The Guide for Canton Fair You Must Know

GIS teams are communicating with a buyer from Brazil about supplier management and product quality control inspection at the Canton Fair.

Canton Fair, the China Import and Export Fair is the largest trade show in China held twice a year. It functions as a significant platform for manufacturers and suppliers from various industries to showcase their products.

Canton Fair also is the most effective way to develop the business relationships you need to succeed in China. It's no wonder that the Canton Trade Fair has already become a must see for all those looking for business success in China. If you import goods from China, attending the upcoming Canton Fair 2024 holds the potential to significantly enhance your business.

GIS Inspection is a leading third-party quality control and quality assurance agency. GIS has a strong network of 500+ qualified inspectors located in China, Vietnam, India and Malaysia. We are ecstatic to announce that GIS is participating in the 136th Canton Fair! We cordially invite you and your esteemed representatives to join us at the Exhibition in Guangdong Pazhou Complex from October 15th to November 4th, 2024.

What is Canton Fair?

The Canton Fair, also known as China Import and Export Fair, was established in the spring of 1957. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of PRC and the People's Government of Guangdong Province and organized by China Foreign Trade Centre, it is held every spring and autumn in Guangzhou, China.

As a comprehensive international trading event with the longest history, the largest scale, the most complete exhibit variety, the largest buyer attendance, the most diverse buyer origin and the greatest business turnover in China, Canton Fair is hailed as China's largest Fair and the barometer of China's foreign trade.

As the window, epitome and symbol of China's opening up and an important platform for international trade cooperation, Canton Fair has withstood various challenges and never been interrupted since its inception.

It has been successfully held for 135 sessions and established trade relations with more than 229 countries and regions around the world. The accumulated export volume has amounted to about USD 1.5 trillion and the total number of overseas buyers attending the Canton Fair onsite and online has exceeded 10 million.

Canton Fair 2024 and Canton Fair 2025

The Canton Fair takes place twice a year, in spring and autumn. The upcoming Canton Fair 2024 Autumn session is scheduled to run from October 15 to November 04.

Overview of the three phases of the Canton Fair

Canton Fair is grouped thematically - each edition consists of three phases: the first is dedicated to electronics and lighting. The second phase is focused on consumer goods and the third on textiles and medical products. During the Canton Trade Fair, you can find manufacturers of any product - with those who have never been on a fair event of this magnitude, so you should prepare well.

The event is organized into three distinct Canton Fair phases, each spanning five days and dedicated to specific types of products. To connect with the most suitable suppliers for your business, it's important to plan ahead and identify which phase aligns best with your needs.

Here are the Canton Fair 2024 Dates for upcoming autumn session:

Canton Fair Phase 1: October 15-19
Canton Fair Phase 2: October 23-27
Canton Fair Phase 3: October 31-November 04

Each phase covers the specific industries and range of products.

Phase 1

Household Electrical Appliances
Consumer Electronics and Information Products
Industrial Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing
Processing Machinery Equipment
Power Machinery and Electric Power
General Machinery and Mechanical Basic Parts
Construction Machinery
Agricultural Machinery
New Materials and Chemical Products
New Energy Vehicles and Smart Mobility
Vehicles
Vehicle Spare Parts
Motorcycles
Bicycles
Lighting Equipment
Electronic and Electrical Products
New Energy Resources
Hardware
Tools

Phase 2

General Ceramics
Kitchenware and Tableware
Household Items
Glass Artware
Home Decorations
Gardening Products
Festival Products
Gifts and Premiums
Clocks, Watches and Optical Instruments
Art Ceramics
Weaving, Rattan and Iron Products
Building and Decorative Materials
Sanitary and Bathroom Equipment
Furniture
Stone/Iron Decoration and Outdoor Spa Equipment

Phase 3

Toys
Children, Baby and Maternity Products
Kids' Wear
Men and Women's Clothing
Underwear
Sports and Casual Wear
Furs, Leather, Downs and Related Products
Fashion Accessories and Fittings
Textile Raw Materials and Fabrics
Shoes
Cases and Bags
Home Textiles
Carpets and Tapestries
Office Supplies
Medicines, Health Products and Medical Devices
Food
Sports, Travel and Recreation Products
Personal Care Products
Toiletries
Pet Products and Food
Rural Vitalization

How to attend the Canton Fair?

For your convenience and to save your time, overseas buyers are encouraged to pre-register, collect Buyer Badge in advance and at alternative places rather than at the Canton Fair Complex. Before arriving the Complex, overseas buyers can collect Buyer Badges for free at alternative registration offices such as Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou South Railway Station, Pazhou Ferry Terminal anddesignated hotels in Guangzhou after pre-registration.

1.Pre-register for the Canton Fair

The pre-registration and verification for overseas buyers is available now. To register or verify, please go to https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/register/index and click "Overseas Buyer." or scan the QR below:

2. Get your badge at the Registration Offices

Hotels with Registration Service

Canton Fair sets up alternative overseas buyer badge registration offices in 71 hotels in 6 districts of Guangzhou. Please click “Buyer” and “Friendly Reminder for Overseas Buyer Badge Application” on www.cantonfair.org.cn for more information.

Buyer Registration Offices at the Complex

Please refer to the following picture for overseas buyer registration offices. (Note: - are overseas buyer registration offices)

Buyer Registration Offices at Airport, Guangzhou South Railway Station and Pazhou Ferry Terminal

1. Service time of overseas buyer registration offices at Terminal 1 and 2 of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport: October 12-November 1.

