Canton Fair: Ultimate Guide for China Import and Export Fair

Canton Fair, the China Import and Export Fair is the largest trade show in China held twice a year where manufacturers and suppliers from various industries showcase their products.

The 138th edition of the Canton Fair will be held in Guangzhou, China, in three phases from October 15 to November 4, 2025. The fair is divided into three phases, each catering to different product categories. Planning ahead with a list of suppliers, key questions, and negotiation strategies maximises opportunities.

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.

Here are the event details for the Canton Trade Fair 2025 for the Autumn session:

Date:  October 15 to November 4, 2025

• Phase 1: October 15th to 19th
• Phase 2: October 23rd to 27th
• Phase 3: October 31st to November 4th

Opening hours: 9:30am to 6pm local time

Location: Canton Fair Complex, No. 380, Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou, China

Interesting trivia:

• The Canton Fair Complex is probably one of the biggest exhibition centres in Asia, covering over 1,100,000 square metres.
• The word Canton comes from the Cantonese language, and it is just another word for the city of Guangzhou. While Mandarin speakers call it Guangzhou, Cantonese speakers call the city Canton.

The Three Phases of the Canton Fair

When is the best time for importers to attend the Canton Fair in China? The Canton Fair Autumn session is divided into three distinct phases, each lasting five days and covering specific product categories. To connect with the most suitable suppliers for your business needs, you should learn in advance which phase to attend.

How to attend the Canton Fair?

Here are the steps to attend the Canton Fair as a new buyer or a seasoned buyer: 

1. Register and apply for the e-invitation

Overseas buyers will need a Canton Fair invite to get a Chinese visa. To apply for an e-invitation, use the Buyer E-service tool on the Canton Fair website. Register as a new buyer and add your business and personal details to create an account. You will also be required to add your passport details.

Regular overseas buyers who already have the previous year’s badge can directly apply for the e-invitation by logging into the Buyer E-service tool. The Buyer Badge number (9 digits) will be the login ID, and the 7 or 8-digit number on the backside of the badge will be the initial password.

2. Receive the invitation

It may take a few days to a week to get the invitation letter through email. After you receive the invitation, you can print it out and use it to apply for a Chinese visa.

Here are some of the sources to get a Chinese visa:

• Apply online directly through China Online Visa Application (COVA)
• Contact the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country
• Get in touch with a local travel agency

3. Get your buyer badge

The Buyer badge is the only official entry pass to the Canton Fair. It works for multiple sessions.

Using your e-invitation, you can pre-register for the buyer badge or get your badge on-site at the event.

• To pre-register online, visit the Buyer E-Service tool or scan the QR code below. When you apply for a badge for the first time online, it’s completely free.

• To register in person, reach the buyer badge booth at the fair venue and get your badge by showcasing your printed invitation.

You can also apply for your buyer badge in advance at the Appointed Hotels or the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport.

Note: Regular buyers who already have the previous year’s badge can enter the event directly with their existing badge.

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.

Where Is the Canton Fair Held?

The Canton Fair is held in the China Import and Export Complex (Canton Fair Complex for short). It is also known as Guangzhou International Convention & Exhibition Center or Pazhou International Exhibition Center.

The address: 380, Yuejiang Zhong Lu Road. Hai Zhu. Guangzhou City, China.

The China Import and Export Complex is located on Pazhou Island of Guangzhou, China. This is a huge place and probably the biggest modern exhibition center in Asia.

Just a few numbers to figure out its size:

• Canton Fair Complex covers 1,100,000 square meters.
• 338,000 square meters reserved for indoor exhibitions
• 43,600 square meters reserved for outdoor exhibitions

By the way, the word “Canton” of Canton Fair is another name for Guangzhou. People who speak Cantonese, a local language, often call the city "Canton." People who speak Mandarin, another language, call it "Guangzhou." Both names mean the same place.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend the Canton Fair?

The cost of attending the Canton Fair can vary depending on how you travel, where you stay, and how you sign up.

Typically, registering for the Canton Fair online is free of charge. If you choose in-person registration at the fair, there is a fee of 100 RMB or approximately 15 USD.
Travel expenses cover plane tickets, transportation, and accommodation during your stay at the Canton Fair.

