China Medical Device Registration

To register medical devices in China, foreign manufacturers must first appoint a local NMPA Legal Agent to act as their representative throughout the product lifecycle. (NMPA stands for the National Medical Products Administration, which is China’s regulatory authority responsible for medical devices).

The approval process, whether a registration or filing/notification, depends on the device’s risk classification, which is determined by the NMPA’s Medical Device Classification Catalogue, and is updated every year or so. If a product is not listed in the catalogue, manufacturers can refer to the "Rules for Medical Device Classification" or request an official classification from the NMPA.

At present, a home country approval is required, however, the NMPA has recently issued a draft law which is intended to replace current regulations. And it is expected that these registration requirements will be removed.

Registration dossier
Medical device regulations

Class I Devices

Manufacturers must submit a filing or notification application with technical information, test reports, and quality documentation. Upon approval, the device is listed in the NMPA database, and a Certificate of Filing is issued with indefinite validity unless modified.

Class I Devices

Class II & III Devices

Manufacturers must submit a registration application. These devices require local type testing, either a local Clinical Trial or a China compliant Clinical Evaluation Report (CER), and a Quality Management System review.

Class II & III Devices

Our China Medical Device Registration & Filing Services

We guide you through every step of the China medical device registration process. We take care of compliance 
with NMPA requirements, advising you on the optimal market entry pathway, test methods and helping you through the whole process to achieving your medical device registration certificate.

Our services include: 

NMPA official classification
Device risk class categorization
Advice on best regulatory pathways to register
Feasibility study to review and evaluate the possibility to write a CER based on:
  • Predicate devices 
  • Overseas clinical data 
Import of samples and transport within China
Coordinate and supervise Type Tests in NMPA Accredited Laboratories supported on-site by our in-house test engineers
Write Product Technical Requirements & CER conform to Chinese standards
Registration renewals
Chinese label drafting & UDI support
Prepare and submit new applications:
  • NMPA standard filings for class I & registrations for class II and class III devices
  • NMPA Innovative Medical Device route 
  • Hainan Medical Tourist Pilot Zone 
  • Greater Bay Area Approvals (requiring prior Hong Kong Listing)  
  • NMPA Priority Review 
  • Emergency Approval 
  • Conditional Approval 
Receipt and reply to Supplementary Notices
Change applications

Useful Articles

View More

How China IVD Risk Classification Determines Your NMPA Registration Pathway

Learn how China IVD risk classification works under NMPA rules and see common compliance pitfalls to avoid.

July 13, 2026
How China IVD Risk Classification Determines Your NMPA Registration Pathway

A Guide to South Korea Medical Device Regulation for Global Manufacturers

Understand South Korea’s medical device regulations, from classification to approval and post-market compliance.

July 10, 2026
A Guide to South Korea Medical Device Regulation for Global Manufacturers

Understanding South Korea's Strategic Roadmap for Digital Medical Product Safety Management

Learn how MFDS’s Digital Medical Product Safety Management Roadmap will shape future compliance requirements for digital medical products in Korea.

July 10, 2026
Understanding South Korea's Strategic Roadmap for Digital Medical Product Safety Management
Stock photo of a Korean man in his early 30s sitting comfortably in a bright, contemporary apartment in South Korea, casually reviewing a health monitoring app on his smartphone while wearing a small continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensor on his arm.

What Is the MFDS? Understanding South Korea’s Medical Device Authority

Learn how South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety regulates medical devices, including classification, application review and post-market duties.

July 10, 2026
What Is the MFDS? Understanding South Korea’s Medical Device Authority

Explained: South Korea Medical Device Classification (Class I, II, III, & IV)

Learn how South Korea medical device classification works under the MFDS.

July 10, 2026
Explained: South Korea Medical Device Classification (Class I, II, III, & IV)
Stock photo of an adult South Korean patient wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on the upper arm during a routine appointment in a modern hospital outpatient clinic

China NMPA Fee Catalogue for Drugs & Medical Devices

Learn the latest China NMPA registration fees for imported and domestic drugs and medical devices.

