What is the non-electronic filing portion of the PCT transmittal fee?
The non-electronic filing portion of the PCT transmittal fee is an additional fee charged by the USPTO for international applications filed on paper rather than through the USPTO’s electronic filing system (EFS-Web). This fee was introduced for applications filed on or after November 15, 2011.
As stated in the MPEP: “For international applications filed on or after November 15, 2011, the transmittal fee paid to the USPTO as Receiving Office consists of both a basic portion and a non-electronic filing portion. See 37 CFR 1.445(a)(1). The non-electronic filing portion is applicable where applicant files the international application in paper rather than by the USPTO’s electronic filing system (EFS-Web).”
This additional fee encourages applicants to use the electronic filing system, which is generally more efficient for both the applicant and the USPTO. To avoid this extra fee, applicants should consider using EFS-Web for filing their international applications.
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