The Canton Fair—officially known as the China Import and Export Fair—is China’s longest-running, largest-scale, highest-level, and most comprehensive international trade event, featuring the widest variety of products. It is hailed as “China’s No. 1 Exhibition” and serves as both a “barometer” and a “weather vane” for China’s foreign trade.
Registration & Entry (Most Important)
You must register online in advance; the queues for on-site registration are extremely long.
- Official Website: buyer.cantonfair.org.cn
- Official App: Canton Fair
What to Prepare:
- Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months)
- Digital passport photo
Once processed, you will receive an Electronic Buyer’s Badge (e-badge).
Note: Do not lend your credentials to anyone, as they will be confiscated.
Document Processing
Purchasing Representatives (holding work visas) are required to visit the exhibition venue to process their credentials.
Additionally, accompanying assistants and interpreters for overseas buyers will no longer be issued “Purchasing Representative” badges; instead, they will be issued a standardized “Overseas Buyer Companion” badge. These individuals are also required to visit the exhibition venue to process their credentials.
- Remote Processing:
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (International Arrivals Halls at Terminals 2 and 3)
- Guangzhou South Railway Station: Service Counters at the East and West Entrances (1st Floor)
- Guangzhou Pazhou Port: Immigration Area (3rd Floor)
- Canton Fair Hong Kong Office: Rooms 3106–3107, Office Tower, Convention Plaza, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
- Exhibition Hall Processing:
- Canton Fair Badge Issuance Center (Area D): Metro Line 8, Xingang East Station, Exit A
- Canton Fair Badge Issuance Center (Area B): Metro Line 8, Pazhou Station, Exits A/B; or Metro Line 11, Pazhou Station, Exit E
- Canton Fair Badge Issuance Center (Area C): Metro Line 8, Pazhou Station, Exit C
- Hotel Processing:
- 60 Designated Hotels in Guangzhou for Canton Fair Overseas Buyer Registration
I’ve placed the remaining hotel names at the very bottom of the article.
Exhibition Dates (3 Phases, Not Continuous)
The Canton Fair is divided into three phases; they do not run consecutively, as the venue closes between phases for booth setup：
Open daily from 9:30 to 18:00.
Phase 1: April 15–19 — Electronics, Home Appliances, Machinery, Hardware
Phase 2: April 23–27 — Home Furnishings, Building Materials, Gifts, Kitchenware (George will be there during this phase.)
Phase 3: May 1–5 — Clothing, Footwear, Food, Office Supplies
The venue is closed—and entry is not permitted—on April 20–22 and April 28–30!
Venue & Transportation
It consists of four zones (A, B, C, and D), and you won’t be able to cover them all in a single day.
Check the official website in advance to confirm:
- Which phase features the specific products you are looking for.
- The booth numbers of your target companies.
Venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex (Canton Fair Complex)
- No. 380 Yuejiang Middle Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Wear comfortable shoes—you can easily expect to clock over 15,000 steps each day!
Transportation:
Metro:
Line 8: Pazhou Station (Exits A/B/C), Xingang East Station.
Line 11 (Loop Line): Pazhou Station (Exits E/F) — Direct access to the city center; convenient for transfers.
- Please note that transfers between Line 8 and Line 11 at Pazhou Station require using the covered pedestrian walkway at ground level; look for the “Blue Transfer Turnstiles.”
Public Bus: Regular routes such as 137, 229, 239, and 262 provide direct service to the exhibition hall.
- During the exhibition, a dedicated shuttle service will operate between the exhibition hall and Liuhua Road. This service runs from 15:00 to 19:00 on the first four days of each phase, and from 13:00 to 17:00 on the final day.
- For example, during Phase 1: 15:00–19:00 from April 15 to 18, and 13:00–17:00 on April 19.
Taxis: Cruising taxis are available for passenger pick-up and drop-off at designated temporary stops, such as those located on Exhibition Center Middle Road and Exhibition Center West Road.
Hotel Shuttle Service:
Many partner hotels offer complimentary shuttle services (morning departures, evening returns).
Business Negotiation Tips
- Common Practices Among Chinese Suppliers:
- MOQ: Minimum Order Quantity
- Payment Terms: 30% deposit upfront; the remaining 70% must be settled before shipment.
- FOB Guangzhou / FOB Shenzhen
- Never pay full amount upfront for safety.
- Key Information: Price, lead time, packaging details, and after-sales service terms must be explicitly stated on the PI (Pro Forma Invoice).
- For Greater Reliability: After attending a trade show, visit the factory in Foshan for an on-site inspection (the journey from Guangzhou to Foshan takes 30–50 minutes).
If you are sourcing building materials at the Canton Fair, assessing a supplier’s capability to provide comprehensive solutions is crucial. Whether you are looking for high-end Kitchen & Wardrobe systems, premium Sanitary Ware, or durable Marble and Flooring for your projects, comparing quality is key.
Language & Communication
Most big companies speak fluent English.
Small factories may only speak basic English.
Use translation apps: Google Translate, DeepL.
Show product pictures/specs to avoid misunderstanding.
Best Wishes & Warm Invitation from George
We sincerely hope that you find all the products you are looking for at the Canton Fair and establish successful business partnerships.
Headquartered in Foshan, George is a professional and reliable supplier specializing in building materials, sanitary ware, cabinetry, doors and windows, and integrated home solutions. Backed by years of export experience, we provide our global clients with consistent quality, highly competitive pricing, and attentive, one-stop service.
If you are interested in our products, we warmly invite you to visit our booth at the Canton Fair for an in-depth discussion. Following the exhibition, we also cordially invite you to visit our showroom and factory in Foshan, where we would be delighted to personally showcase our full product range, robust manufacturing capabilities, and customized solutions.
We wish you a pleasant, smooth, and fruitful journey in China!
Canton Fair Hotel List
