In trademark law, a brand name is not protected in an abstract commercial vacuum. Under the **Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001** and the international **Nice Agreeme
By Syed Asad Hussain Zaidi · 8 September 2026
| Category | Classes | Scope & Coverage | Key Pakistani Sectors | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Goods | Classes 1 to 34 | Tangible manufactured articles, raw materials, commodities, physical goods. | Agriculture, FMCG, textiles, pharma, electronics, chemicals. | | Services | Classes 35 to 45 | Intangible commercial activities, business operations, professional services. | Retail, FinTech, software/SaaS, hospitality, logistics, healthcare. |- title: "Nice Classification Classes 1 to 45 in Pakistan: The Complete Trademark Index (2026)" seoTitle: "Trademark Classes 1 to 45 in Pakistan (2026)" description: "Complete 2026 guide to all 45 Nice Classification classes in Pakistan. Detailed directory of Goods (Classes 1–34) and Services (Classes 35–45) with IPO tips." keywords: "trademark classes 1 to 45 pakistan, nice classification pakistan, goods and services trademark classes, ipo pakistan class directory, trademark class search" ogImage: "/attachedassets/blogimages/tmclassesdocumentary_1788685595103.jpg"
Author Note / Last Updated: Updated September 2026 by Syed Asad Hussain Zaidi | Advocate High Court | Senior Corporate & IP Advisory Counsel.
In trademark law, a brand name is not protected in an abstract commercial vacuum. Under the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001 and the international Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services, trademark protection is strictly compartmentalized into forty-five (45) distinct classes.
Registering a trademark in the wrong class—or failing to file defensive applications across neighboring classes—is one of the most common and catastrophic errors made by Pakistani business owners. A luxury apparel house that registers its mark in Class 25 (clothing) but neglects Class 35 (retail store services) will discover to its horror that a competitor can legally open a retail boutique bearing the exact same brand name. Similarly, a software company registering in Class 9 (hardware) but omitting Class 42 (cloud hosting and SaaS) leaves its core technology exposed to copycats.
This definitive guide provides an exhaustive, class-by-class directory of all 45 Nice Classification classes tailored to Pakistani commerce, dissecting goods versus services, highlighting high-frequency conflict zones, and outlining strategic specification rules.
1. Statutory Architecture of Trademark Classification in Pakistan
The legal framework governing trademark classification in Pakistan is anchored in:
Section 12 of the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001: Mandates that goods and services shall be classified according to the international classification system.
Rule 12 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2004: Adopts the Nice Classification (12th Edition) published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The Principle of Specialty: A registered mark in Class 30 (tea) does not automatically prevent an independent third party from using the same name for Class 12 (motorcycles), unless the mark qualifies for enhanced protection as a "Well-Known Mark" under Section 86 of the Ordinance.
| Classification Division | Classes Included | Nature of Items Protected | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Goods Division | Classes 1 to 34 | Tangible physical manufactured goods, raw materials, FMCG, industrial machinery, pharmaceuticals, apparel, and hardware. | | Services Division | Classes 35 to 45 | Intangible commercial activities, retail trade, software development/SaaS, financial technology, education, healthcare, and hospitality. |
2. Exhaustive Directory: Goods (Classes 1 to 34)
Part I: Chemicals, Paints & Personal Care Products
Class 1 (Chemicals & Industrial Raw Materials): Chemicals used in industry, science, agriculture, horticulture, and forestry; unprocessed plastics, artificial resins; biological fertilizers; chemical soil conditioners.
Pakistani Context:* Crucial for industrial chemical distributors in Faisalabad and Karachi, fertilizer manufacturers (Engro, Fauji), and textile dyes.
Class 2 (Paints, Varnishes & Anti-Corrosion): Paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust and wood deterioration; colorants, mordants; raw natural resins; foil metals for painters.
Class 3 (Cosmetics, Soaps, Perfumes & Cleaning): Non-medicated cosmetics and toiletry preparations; perfumes, essential oils; bleaching preparations and laundry detergents; soaps and cleaning powders.
Pakistani Context:* High litigation volume. Spans luxury fragrances (J., Khaadi), skincare, and mass laundry bars (Sufi, Wheel).
