If your website is hosted on an instance deployed in Mainland China, you must apply for an Internet Content Provider (ICP) filing for your website domain name through the service provider. This topic describes the ICP filing requirements for a regular website.

ICP filing requirements for regular websites

The following figure shows how to build a website that can properly provide services. To build a website, you must specify the instance and access information, website information, and entity information. ICP filing requirements for regular websitesScenarios:
  • Websites hosted on instances deployed in Mainland China require ICP filings, whereas websites hosted on instances deployed Regions outside Mainland China do not.
    Note If a website provides services to Mainland China, a Public Security Bureau (PSB) filing is required. For more information, see the PSB Filing FAQs topic in the ICP filing documentation on the Alibaba Cloud China site (aliyun.com).
  • The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reviews the following information of a website:
    • Instance and access information

      The MIIT checks whether the instance location and access method in your ICP filing information meet the requirements. We recommend that you verify your ICP filing information to ensure that it meets the requirements before you apply for an ICP filing. For more information, see Prepare and check the instance and access information.

    • Website information

      The MIIT checks whether the name and content of the website meet compliance requirements and whether the website administrator exists. In specific industries, a pre-approval document issued by the relevant department must be provided to prove that the website has been built and is approved by the superior department. We recommend that you check whether the pre-approval process is required for your website and complete the process as required before you apply for an ICP filing. For more information, see Pre-approvals.

    • Entity information

      The MIIT checks whether the ICP filing entity exists and meets relevant requirements. Different types of entities require different materials for identity verification. We recommend that you prepare all the required materials before you apply for an ICP filing. For more information, see Required materials.

For websites that are accessible only by using IP addresses

If a website is hosted on an instance deployed in Mainland China and is accessible only by using an IP address instead of a domain name, an ICP filing is required for the website. You cannot apply for an ICP filing for a website that is accessible only by using an IP address in the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing system.
Important Do not launch your website online before an ICP filing is obtained, no matter whether your website is accessible by using an IP address or a domain name. If you launch your website online before an ICP filing is obtained, your ICP filing application may be rejected by the MIIT or your website may be shut down as stipulated by the MIIT. Therefore, we recommend that you wait until an ICP filing is obtained.

If your website is accessible only by using an IP address, log on to the ICP filing system of the local communications administration to apply for an ICP filing.

For websites that provide BBS services

In the Decision of the State Council on the Fifth Batch of Items Subject to Administrative Examination and Approval and to Be Canceled or Delegated to Lower Levels, Article 7 Notice of Canceling Special Approval (Filing) for Internet Electronic Bulletin Services regulates that provincial communications administrations must stop issuing the BBS pre-approval document required for operating a website that provides bulletin board system (BBS) services. Therefore, you cannot apply for an ICP filing for a website that provides BBS services.

For websites that use the HTTP or HTTPS protocol

Websites that use the HTTP or HTTPS protocol also require ICP filings. Do not launch your website online before an ICP filing is obtained.