July 10, 2026
China NMPA Fee Catalogue for Drugs & Medical Devices
Previous
Previous

Explore Related Services

Whether you’re just starting out or are a blue-chip, access our wide range of services and solutions to help your business thrive.

NMPA Legal Agent

We are your authorized representative in China, and fulfill your registrations and filings as well as ensuring compliance with quality and PMS requirements.

Learn more

NMPA Type Testing

We provide end-to-end support for China type testing in NMPA-accredited laboratories. Our experienced test engineers offer on-site supervision to guarantee accurate and reliable results.

Learn more

China Clinical Trials

You may be required to provide supplementary clinical data on Chinese patients or conduct a full clinical trial in China.Our clinical research team will advise you, prepare the study protocol and assist setting up the clinical trial in China.

Learn more

NMPA Clinical Evaluation Report

CERs can avoid the need for a China clinical trial in some instances. Our experts can advise and prepare NMPA compliant CERs.

Learn more

Drug Device Combination Products

We assist with the classification, registration, and compliance of combination products in China, whether drug or device led.

Learn more

China Medical Device Quality Compliance

We help you achieve and ensure ongoing compliance with Chinese requirements.Our experts prepare and assist you for official NMPA inspections.

Learn more

Medical Device PMS & Vigilance

The NMPA is placing greater focus on Post-Market Surveillance (PMS) such as more in-market sampling inspections and regular standard changes.

Learn more

Regulatory Outsourcing

If you are seeking specific specialist expertise or have ongoing resource-intensive needs, we have a variety of solutions to meet your needs.

Learn more

Latest Insights

View More

China Expands MRI Registration Requirements Under New 2026 Review Guideline

Manufacturers seeking MRI registration in China must meet expanded technical, software, and validation requirements.

July 16, 2026
China Expands MRI Registration Requirements Under New 2026 Review Guideline
Chinese male MRI technician in a clinical, sterile medical imaging room. The man has a warm, focused expression and is wearing a dark blue medical-style t-shirt

China Releases First Regulatory Guidance for Brain-Computer Interface Medical Devices

China's new BCI medical device guidance establishes classification and naming principles, giving manufacturers a clearer pathway to NMPA registration.

July 14, 2026
China Releases First Regulatory Guidance for Brain-Computer Interface Medical Devices

Hainan MPA Issues Trial Lecheng Real-World Data Guideline for Imported Drug & Medical Device Registration

New Hainan MPA guidance clarifies how Lecheng real-world evidence can support imported product registration, labeling updates, and post-approval activities

July 2, 2026
Hainan MPA Issues Trial Lecheng Real-World Data Guideline for Imported Drug & Medical Device Registration
A clinical trial in Hainan, China, inside a clinical research consultation room at a  hospital. A Chinese doctor in a white lab coat seated across from an adult study participant discussing routine trial procedures, a second researcher reviewing data.

Malaysia MDA Fully Adopts Electronic Establishment Licenses in 2026

MDA will issue only electronic establishment licenses, affecting medical device manufacturers, importers, and distributors.

June 11, 2026
Malaysia MDA Fully Adopts Electronic Establishment Licenses in 2026
stock photograph of a patient and healthcare professional in a modern Malaysian hospital cardiology department

Indonesia Removes IDAK Renewals Under New Licensing Framework

Indonesia removes IDAK renewals, mandates SDAK and IPAK transitions, and shortens correction timelines under risk-based licensing.

June 11, 2026
Indonesia Removes IDAK Renewals Under New Licensing Framework

Malaysia MDA Publishes First Edition Guidance on Change Management for Registered Medical Devices

New MDA guidance introduces a risk-based framework for managing post-registration medical device changes, including software updates and SaMD.

June 11, 2026
Malaysia MDA Publishes First Edition Guidance on Change Management for Registered Medical Devices
stock photo of an advanced handheld vein visualization device being used by a Malaysian nurse in a modern private hospital treatment room in Malaysia
Previous
Previous

Ready to Navigate Complexity & Achieve Success in China & Asia Pacific?

Let Cisema help turn your plans into reality.

Request Proposal