Class 4 (Industrial Oils, Fuels & Illuminants): Industrial oils and greases; lubricants; dust absorbing compositions; motor fuels (petrol, diesel, CNG), illuminating oils, and candles.
Pakistani Context:* Petroleum marketing companies (PSO, Shell, Total Parco) and industrial grease manufacturers.
Part II: Pharmaceuticals, Metals, Machinery & Hardware
Class 5 (Pharmaceuticals, Dietary Supplements & Herbal Medicine): Pharmaceuticals, medical preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic foods and nutraceuticals; baby foods; disinfectants; veterinary preparations.
Pakistani Context:* Highest volume class at IPO-Pakistan. Covers DRAP-regulated allopathic drugs, nutraceutical syrups, and traditional Unani / Tibb herbal remedies (Hamdard, Qarshi).
Class 6 (Common Metals & Hardware Alloys): Common metals and their alloys; metal building materials; transportable buildings of metal; non-electric cables and metal wires; small metal hardware; metal pipes, safes.
Pakistani Context:* Steel rebar mills (Mughal, Amreli), aluminum fabricators, and metal lock manufacturers.
Class 7 (Machinery, Motors & Power Tools): Machines, machine tools, power-operated tools; motors and engines (except for land vehicles); agricultural implements; incubators for eggs; automatic vending machines.
Pakistani Context:* Industrial textile looms, agricultural tube-well pumps, wheat threshers in Punjab, and electric generators.
Class 8 (Hand Tools, Cutlery & Implements): Hand tools and hand-operated implements; cutlery, side arms, razors.
Pakistani Context:* Vital for Sialkot's surgical instrument and cutlery export corridor.
Part III: Electronics, Lighting, Vehicles & Luxury Goods
Class 9 (Electronics, Computers, Hardware & Software): Scientific, research, navigation, audio-visual, optical, measuring instruments; downloadable computer software and mobile apps; computers, smartphones, peripheral devices; smart cards; fire-extinguishing apparatus.
Pakistani Context:* Covers consumer electronics (QMobile, Infinix distributors), smart meters, solar inverters, and downloadable mobile apps.
Class 10 (Medical, Dental & Surgical Devices): Surgical, medical, dental, and veterinary apparatus and instruments; artificial limbs, eyes, and teeth; orthopedic articles; suture materials; therapeutic and diagnostic devices.
Pakistani Context:* Sialkot surgical cluster flagship class. Also covers diagnostic monitors, hospital beds, and surgical gloves.
Class 11 (Lighting, Heating & Appliances): Apparatus and installations for lighting, heating, cooling, steam generating, cooking, drying, ventilating, and water supply.
Pakistani Context:* Major home appliance manufacturers in Gujranwala and Lahore (Dawlance, Haier, Pel, Orient fans).
Class 12 (Vehicles & Transportation): Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air, or water; automobiles, motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, bicycles, automotive parts.
Class 15 (Musical Instruments): Musical instruments; music stands, batons, tuners.
Part IV: Paper, Packaging, Rubber, Building Materials & Furniture
Class 16 (Paper, Cardboard, Printed Matter & Stationery): Paper and cardboard; printed publications, books, magazines; stationery, adhesives for stationery; drawing materials, paintbrushes; plastic materials for packaging.
Pakistani Context:* Book publishers in Urdu Bazaar (Lahore/Karachi), school stationery brands (Piano, Deer), and commercial packaging boxes.
Class 17 (Rubber, Plastics, Insulation & Hoses): Unprocessed and semi-processed rubber, gutta-percha, asbestos; plastics in extruded form for manufacture; packing, stopping, and insulating materials; flexible hoses.
Class 18 (Leather Goods, Luggage & Bags): Leather and imitations of leather; animal skins; trunks and travelling bags; umbrellas; walking sticks; saddlery, collars, and leashes.
Class 19 (Non-Metallic Building Materials): Non-metallic building materials; rigid pipes for building; asphalt, pitch, and bitumen; non-metallic transportable buildings; monuments of stone.
Pakistani Context:* Cement manufacturers (Lucky, Bestway, DG Khan), ceramic tiles, and construction marble.
Class 20 (Furniture, Mirrors & Mattresses): Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; non-metallic containers; unworked or semi-worked bone, horn, or mother-of-pearl.
