China Business VisitsCanton Fair: Its History and How to Plan a Useful Visit
A practical guide to the fair's history, phases, buyer registration, supplier meetings and follow-up.
What is the Canton Fair?
The Canton Fair, officially the China Import and Export Fair, began in spring 1957. It takes place in Guangzhou twice a year, in spring and autumn. Its categories range from machinery and electronics to furniture, household products and textiles. The exhibition lets buyers see products and meet potential suppliers, but an exhibition booth alone does not establish a company's manufacturing capability or product quality.
Choose the right phase
Product categories are spread across different dates. For the autumn 2026 edition, Phase 1 runs October 15–19 and focuses on advanced manufacturing; Phase 2 runs October 23–27 and focuses on home life; Phase 3 runs October 31–November 4 and covers better-life products. These dates apply to this edition. Check the current exhibitor categories and official schedule before booking your journey.
Plan your visit before travelling
Prepare a one-page product brief covering intended use, materials, dimensions, starting quantity, packaging and destination market. Shortlist relevant exhibitors and arrange meetings. Leave room between appointments to compare products and record answers. A focused shortlist will be more useful when you get home than a collection of unlabelled catalogues.
Register as a buyer
Use the official buyer portal to review preregistration and the badge category appropriate to your situation. The autumn 2026 badge guidance lists an accepted original identity document, business card and preregistration QR receipt among its requirements. Check the latest instructions before you travel. Fair registration and entry requirements for China are separate matters.
Where to stay and how to get there
The fair is held at the Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou's Pazhou area. Government transport guidance lists Pazhou and Xingangdong stations on Metro Line 8, as well as Pazhou on Line 11. Choose accommodation around your actual hall and meeting schedule. If you also plan factory visits, use each factory's full address to estimate travel time.
Discuss specifications before price
For an industrial water pump, state the required flow rate, pressure, fluid, power supply and construction materials before asking for a quotation. Ask whether the exhibitor manufactures the product, where production happens, the minimum order, sample and production lead times, applicable test documents and spare-parts support. Request a written quotation that identifies exactly what the price includes.
Keep useful supplier records
Record the company name, booth number, contact, model, specifications, indicative price and questions needing follow-up. With permission, connect product photos to those notes. Distinguish claims made at a booth from information you have independently verified.
Follow up after the fair
Shortlist suppliers whose products fit the brief. Request comparable written quotations and samples where appropriate. Verify the company, production location and payment details before ordering, and consider a factory visit or inspection according to the product and order. Meeting a supplier is the start of the purchasing process.
Turn the trip into a decision
Define the product and the decisions you want to make before your visit. Share your brief through Canton Falcon's business visit page to discuss supplier research, meetings and on-site follow-up.
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