The cost varies depending on your location and the level of hotel you will choose, ranging from 20 USD to several hundred dollars per night. Additionally, prices may vary depending on the time of year and the availability of flights and hotels.

Overall, providing an exact cost for attending the Canton Fair is challenging due to these various factors. However, we recommend planning your travel, accommodation and registration in advance to ensure a successful business trip.

How to get to the Canton Fair

For those travelling in from overseas, we operate a Direct Air+Sea connection – this allows you to combine your flight to Hong Kong with a direct ferry from Hong Kong International Airport’s SkyPier to Pazhou, where the Canton Fair is held.* Simply book your journey with us and list your final destination as “Guangzhou, Pazhou Ferry Terminal (PFT)” and we’ll take care of your baggage transfers.

From Pazhou Ferry Terminal, the fair is just a short walk away with these simple steps.

• Step 1: Exit the terminal via the descending escalators and turn right onto the main road.
• Step 2: Walk roughly 200m until you see the Canton Fair Complex on the opposite side.
• Step 3: Take one of the zebra crossings and walk towards the security checkpoint.
• Step 4: Once you’ve passed security, go up the staircase to enter the complex.

There is also a range of other commute options available for the fair – shuttle buses run directly from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Terminal 1 and 2 every thirty minutes between 1pm and 6pm, while some hotels will provide shuttles. Alternatively, you can take the metro directly to Pazhou station on Line 8.

How to Find the Best Supplier at the Canton Fair

The Canton Fair can be a bit overwhelming for buyers, especially when it comes to finding the right suppliers. First of all, it's important to note that all exhibitors go through the preliminary verification by the fair organizers, so you don't need to worry about running into fake companies.

The big question is: How do you find the perfect supplier among hundreds of exhibitors? In this article, we'll discuss some tips to help you identify a reliable supplier at the Canton Fair.

1. Work directly with manufacturers.

At the fair, there are many booths run by trading companies, not the manufacturers. These trading companies add their own margins which can make the products more expensive for buyers. This is why many experienced buyers prefer dealing directly with the factories, as it usually leads to lower prices and better deals.

How can you identify who owns the booth? You can often spot a factory booth by the similar product range and production techniques. However, to be absolutely sure, you may need to take a close look, check documents, or even better, visit the factory after the fair.

2. Inspect products.

Checking products is the core step when choosing a potential supplier. Examine the craft, function, and quality issues. Request product samples to test the product personally after the fair. A reliable supplier should willingly offer samples or demos to potential customers.

3. Verify certifications.

Certifications can indicate a supplier's dedication to quality and meeting industry standards. Look for suppliers with relevant certifications like ISO, CE, or other relevant industry-specific standards. This means that the supplier has put in place strong quality management practices and follows global standards.

4. Evaluate communication skills.

Smooth communication is the road to successful collaboration, especially when you’re engaging with partners from diverse cultures and languages. Be straightforward and ask questions that you’ve prepared before attending the Canton Fair. When talking to suppliers at the fair, pay attention to their communication skills. Are they able to understand your needs and requests? Do they answer your questions promptly? A reliable supplier is the one who enables easy and clear communication.

5. Check track record.

Ask your potential supplier for their current and previous customers. Contact them to learn about working with the supplier. Ask about product quality, communication process, delivery times, and overall impression. This feedback can give you valuable insights and help you make an informed decision.

6. Visit factories.

Once you've found the suppliers you have a good connection with, consider arranging visits to their factories. These tours may give you valuable insights into their factory size, production techniques, and facilities. You might even explore their latest products which they haven’t displayed at the fair to keep their designs and technologies secure from imitating.

We help importers from all over the world to make sure the safety of the supply and improve management of their Chinese suppliers.

We are pleased to announce that GIS is participating in the 138th 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, 2025.

Booth Number:
E80

During the fair, GIS will present our professional quality inspection services, product testing solutions, and supply chain quality assurance programs. We sincerely hope you can join us at the Canton Fair. Please let us know your visiting schedule so we can arrange a convenient meeting time at our booth.

Thank you for your trust and support. We look forward to welcoming you at the 138th Autumn Canton Fair!