2. Service time of overseas buyer registration offices at East and West Entrance, Floor 1 of Guangzhou South Railway Station: October 14-18, 22-26, 30-31, and November 1.

3. Service time of overseas buyer registration offices at Arrival, Floor 3 of Pazhou Ferry Terminal: October 14-18, 22-26, 30-31 and November 1.

Buyer Registration Office in Hong Kong

Buyers can apply for Overseas Buyer Badge throughout the year at the Buyer Registration Office in Hong Kong.

Address: Room 3106 – 3107, Office Tower, Convention Plaza, No.1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Customer Service Hotline: (852)2877 1318
Email:cs@cantonfair.org.cn
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10 am to 12:30 pm & 2 pm to 5 pm; Closed on Saturday, Sunday and in Hong Kong Public Holidays
Website: https://hk.cantonfair.org.cn.

3. Documents required for the badge

The original copy of the valid overseas personal identity documents, namely, foreign passports, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents, valid overseas Chinese identity documents (Chinese passports and overseas permanent residence permits/visas), or Chinese passports with valid overseas work visas for more than one year.
An electronic or printed receipt of pre-registration
Business card

4. Registration Office operating hours

Overseas Buyers' Registration Office in China Import and Export Fair Complex:

l Phase I

Apr./Oct.12, 10:30-18:00
Apr./Oct. 13-18, 8:30-18:00
Apr. /Oct.19, 8:30-16:00

l Phase II

Apr./Oct. 22, 10:30-18:00
Apr./Oct. 23-26, 8:30-18:00
Apr. /Oct.27, 8:30-16:00

l Phase III

In Spring: Apr 30, 10:30-18:00; May 1-4, 8:30-18:00; May 5, 8:30-14:00
In Autumn: Oct. 30 10:30-18:00; Oct. 31-Nov.3, 8:30-18:00; Nov. 4, 8:30-14:00

4 Essential Tips for Attending the Canton Fair

Being properly prepared beforehand will make the whole experience much more pleasant. Here are some essential tips to help you make the most of your visit:

Tip 1: Before You Book Your Trip

Which phase will the products you are interested in fall under? Make sure you book your trip at the right time.
Research Exhibitors-Identify Key Exhibitors: Use the fair’s website to find exhibitors that match your interests. Create a list of booths you want to visit and note their locations.
Are you going to need a guide and translator? Some of the exhibitors will speak English but a translator may be needed at times. There is also a big difference between Chinese culture and Western culture. It will pay you to learn what some of these differences are before you leave so you get the most out of the experience.
It’s a good idea to stay at least three to four days to get the most out of your trip – there is too much to see in even one or two days.
Pre-register online before you leave to make it easier when you get there.
WeChat is an extremely popular way to communicate in China due to restrictions on many forms of social media. Download the WeChat app and start getting to know it’s features.

Tip 2: When You Pack

You will need to pack comfortable clothes and shoes. Expect a lot of walking; comfortable footwear is a must. Consider the weather and the business setting.
Pack a couple of notebooks and also work out some generic questions you will ask prospective suppliers like what the minimum order quantities are, customizability, etc.
Make sure that you have either a bag on wheels or a backpack to take with you to the fair. You will receive a number of business cards, pamphlets, etc. throughout the day and these get heavy to carry after a while.
Have plenty of business cards made to take with you – this helps to convince exhibitors that you are a serious business person and many will want a business card if you ask for a brochure.

Tip 3: Know How to Get to and From the Fair

There are a lot of options when it comes to getting to and from the fair.

The cheapest and easiest is usually to take the hotel shuttle. Just make sure that you know what times they arrive and leave because they are very strict about keeping to schedule.
The metro system will take you just about anywhere you want to go but it is easy to get yourself lost. Learn the route you need to take and what stations you must get off at the upfront. Download a Baidu Map APP or Gaode Map App, just enter your destination, and the App will show you the metro route very clearly.
Taxis are relatively inexpensive but there have been reports of taxi drivers being less than scrupulous with tourists. This won’t always be the case but it pays to be on your guard.
Ride-hailing. DiDi is similar to Uber. In China, DiDi is the dominant ride-hailing platform and offers a variety of services tailored to local needs.

Tip 4: At the Canton Fair

Get too involved in conversations with the exhibitors you are interested. This is where your notebooks come in handy. Looking up information about the companies that you were interested in and do some more in-depth reading on the products you were interested in so that you can whittle down the list of people to speak to.

Network Effectively-Engage with exhibitors and fellow attendees. Look for scheduled networking events to meet other professionals.

FAQs

1. How to search for Exhibitors & Products of Canton Fair Phases?

Newest floor plan here: https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/customPages/tradeAssistant#/hallMap/first

Find the best deals on the newest products from China's top manufacturers at Canton Fair. Join the world's largest trade fair and stay ahead of the competition.

You can search by exhibitor or exhibit in the "Exhibitors + Products" section. By using filter "Product", "Exhibitor" or "Booth" link: https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/customPages/exhibition

2. How to apply for the Canton Fair Invitation?

With the Invitation(pre-registration), overseas buyers could:

Apply for Visa to China(Please be kindly noted that the invitation letter issued by Canton Fair might help you get the Chinese Visa but it all depends on the Chinese Embassy in your country)
Get a registered and free entry badge to the Fair by Express Channel.

Overseas buyers could apply invitation to Canton Fair through pre-registar at official website:

https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/register/index

3. When is the Canton Fair 2025? Dates for Canton Fair, China Import and Export Fair Schedule

When is the Canton Fair 2025 or 2026? The Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou, China. A Spring session and an Autumn session. Each session is divided into three phases, each with different products on display.