How can I avoid paying the non-electronic filing portion of the PCT transmittal fee?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

To avoid paying the non-electronic filing portion of the PCT transmittal fee, you should file your international application electronically using the USPTO’s Electronic Filing System (EFS-Web). This additional fee is only applicable to applications filed on paper.

The MPEP states: “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).”

By using EFS-Web to file your international application, you can:

• Save money on filing fees
• Benefit from a more efficient filing process
• Receive immediate confirmation of your submission
• Potentially expedite the processing of your application

To use EFS-Web, you’ll need to register for a USPTO.gov account if you don’t already have one. Then, you can access the EFS-Web filing system through the USPTO website.