Guide · Canton Fair
Canton Fair 2026: the guide to going well
The Canton Fair is China's largest import-export trade show. It runs twice a year in Guangzhou. The autumn 2026 edition takes place from 15 October to 4 November, in three phases. Here is how to prepare, which phase to pick, and how to leave with real suppliers.
In short
- The Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) gathers tens of thousands of exhibitors at the Pazhou complex in Guangzhou.
- Autumn 2026: from 15 October to 4 November, in three phases grouped by product category.
- Entry is free for buyers, with registration and a badge. A passport is required.
- Many exhibitors are trading companies, not factories: verification is still essential.
- A partner who negotiates in native Mandarin changes everything, especially over three intense days.
What is the Canton Fair?
The Canton Fair, officially the China Import and Export Fair, is the oldest and largest trade show in China. It is held at the Canton Fair Complex in the Pazhou district of Guangzhou, across a floor area larger than dozens of football pitches.
It takes place twice a year, in spring and autumn. Each session is split into three successive phases grouped by product family, because no visitor could see everything at once.
The three phases
Pick your phase by product. Each phase runs about five days.
| Phase | Dates (autumn 2026) | Main categories |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 15–19 Oct | Electronics and appliances, lighting, vehicles and parts, machinery, hardware and tools, building materials |
| Phase 2 | 23–27 Oct | Consumer goods, home decor, gifts, tableware, toys |
| Phase 3 | 31 Oct–4 Nov | Textiles and garments, shoes, cases and bags, health and medical, food |
Dates shown subject to the official fair calendar.
How to prepare
- 1
Register and get your badge
Buyer registration is done online before the fair or on site. The badge and passport are required at entry.
- 2
Sort out the visa
French and EU passports get a 30-day visa exemption for a business trip. Check the current rule before you travel.
- 3
Target the right halls
Map the zones and halls that match your phase in advance so you do not waste a day walking.
- 4
Prepare your product briefs
Photos, specs, target quantities and reference prices: the more precise you are, the better you negotiate.
- 5
Plan the follow-up
Note the serious suppliers, ask for samples, and keep time after the fair to visit the most promising factories.
Do you need an interpreter?
Over three days of the fair, fatigue and the language barrier lose the best deals. A partner who negotiates in native Mandarin, knows the codes and can tell a manufacturer from a reseller saves you time and avoids traps. That is what Source Canton does: we lead every trip in person, on the buyer's side, never the factory's.
Canton Fair, 1688 or factory visits?
The fair is for discovering a market and meeting many suppliers in a few days. To order at the best price once your suppliers are identified, China’s domestic wholesale platform 1688 takes over, and nothing replaces a factory visit to confirm an exhibitor actually makes what it sells.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Canton Fair in 2026?
The autumn 2026 edition runs from 15 October to 4 November in Guangzhou, in three phases of about five days each. A spring edition takes place around April-May.
Is entry to the Canton Fair free?
Yes, access is free for trade buyers, with registration. A badge and a passport are required at entry.
Which phase should I choose?
It depends on your products. Phase 1 for electronics, machinery and building; phase 2 for home, decor and gifts; phase 3 for textiles, footwear and food.
Do I need a visa for the Canton Fair?
French and EU passports get a 30-day visa exemption for a business trip. Confirm the rule that applies when you travel.
Are all exhibitors factories?
No. Many are trading companies reselling other workshops' output. Check the business licence and, ideally, visit the factory before committing.
Go to the Canton Fair well guided
A Frenchman who knows the ground, a native Mandarin negotiator, a flat fee and no commission on your orders. Let's talk about your project.