may be caused by the following reasons:
  • Your Alibaba Cloud account is not the one that is used to purchase the instance. Log on to the ICP Filing Management console by using the Alibaba Cloud account that is used to purchase the instance, and use this account to apply for a service identification number.
  • You chose the pay-as-you-go billing method for your ECS instance. Pay-as-you-go instances do not support ICP filing application. Switch the billing method from pay-as-you-go to subscription and purchase a subscription of three months or more.
  • If you use a subscription ECS instance and the remaining subscription time meets the requirements for applying for an ICP filing, check whether public bandwidth has been purchased for the instance. If no public bandwidth is purchased for the instance, purchase bandwidth as required. For more information about how to purchase public bandwidth, see the Modify public bandwidth section in the Overview of instance upgrade and downgrade topic.
  • You chose the subscription billing method for your ECS instance, but the remaining subscription time is less than three months as required for ICP filing application. In this case, renew the subscription. If your ECS instance does not meet the requirements for applying for an ICP filing due to configuration changes, check the configurations to make sure that your instance meets the requirements.

    For example, you are not allowed to apply for a service identification number if the bandwidth configuration is downgraded to 0 Mbit/s or the billing method is changed to pay-as-you-go.

  • Your instance has expired. You cannot apply for a service identification number for an expired instance. In this case, renew the subscription.
  • The number of service identification numbers that you can apply for has reached the upper limit. We recommend that you apply for service identification numbers by using another qualified Alibaba Cloud instance.

    For more information about the quantity of service identification numbers that can be applied for each instance, see the "Supported instance service types and maximum number of supported websites" section in the Prepare and check the instance and access information topic.

  • The Alibaba Cloud instance that you purchased is not deployed in the Chinese mainland. Only domain names that are resolved to instances deployed in the Chinese mainland and provide services require ICP filing application. The ICP filing is not required if the domain name is resolved to an instance deployed outside the Chinese mainland.

Can I reuse a service identification number?

No. If you have used a service identification number to obtain an ICP filing for a domain name, you cannot use this service identification number to apply for an ICP filing for another domain name.

After I cancel an ICP filing, can I reapply for the service identification number?

No. After you cancel your ICP filing, the corresponding service identification number is deleted. You cannot reapply for this service identification number.

What can I do if my service identification number quota is exhausted?

If your service identification number quota is exhausted, you must purchase a new instance and use the new instance to apply for more service identification numbers.