To investigate the association between the metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) -1562C/T polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Han Chinese, the patients with type 2 diabetes were collected and divided into the non-DN (NDN) and DN groups; controls were recruited. Genotype and allele frequencies were assessed using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results showed that SBP, DBP, HbA1c, UAER, Cr, BUN, TG, and TC were higher in the DN group compared with the control and NDN groups. SBP, HbA1c, and TC in DN patients with the TT and CT genotypes were lower than in those with CC. Compared with controls, the frequency of the T allele in the DN group was significantly lower. The MMP9 -1562C allele, SBP, Cr, BUN, TG, and TC were independent risk factors for DN. All of the above suggested that the MMP9 -1562C/T polymorphism was associated with DN in Han Chinese.