Pakistani Context:* Gujrat and Chiniot furniture clusters, foam and mattress manufacturers (Master MoltyFoam, Diamond Supreme).
Class 21 (Household Utensils, Glassware & Kitchenware): Household or kitchen utensils and containers; cookware and tableware; combs and sponges; glassware, porcelain, and earthenware.
Class 22 (Ropes, Sails, Tents & Tarpaulins): Ropes and string; nets; tents and tarpaulins; sacks for the transport and storage of materials in bulk; raw fibrous textile materials.
Class 23 (Yarns and Threads for Textile Use): Yarns and threads for textile use.
Pakistani Context:* Spinning mills across Faisalabad, Multan, and Karachi.
Part V: Textiles, Fashion, FMCG Foods, Agriculture & Tobacco
Class 24 (Fabrics & Textile Goods): Textiles and substitutes for textiles; household linen; curtains of textile or plastic; bedsheets, blankets, towels.
Pakistani Context:* The bedrock of Pakistan's retail and export economy: designer lawn fabrics, unstitched suitings, bedsheets, and towels.
Pakistani Context:* Highest volume fashion class (Sapphire, Gul Ahmed, Sana Safinaz, Servis, Bata, Borjan).
Class 26 (Lace, Ribbons, Buttons & Embroidery): Lace, braids, and embroidery; ribbons and bow buttons; hooks and eyes, pins, and needles; artificial flowers; hair decorations.
Pakistani Context:* Zari, lace, and embroidery embellishments for bridal wear.
Class 27 (Carpets, Rugs & Floor Coverings): Carpets, rugs, mats, and matting; linoleum and other materials for covering existing floors; wall hangings.
Class 28 (Games, Toys & Sporting Goods): Games, toys, and playthings; video game apparatus; gymnastic and sporting articles; decorations for Christmas trees.
Pakistani Context:* World-famous Sialkot footballs (FIFA World Cup balls), cricket bats, boxing gloves, and field hockey sticks.
Class 29 (Meat, Fish, Poultry & Dairy): Meat, fish, poultry, and game; meat extracts; preserved, frozen, dried, and cooked fruits and vegetables; jellies, jams, compotes; eggs; milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, and other milk products; edible oils and fats.
Pakistani Context:* Dairy giants (Nestlé Milkpak, Olper's, Engro), cooking oil and banaspati ghee (Dalda, Habib, Sufi), and packaged meats (K&N's).
Class 30 (Coffee, Tea, Spices, Flour, Rice & Confectionery): Coffee, tea, cocoa; rice, pasta, noodles; tapioca and sago; flour and preparations made from cereals; bread, pastries, and confectionery; chocolate; ice cream; sugar, honey; yeast, baking-powder; salt; seasonings, spices; vinegar.
Class 31 (Raw Agriculture, Seeds & Fresh Produce): Raw and unprocessed agricultural, aquacultural, horticultural, and forestry products; raw and unprocessed grains and seeds; fresh fruits and vegetables; natural plants and flowers; foodstuffs for animals.
Class 32 (Beers, Mineral Waters, Juices & Soft Drinks): Beers; non-alcoholic beverages; mineral and aerated waters; fruit beverages and fruit juices; syrups and other non-alcoholic preparations for making beverages.
Pakistani Context:* Bottled mineral water (Aquafina, Kinley, Gourmet), carbonated soft drinks, and traditional fruit squashes (Rooh Afza, Jam-e-Shirin).
Class 33 (Alcoholic Beverages): Alcoholic beverages (except beers); wine, spirits, and liqueurs.
Pakistani Context:* Heavily restricted in domestic commerce; relevant for licensed manufacturers (Murree Brewery) and export portfolios.
Class 34 (Tobacco & Smokers' Articles): Tobacco and tobacco substitutes; cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos; electronic cigarettes and oral vaporizers; smokers' articles; matches.
Pakistani Context:* Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC), Philip Morris Pakistan, and booming disposable vape brands.
