Canton Fair 2026 Guide – Industry Top Tips

About the 139th Canton Fair 2026 (Spring 2026)

• When: April 15 to May 5, 2026
• Opening hours: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM daily
• Where: China Import and Export Fair Complex, No. 382 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou 510335, China
• Hosts: Ministry of Commerce of PRC and People’s Government of Guangdong Province
• Organiser: China Foreign Trade Centre

About Canton Fair (China Import & Export Fair)

The China Import and Export Fair, widely known as the Canton Fair, is China's longest-running, largest, and most comprehensive international trade fair. Established in Spring 1957, it is held twice yearly every April and October in Guangzhou, China. The fair is co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC and the People's Government of Guangdong Province, and organised by the China Foreign Trade Centre. Widely recognised as China's No.1 Fair and the barometer of China's foreign trade.

Canton Fair has been held for 138 sessions without interruption, establishing trade connections with over 229 countries and regions. Cumulative export volume from the fair has surpassed USD 1.5 trillion, with total overseas buyer attendance (onsite and online) exceeding 13 million across its history.

As one of the world's most important international trade platforms, Canton Fair continues to set benchmarks for global B2B sourcing.

The 138th edition welcomed 550 buyer delegations and 158 business organisations attending in groups, reflecting the fair's growing role in shaping enterprise-level procurement decisions.

For importers, exporters, distributors, and retailers tracking Chinese and global trade trends, Canton Fair remains the single most comprehensive event for discovering suppliers, validating capacity, and monitoring the shifts reshaping international supply chains.

For the official fair overview, visit the Canton Fair official website..

TradeInt is a global trade data platform providing access to over 10 billion verified import and export records. Its coverage spans over 200 countries and more than 80 customs data sources.

This article provides an overview of preparing for the Canton Fair. Use TradeInt to explore more detailed trade records and research potential suppliers before and after the fair. Search China export records →

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When will Canton Fair 2026 happen?

The 139th Canton Fair (Spring 2026) will be held across three phases, allowing buyers to align travel schedules with category priorities and sourcing objectives.

• Phase 1: April 15 to 19, 2026
• Phase 2: April 23 to 27, 2026
• Phase 3: May 1 to 5, 2026
• Opening hours: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM daily

Each phase focuses on different product categories, letting buyers plan their visit around specific sourcing priorities.

• Phase 1 (April 15–19): Electronics and Appliance, Manufacturing, Vehicles and Two Wheels, Light and Electrical, Hardware, International Pavilion.
• Phase 2 (April 23–27): Houseware, Gift and Decorations, Building and Furniture, International Pavilion.
• Phase 3 (May 1–5): Toys, Baby and Maternity, Fashion, Home Textiles, Stationery, Health and Recreation, Traditional Chinese Specialties, International Pavilion.

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For the official fair overview, visit the Canton Fair official website..

Where does Canton Fair take place?

• Venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex
• Address: No. 382 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou 510335, China
• Total exhibition area: 1.55 million square metres
• Transport: Guangzhou metro and local transport services

Canton Fair has been held in Guangzhou since its first edition in Spring 1957. Guangzhou, historically known as Canton, is one of China's oldest trading ports and a key hub along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, which is where the fair gets its globally recognised name. The city's long-standing role as China's gateway to international trade makes it a natural home for the event.

The complex is easily accessible via the Guangzhou metro, taxis, and local transport, making travel straightforward for international buyers.

Who should attend Canton Fair 2026, and why?

Canton Fair brings together every key participant in the global trade ecosystem under one venue.

Last year, 2025, the 138th Canton Fair set a new attendance record with over 310,000 global buyers from 223 countries and regions, generating US$25.65 billion in on-site intended export transactions, including a 32.7% surge in EU buyers, 14% growth from the US, and 33.2% growth from Brazil.

The fair offers distinct opportunities tailored to each audience, whether they are sourcing,selling, representing, or exhibiting.

The fair offers different value to different attendee groups:

1. For Overseas Buyers (including Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Taiwan Province):

   • Direct access to 32,000+ Chinese and international exhibitors in a single visit
   • Face-to-face meetings with factory owners and decision-makers, no middlemen
   • Real-time product evaluation, sample inspection, and customisation discussions
   • Negotiate pricing, MOQs, and lead times directly with manufacturers
   • Build long-term supplier relationships that extend beyond the fair

2. For Purchasing Agents:

   • Execute multi-category sourcing mandates within a single travel window
   • Benchmark supplier options across thousands of exhibitors in real time
   • Lock in competitive pricing ahead of seasonal procurement cycles
   • Accelerate negotiation timelines through direct access to decision-makers
   • Represent overseas principals with on-the-ground sourcing intelligence

3. For Domestic Buyers (Mainland China):

   • Discover new Chinese suppliers and compare pricing across thousands of manufacturers
   • Access imported products and international brands through the International Pavilion
   • Build domestic distribution networks, retail partnerships, and B2B procurement pipelines
   • Identify emerging product trends before they reach the broader market
   • Consolidate sourcing visits into one efficient event

4. For Suppliers and Exhibitors (Domestic Chinese Suppliers):

   • Direct exposure to 310,000+ overseas buyers from 223 countries and regions
   • Real-time market feedback on product positioning, pricing, and demand
   • Qualified buyer leads that translate into multi-year export relationships
   • Unmatched showcase platform for entering or expanding into international markets
   • Competitive benchmarking against peers and industry leaders in the same category

How to get an invitation to Canton Fair 2026

Canton Fair registration is mandatory for all attendees and is completed through the Canton Fair registration site.

