What are classes of goods and services?

When you apply for a trade mark, you need to list the goods and/or services you'll use your trade mark for. It's important to get this right because this determines what your trade mark protects.

Understanding goods and services

Here's a quick video that explains what classes of goods and services are, and why it's so important to your trade mark application.

Introduction to goods and services

Rebecca, like you, is completing her trade mark application. Rebecca is a busy woman so let's get to it.

Currently, there are 45 trade mark classes to choose from. Classes 1 to 34 are for goods and 35 to 45 are for services. The heading of each class tells you the type of goods or services covered in that particular class.

When completing her trade mark application, Rebecca can choose to use the trade mark classification search also known as the picklist. This is a search engine that will allow you to enter keywords, which are then matched with possible claims that are listed in the correct classes.

Remember that a trade mark registration will give you exclusive rights to use your trade mark in connection with the goods or services you are claiming.

First, Rebecca needs to figure out if her application should be for goods, services or both. Her trade mark will be granted in relation to the goods or services she chooses. For Rebecca’s trade mark to be adequately protected she needs to understand the trade mark classes and how to select the right goods or services.

This could save her money.

A trade mark is granted in relation only to the goods or services you apply for: not EVERY good or service. Yes, it’s true, the more you choose, the more you pay! But if you don’t choose the right goods or services then you may not have adequate trade mark protection.

If you register your trade mark in a class that does not match your business you may end up without the protection you actually need. Even worse, after Rebecca has applied for her trade mark she can’t change it to expand the coverage of the goods or services she has chosen. ...so let’s get this right the first time, otherwise you may need to submit another application.

Why it's important to pick the right classes

You'll only have exclusive rights to use your trade mark for the goods and services you list in your application. We examine your application based on the goods and services listed.

Once you submit your application, you can't add new goods and services. To add new ones, you'll need to file a new application.

So, if you include the wrong goods and services, you may:

  • End up with a trade mark that doesn't adequately protect you
  • Have your application denied, and need to submit a new application.

How to pick the right classes


What are the classes?

Goods and services are divided into 45 different classes. Here's a brief overview of each class.

Class 1 - Chemicals for industry, science, photography, agriculture, horticulture and forestry; unprocessed resins and plastics; industrial adhesives; compost, manures, fertilisers

See goods included in Class 1


Class 2 - Paints, varnishes; decorative and protective coatings

See goods included in Class 2


Class 3 - Cosmetics; perfumes; cleaning and polishing preparations

See goods included in Class 3


Class 4 - Candles; fuels; Industrial oils, greases and wax

See goods included in Class 4


Class 5 - Pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary preparations; baby food; dietary supplements

See goods included in Class 5


Class 6 - Common metals and alloys; metal hardware and building materials

See goods included in Class 6


Class 7 - Power-driven machines and machine tools

See goods included in Class 7


Class 8 - Hand‑operated tools; cutlery; razors

See goods included in Class 8


Class 9 - Audiovisual or information technology equipment, downloadable software, scientific or safety equipment; electrical components

See goods included in Class 9


Class 10 - Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments; spectacles, contact lenses and sunglasses

See goods included in Class 10


Class 11 - Lighting; heating, refrigerating and cooking appliances; water supply installations

See goods included in Class 11


Class 12 - Land, air or water vehicles and their parts

See goods included in Class 12


Class 13 - Firearms; ammunition; explosives; fireworks

See goods included in Class 13


Class 14 - Jewellery; precious metals and stones; watches and clocks

See goods included in Class 14


Class 15 - Musical instruments and accessories

See goods included in Class 15


Class 16 - Stationery, art and teaching materials, books and printed publications

See goods included in Class 16


Class 17 - Semi-processed plastics; insulating materials; non-metal flexible pipes and hoses

See goods included in Class 17


Class 18 - Leather; luggage and bags; umbrellas; walking sticks; animal collars and leashes

See goods included in Class 18


Class 19 - Non‑metal building materials and non-metallic structures

See goods included in Class  19


Class 20 - Furniture, mattresses and pillows; non-metal containers

See goods included in Class 20


Class 21 - Household and kitchen utensils and containers; cookware and tableware except cutlery; cleaning articles

See goods included in Class 21


Class 22 - Ropes and string; nets; tents and tarpaulins; sails

See goods included in Class 22


Class 23 - Yarns and threads

See goods included in Class 23


Class 24 - Textile fabrics; household linen and blankets; curtains

See goods included in Class 24


Class 25 - Clothing, footwear and headwear

See goods included in Class 25


Class 26 - Haberdashery and decorations for clothing and hair; wigs; artificial flowers

See goods included in Class 26


Class 27 - Carpets, rugs, mats and matting; materials for covering existing floors; non‑textile wall hangings

See goods included in Class 27


Class 28 - Games, toys and sporting goods

See goods included in Class 28


Class 29 - Meat, eggs, dairy; processed fruit and vegetables; edible oils and fats

See goods included in Class 29


Class 30 - Foods made from processed grains; coffee, tea; condiments, flavour enhancers; confectionary

See goods included in Class 30


Class 31 - Unprocessed grains, fruits and vegetables; live plants and animals; pet food

See goods included in Class 31


Class 32 - Water, non-alcoholic drinks and beer (excluding milk, tea and coffee)

See goods included in Class 32


Class 33 - Alcoholic drinks (excluding beer)

See goods included in Class 33


Class 34 - Tobacco and items for smokers; electronic cigarettes and liquids

See goods included in Class 34

Class 35 - Retail, advertising and business management and administration for others

See services included in Class 35


Class 36 - Financial, monetary and banking services; insurance; real estate services

See services included in Class 36


Class 37 - Construction, installation, repair and cleaning services; mining

See services included in Class 37


Class 38 - Telecommunications services; broadcasting and transmission of data

See services included in Class 38


Class 39 - Transport; packaging and storage of goods; travel arrangement

See services included in Class 39


Class 40 - Custom manufacturing, treatment of materials

See services included in Class 40


Class 41 - Education and training; entertainment; sporting and cultural activities

See services included in Class 41


Class 42 - Computer programming and non-downloadable software services; scientific and technological research, design and development

See services included in Class 42


Class 43 - Food and drink services; temporary accommodation

See services included in Class 43


Class 44 - Medical and veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care; agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture and forestry services

See services included in Class 44


Class 45 - Law, religion, security and social services

See services included in Class 45