3. Exhaustive Directory: Services (Classes 35 to 45)
| Sector Cluster | Nice Classes | Representative Industry Sectors | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Commercial & Financial | Class 35: Retail, advertising & business management<br>Class 36: Banking, insurance & FinTech<br>Class 37: Construction & repair | E-commerce marketplaces, commercial retail chains, mobile wallets, banking, property development. | | Technology & Communications | Class 38: Telecommunications<br>Class 41: Education & digital entertainment<br>Class 42: Software engineering, cloud SaaS & IT hosting | Telecom operators, educational platforms, game publishers, cloud computing platforms. | | Hospitality & Care | Class 43: Hotels, restaurants & catering<br>Class 44: Medical & healthcare services<br>Class 45: Legal, security & personal services | Restaurant chains, hotel groups, diagnostic clinics, private security providers. |
Class 35 (Advertising, Business Management & Retail Services): Advertising; business management, organization, and administration; office functions; retail and wholesale store services; online retail marketplace services.
Pakistani Context:* The universal service class. Every retailer (Daraz, retail supermarkets, brick-and-mortar clothing stores, digital agencies) must file here.
Class 36 (Banking, Financial, Insurance & Real Estate): Financial, monetary, and banking services; insurance services; real estate affairs.
Class 37 (Construction, Installation & Repair Services): Construction services; installation, maintenance, and repair services; mining extraction, oil and gas drilling.
Pakistani Context:* Construction contractors, civil infrastructure developers, HVAC installation services, and auto repair networks.
Class 38 (Telecommunications): Telecommunications services; transmission of electronic mail, messages, and video; broadcasting; cellular network services; internet service provision.
Class 40 (Treatment of Materials & Custom Manufacturing): Treatment of materials; custom manufacturing of goods; recycling of waste; textile dyeing and printing; metal plating.
Pakistani Context:* Commission-based textile dying units in Faisalabad, steel heat treatment, and custom toll manufacturing.
Class 41 (Education, Training, Entertainment & Sporting): Education; providing of training; entertainment; sporting and cultural activities; publishing of books; film and television production.
Pakistani Context:* Private school networks (Beaconhouse, City School), universities (LUMS, NUST), cricket leagues (PSL franchises), and media channels (Geo, ARY, Hum TV).
Class 42 (Scientific, Technological, Software & SaaS Services): Scientific and technological services and research; industrial design; quality control; design and development of computer hardware and software; cloud computing; Software-as-a-Service (SaaS); hosting platforms.
Pakistani Context:* Pakistan's multi-billion dollar IT export sector. Systems Limited, NetSol, 10Pearls, venture-backed SaaS startups.
Class 43 (Hospitality, Restaurants & Temporary Accommodation): Services for providing food and drink; temporary accommodation; restaurants, cafes, fast-food outlets, catering; hotels, motels, guest houses.
Class 44 (Medical, Veterinary & Beauty Care Services): Medical services; veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals; agriculture, horticulture, and forestry services.
Pakistani Context:* Hospital networks (Shaukat Khanum, Aga Khan, Chughtai Lab), beauty salons, and dermatology clinics.
Class 45 (Legal, Security & Personal Services): Legal services; security services for the physical protection of tangible property and individuals; personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals (e.g., matrimonial bureaus, investigation agencies).
Pakistani Context:* Law firms, corporate compliance agencies, security guard companies (G4S, Phoenix), and investigation agencies.
4. The Four Most Dangerous Classification Traps in Pakistan
Filing in the wrong class will either cause your application to be rejected by the Registrar or leave your business completely defenseless against copycats. Beware of these recurring industry pitfalls:
| Classification Trap | Underlying Risk | Strategic Precaution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Trap 1: Fashion Retail Divide | Class 25 covers apparel; Class 35 covers retail shop services. Filing only Class 25 permits a rival to open a retail clothing store under your name. | File dual applications under both Class 25 (garments) and Class 35 (retail clothing store services). | | Trap 2: Tech / SaaS Divide | Class 9 covers downloadable APK/software; Class 42 covers cloud/SaaS web platforms. Filing only Class 9 leaves browser-based SaaS unprotected. | Protect software platforms across Class 9 (downloadable app) and Class 42 (hosted SaaS / cloud platform). | | Trap 3: FMCG Food Split | Class 29 covers edible oils, dairy, meats; Class 30 covers tea, spices, confectionery. Filing only one leaves related food categories vulnerable. | Cross-file across Class 29 and Class 30 for complete food brand perimeter protection. | | Trap 4: Nutraceutical / Pharma Split | Class 5 covers medicinal and pharmaceutical drugs; Class 30 covers food tonics and herbal teas. IPO examiners reject medical claims without DRAP licenses. | Position non-medicinal nutritional supplements carefully between Class 5 and Class 30 depending on DRAP approval status. |
Trap 1: The Fashion Retail Dilemma (Class 25 vs. Class 35)
Clothing manufacturers frequently believe that obtaining a registration in Class 25 (Clothing) shields their brand completely. It does not. Class 25 covers the physical garments. If you open a flagship boutique or an e-commerce website selling those garments, your retail activity is classified under Class 35 (Retail store services featuring clothing). Sophisticated brand pirates regularly monitor Class 25 filings and register the identical name in Class 35 to open copycat outlets. Best Practice: Always file Class 25 and Class 35 concurrently.