Most overseas buyers use the Buyer E-service Tool (BEST), the official free self-service platform, to apply for an invitation and complete pre-registration online.

For foreign attendees, to ensure a successful application for Chinese visa, you can apply for Canton Fair invitation. Here's how.

Step 1: Determine your registration category:

• Overseas Buyer: Buyers from outside mainland China, including Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and Taiwan Province.
• Purchasing Agent: Chinese personnel from representative offices of foreign companies or foreign chambers of commerce in China. Requires a valid Registration Certificate.
• Domestic Buyer: Mainland China buyers. Requires a valid business license and personal ID card.
• Supplier: Domestic Chinese suppliers. Requires a valid business license.

Step 2: Register or log in to BEST (Buyer E-service Tool):

Visit https://invitation.cantonfair.org.cn/ to access BEST, Canton Fair’s online self-service platform for overseas buyers attending the fair offline.

• Returning buyers: Overseas buyers who have attended Canton Fair offline can log in using their Buyer ID No. (as username) and Badge No. (as password).
• First-time buyers: Register for free with basic company and personal information.

Step 3: Pre-apply for your Buyer Badge:

Complete your company and personal information, including passport details and a photo upload. Pre-application status does not affect the invitation application.

Step 4: Apply for your Canton Fair invitation:

Once your Buyer Badge is ready, apply for your official invitation through BEST. You can choose between an electronic or paper version of the invitation. The invitation is used to apply for a Chinese visa, complete registration, and enter the venue for free.

Beyond BEST, overseas buyers can apply for an invitation through:

• Canton Fair Call Centre, China Foreign Trade Centre:
• Tel (Chinese Mainland): 4000-888-999
• Tel (Outside Chinese Mainland): (8620) 28-888-999
• Email: [email protected]
• The Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office of the Chinese Embassy in your region
• Chinese foreign trade corporations you are business-related to
• Overseas partners of the China Foreign Trade Centre

Preparation tips whehn attending the Canton Fair 2026

• Pre-register through BEST well in advance
• Research exhibitors and manufacturers before arriving
• Bring physical and digital business cards
• Book hotels and transport early, as Guangzhou becomes very crowded
• Plan your schedule by phase based on product priorities
• Use local transport, particularly the Guangzhou metro

Canton Fair brings together 32,000 exhibitors, 1.55 million square metres of floor space, and hundreds of thousands of attendees across three intensive phases.

For importers, retailers, and sourcing teams, preparation directly determines ROI. Buyers who arrive with a defined agenda, verified manufacturer shortlists, and secured logistics leave with qualified partners, negotiated terms, and a clear sourcing roadmap.

Here are some practical tips:

1. Pre-register through BEST. Registration is required for international buyers and takes time to process. Start through the Canton Fair official website as early as possible.
2. Research Chinese manufacturers in advance. With 32,000+ exhibitors and over 150,000 products across three phases, arriving without a shortlist means wasted time. Trade intelligence platforms like TradeInt, with over 500 million verified company profiles globally, help buyers research Chinese exporters, verify their trade history, check shipment volumes and destination markets, and shortlist priority manufacturers to visit before arriving at the fair.
3. Prepare business documentation. Bring physical business cards (ideally bilingual English and Chinese), digital cards, product catalogues, and clear sourcing requirements.
4. Plan your visit by phase. Each phase covers different product categories, so align your travel dates with your sourcing focus:
   • Phase 1 for electronics, machinery, vehicles, and hardware
   • Phase 2 for housewares, gifts, buildings, and furniture
   • Phase 3 for textiles, fashion, health, toys, and food
5. Book hotels and transport early. Guangzhou hotel availability tightens significantly during the Canton Fair. Book at least two to three months in advance.

What to do after the Canton Fair 2026

• Follow up quickly on leads. Contact priority manufacturers within the first week to maintain relationship momentum.
• Verify shortlisted suppliers: Before placing orders, confirm each manufacturer's export history, shipment volumes, and destination markets using a trade intelligence platform like TradeInt. With verified Bill of Lading data across 200+ countries, TradeInt lets buyers cross-check supplier claims, validate trade consistency, and move forward with evidence, not assumptions.
• Plan your next session. Canton Fair runs twice yearly, so many buyers return each Spring and Autumn for ongoing sourcing.

For complete, up-to-date details on the 139th Canton Fair (Spring 2026), including venue maps, exhibitor lists, and official guidelines, visit the Canton Fair official website or apply directly through BEST.

Conclusion

Canton Fair remains the world's largest gateway to Chinese manufacturing and global trade partnerships, bringing together hundreds of thousands of buyers, tens of thousands of exhibitors, and every major B2B category under one venue.

Making the most of it starts long before you arrive.

Use TradeInt ahead of the fair to analyse product trade trends, benchmark market demand, and shortlist priority manufacturers. Then use it during and after the fair to verify supplier export history, search Bill of Lading records, and validate buyer credentials before closing any deal. Book a TradeInt demo today.