APNIC IPv4 Transfer Guide
Everything you need to know about buying and selling IPv4 addresses in the APNIC region — policies, requirements, step-by-step process, and expert support.
About APNIC
The Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) is the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) responsible for IP address allocation and management in the Asia Pacific region. APNIC serves 56 economies across Asia and the Pacific, including major markets like China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Southeast Asian nations.
APNIC exhausted its general IPv4 pool in April 2011, making it one of the first RIRs to reach exhaustion. Since then, the organization has maintained a small "last /8" pool (103.0.0.0/8) that provides each new member with a single /23 allocation (512 addresses).
Due to early exhaustion and massive demand in the Asia Pacific region, the secondary market for APNIC IPv4 addresses is one of the most active globally. APNIC has well-established transfer policies that facilitate market-based reallocation of IPv4 resources.
APNIC Transfer Policy
APNIC's IPv4 transfer policy allows the transfer of IP address resources between APNIC account holders, as well as inter-RIR transfers with ARIN and RIPE NCC. The policy is designed to facilitate efficient reallocation of IPv4 resources while maintaining registry accuracy.
There are two main types of transfers under APNIC policy. Intra-RIR transfers occur between two APNIC account holders within the Asia Pacific region. Inter-RIR transfers involve moving resources between APNIC and another RIR (currently supported with ARIN and RIPE NCC).
Unlike some other RIRs, APNIC does not impose a needs-based justification requirement for receiving transfers. This means buyers do not need to demonstrate immediate need for the addresses — they simply need a valid APNIC account. This pragmatic approach has made the APNIC transfer market relatively straightforward.
Intra-RIR Transfers
Transfers between two APNIC account holders. No needs justification required. Both parties must have active APNIC accounts in good standing.
Inter-RIR Transfers (to ARIN)
APNIC resources can be transferred to ARIN. The ARIN recipient must meet ARIN's needs-based transfer policy requirements.
Inter-RIR Transfers (to RIPE)
APNIC resources can be transferred to RIPE NCC. The RIPE recipient needs a sponsoring LIR or direct membership.
No Needs Justification
APNIC does not require buyers to demonstrate utilization need, making the transfer process more streamlined than some other RIRs.
Transfer Requirements
Both the source (seller) and recipient (buyer) must meet certain requirements to complete an APNIC IPv4 transfer successfully.
The seller must hold the resources under a valid APNIC account, have no outstanding fees or disputes, and must not have received the resources from APNIC's "last /8" pool within the past 24 months (the holding period restriction).
The buyer must have an active APNIC account in good standing. If they don't have one, they need to become an APNIC member or establish an account through a National Internet Registry (NIR) in their economy. Account setup typically takes 1–3 business days.
Seller Requirements
Valid APNIC account, no outstanding fees, resources not from "last /8" pool within 24-month holding period, authorization to transfer.
Buyer Requirements
Active APNIC account or NIR membership. No needs-based justification required. Account must be in good standing with current fees paid.
Minimum Block Size
The minimum transferable block size is /24 (256 addresses). Smaller allocations cannot be independently transferred or routed.
Documentation
Both parties must provide signed transfer agreements and identity verification. ipv4.center handles all documentation preparation.
Transfer Process Steps
The APNIC IPv4 transfer process is well-defined and typically more streamlined than some other RIR regions. Here is the step-by-step process from agreement to completion.
Step 1: The buyer and seller agree on terms, typically facilitated by a broker like ipv4.center. A purchase agreement is signed and funds are deposited into escrow.
Step 2: Both parties complete the APNIC transfer request form. The seller authorizes the transfer of specified resources, and the buyer confirms acceptance. ipv4.center prepares and coordinates all paperwork.
Step 3: APNIC Hostmaster reviews the transfer request, verifies both accounts, checks the holding period restriction, and validates the request. This review typically takes 5–10 business days.
Step 4: Upon approval, APNIC updates the registry records to reflect the new resource holder. The buyer can then create RPKI/ROA records and begin announcing the prefix.
Step 5: Escrow funds are released to the seller upon confirmed transfer completion. ipv4.center verifies the transfer in the APNIC Whois database before authorizing release.
Transfer Fees and Timeline
APNIC charges a transfer processing fee for each IPv4 transfer. The fee structure is based on the size of the transfer and whether it is an intra-RIR or inter-RIR transfer.
Intra-RIR transfer fees are generally modest, typically around AUD 500–1,500 depending on the block size. Inter-RIR transfers may incur additional fees from the receiving RIR. APNIC membership fees are separate and based on your total IPv4 holdings.
The typical timeline for an APNIC intra-RIR transfer is 2–3 weeks from submission to completion. Inter-RIR transfers take longer (3–6 weeks) as they require coordination between two registries. Timelines can vary based on APNIC Hostmaster workload and the complexity of the transfer.
Intra-RIR Transfer
Processing time: 2–3 weeks. Fees: ~AUD 500–1,500 depending on block size. Single registry process.
Inter-RIR Transfer
Processing time: 3–6 weeks. Additional fees may apply from receiving RIR. Dual registry coordination required.
APNIC Membership
Annual fees based on total IPv4 holdings. New members can expect AUD 1,300–2,600/year for small to medium allocations.
Account Setup
New APNIC account creation takes 1–3 business days. Required before initiating any transfer request.
IPv4Center APNIC Support
ipv4.center provides comprehensive support for APNIC IPv4 transfers, handling every step of the process so you can focus on your business. Our team has extensive experience with APNIC transfer procedures and maintains direct communication channels with APNIC Hostmasters.
We assist buyers with APNIC account setup if needed, prepare all transfer documentation, coordinate with both parties throughout the process, and provide escrow payment protection for every transaction.
Our marketplace features a wide selection of APNIC IPv4 blocks in various sizes, all pre-screened for blacklist cleanliness. Whether you need a single /24 or a large /16 block, we can match you with available inventory or source blocks from our network of sellers across the Asia Pacific region.
Full-Service Brokerage
End-to-end management of your APNIC transfer — from matching buyer and seller to completing the registry update.
Escrow Protection
All transactions secured with escrow. Funds are only released after APNIC confirms the transfer is complete.
Account Assistance
Need an APNIC account? We guide you through the membership application and account setup process.
Post-Transfer Support
After transfer completion, we help with RPKI/ROA setup, reverse DNS configuration, and initial routing verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about APNIC IPv4 transfers.
Yes, you need an active APNIC account to receive transferred IPv4 resources. You can become a direct APNIC member or establish an account through a National Internet Registry (NIR) in your economy. ipv4.center can guide you through the account setup process.
Intra-RIR transfers (within APNIC) typically take 2–3 weeks from submission to completion. Inter-RIR transfers (APNIC to ARIN or RIPE) take 3–6 weeks due to dual registry coordination. Processing times can vary based on APNIC workload.
Yes, APNIC supports inter-RIR transfers with both RIPE NCC and ARIN. The process requires coordination between both registries and the recipient must meet the receiving RIR's transfer policy requirements.
Resources received from APNIC's "last /8" pool (103.0.0.0/8) have a 24-month holding period before they can be transferred. Resources obtained through other means (historical allocations, previous transfers) have no holding period restriction.
The minimum transferable block size is /24 (256 IP addresses). This is consistent across all RIRs and represents the smallest independently routable prefix on the global internet.
APNIC IPv4 prices vary by block size and market conditions. As of 2026, /24 blocks typically range from $25–32 per IP. Larger blocks may command different per-IP pricing. APNIC also charges transfer processing fees separately.