Trap 2: The Tech & SaaS Conundrum (Class 9 vs. Class 42)
Tech startups frequently ask whether software belongs to Class 9 or Class 42:
If a customer downloads an app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store onto their device, that downloadable software is a good falling into Class 9.
If a customer logs into a web dashboard to access a hosted platform without downloading binary files (Cloud Computing / SaaS), that is a service falling into Class 42.
Best Practice: Modern tech companies must register in both Class 9 and Class 42, adding Class 35 for their digital marketplace activities.
5. Overcoming the "Vague Specification" Rejection under Rule 12
Under historical practice decades ago, applicants routinely claimed "all goods included in this class" or the entire class heading.
REGULATORY WARNING: The Trade Marks Registry of Pakistan now strictly enforces Rule 12 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2004. Examiners issue immediate Examination Reports and show-cause objections under Section 27 and Rule 12 against applications that claim overly broad, generic class headings.
How to Draft Compliant Goods Specifications:
Incorrect (Will be Rejected):"All goods included in Class 30."
Correct (Will be Accepted):"Rice, basmati rice, spices, turmeric, red chili powder, wheat flour, bakery confectionery, biscuits, tea, and seasonings, all being goods included in Class 30."
Providing a specific, tailored schedule of goods expedites examination, avoids unnecessary prior-art citations from unrelated sub-industries, and protects your registration against Section 73 non-use revocation actions.
6. Strategic Multi-Class Filing Checklist for Pakistani Businesses
Before lodging your application via the IPO-Pakistan E-Filing Portal or in paper format at the registry counters, verify your classification strategy against this checklist:
[ ] Identify Core vs. Ancillary Classes: Pinpoint your primary revenue engine (e.g., Class 25 for clothes) and identify defensive perimeter classes (Class 35 retail, Class 18 leather accessories).
[ ] Audit Potential Cross-Class Conflicts: Review whether your proposed word mark conflicts with famous brands in related classes (e.g., Class 32 soft drinks vs. Class 30 tea/coffee).
[ ] Draft Specific, Concrete Specifications: Avoid copy-pasting entire class headings; tailor terms to match your actual product catalog and three-year commercial roadmap.
[ ] Verify E-Filing Fee Multipliers: Official government fees in Pakistan are levied per class. Budget Rs. 3,000/- per class for Form TM-1 application fees (plus search fees).
[ ] Conduct Class-Specific Searches: Execute Form TM-55 official searches across all target classes before filing to confirm zero prior citations exist.
Conclusion: Engineering a Flawless Classification Defense
A trademark registration is only as strong as the classes in which it is anchored. By understanding the intricate boundaries of the Nice Classification system, avoiding common cross-class traps, and drafting precise specifications of goods and services, enterprises can construct an unassailable brand fortress across Pakistan.
For comprehensive trademark searches, multi-class filing strategies, and classification audits across all 45 Nice classes, contact our IP Strategy & Prosecution Practice Group at TaxCalc.pk / Zaidi & Associates.
Legal & Statutory Notice: The information provided in this publication is for general educational, academic, and statutory informational purposes only under the relevant laws of Pakistan (including the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the Companies Act, 2017, and the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001). This content does not constitute formal legal, financial, or tax advice. For specific assessments, consult a licensed Advocate or qualified tax professional.
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