Canton Fair 2026 October Schedule

The Autumn 2026 Canton Fair is the 140th China Import and Export Fair. The exhibition is divided into three separate five-day phases. Each phase focuses on different industries, so buyers should carefully match their sourcing categories with the correct exhibition dates.

Standard onsite exhibition hours are generally 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during exhibition days. Buyers should check the official Canton Fair website shortly before departure in case entrance procedures or daily operating arrangements are updated.

Which Canton Fair Phase Should You Attend?

Choosing the correct phase is one of the most important parts of planning your Canton Fair trip. A common mistake among first-time international buyers is arriving in Guangzhou on the wrong dates and discovering that their target products are exhibited in another phase.

Phase 1: Electronics, Machinery and Industrial Products

Phase 1 is generally the best choice for buyers sourcing electronics, electrical appliances, manufacturing equipment, industrial machinery, vehicle parts, motorcycles, bicycles, lighting products, hardware, tools and renewable energy products.

If your business focuses on technology, engineering, equipment, automotive products or industrial procurement, Phase 1 should usually be your priority.

Phase 2: Home Products, Furniture and Gifts

Phase 2 is particularly relevant to wholesalers and importers sourcing household goods, kitchen products, ceramics, glassware, gifts, holiday decorations, home decorations, furniture, sanitary products and building materials.

Many distributors supplying supermarkets, home improvement stores, furniture retailers and gift shops focus heavily on this phase.

Phase 3: Fashion and Consumer Goods

Phase 3 includes many fast-moving consumer goods, such as clothing, sportswear, footwear, bags, textiles, toys, maternity products, office supplies, healthcare products, personal care items, food, pet products and leisure goods.

For importers selling through retail stores, e-commerce marketplaces or wholesale distribution networks, Phase 3 can provide a broad range of private-label and consumer product opportunities.

How to Choose the Right Phase

Before booking your trip, create a list of your top sourcing categories. Then identify which Canton Fair phase contains the highest concentration of relevant exhibitors.

If you source products from several unrelated categories, attending more than one phase may make sense. However, staying in Guangzhou across all three phases can significantly increase hotel and travel costs.

How to Register for Canton Fair 2026

Overseas buyers should complete online registration before traveling to Guangzhou. Pre-registration can reduce delays and gives you time to resolve passport, company information or identity verification issues before the exhibition begins.

Canton Fair Registration Process

1. Visit the official Canton Fair Buyer Service System.
2. Create an overseas buyer account.
3. Enter your personal information.
4. Provide your company or business information.
5. Complete identity verification using the required passport information.
6. Select the exhibition phase you plan to attend.
7. Apply for your Overseas Buyer Badge.
8. Apply for an invitation letter if required for your visa application.
9. Save your registration confirmation on your phone and offline.

The official Canton Fair App may also provide registration and buyer services. First-time buyers should avoid leaving registration until the day before the exhibition.

How to Get Your Canton Fair Buyer Badge

The Buyer Badge is the main entry credential used by overseas buyers to access the Canton Fair Complex.

Online registration and Buyer Badge collection are related but should not be considered exactly the same step. Completing online registration prepares your buyer information, while the physical or officially recognized badge allows you to enter the exhibition.

What Should You Bring?

• Your original passport
• Your online registration confirmation
• Buyer Badge application information
• Any invitation or supporting documents requested by the official system

Buyers who have attended previous sessions may already have a valid multi-session badge. Check your badge status through the official Canton Fair system before applying for a replacement.

Canton Fair Venue and Hall Distribution

The Canton Fair is held at the China Import and Export Fair Complex, commonly called the Canton Fair Complex or Pazhou Complex.

Address:
No. 382 Yuejiang Zhong Road,
Haizhu District,
Guangzhou, Guangdong,
China.

The complex is extremely large, with numerous exhibition halls, entrances and product sections. Walking from one end of the exhibition area to another can take considerable time.

How Should You Plan the Exhibition Halls?

Rather than walking through halls randomly, divide your suppliers into three priority groups:

• Priority A: suppliers you already contacted before the fair.
• Priority B: new suppliers producing your main products.
• Priority C: suppliers offering related products or new sourcing opportunities.

Download the latest official floor map before the fair and record every supplier's booth number. Booth numbers are extremely useful when organizing follow-up communication after the exhibition.

How Early Should You Arrive in Guangzhou?

Most international buyers should arrive in Guangzhou 1–2 days before their selected Canton Fair phase begins. First-time visitors should preferably arrive two days early.

Arriving early gives you enough time to recover from jet lag, verify your exhibition registration, test mobile payment systems, check your phone connection, organize supplier appointments and become familiar with the route from your hotel to the exhibition complex.

Why Arrive Two Days Early?

• Recover from a long international flight
• Confirm your Buyer Badge
• Test Alipay or WeChat Pay
• Set up mobile internet or roaming
• Check the metro route to Pazhou
• Review the exhibition floor plan
• Confirm meetings with suppliers
• Solve unexpected travel problems before the first exhibition day

Buyers planning factory visits in Foshan, Dongguan, Shenzhen or other Pearl River Delta manufacturing cities should consider staying another two or three business days after the fair.

How to Get to the Canton Fair Complex

Guangzhou has an extensive metro network, and public transportation is often the most predictable way to reach the Canton Fair Complex during busy exhibition periods.

The main metro stations serving the exhibition area are Pazhou Station and Xingangdong Station.

From Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

International buyers arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport can use Guangzhou Metro and transfer toward Metro Line 8, which serves the Pazhou exhibition district.

Taxi and ride-hailing services are also available, but travel time can increase significantly during Canton Fair peak hours.

From Guangzhou South Railway Station

Guangzhou South Railway Station is one of the city's major high-speed railway hubs. Buyers arriving from Shenzhen and other Chinese cities can take the metro and transfer toward Line 8 to reach Pazhou or Xingangdong.

From Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station

Travelers using Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station can use Guangzhou Metro connections toward Line 8 and continue to the Canton Fair exhibition area. Check the latest Guangzhou Metro route before travel because network arrangements can change.

Where Should You Stay?

You do not necessarily need to book a hotel directly beside the Canton Fair Complex. Hotels located near convenient metro stations can offer better prices while still providing reasonable commuting times.

When selecting accommodation, prioritize:

• Walking distance to a metro station
• Easy access to Metro Line 8
• Early breakfast
• Reliable Wi-Fi
• Nearby restaurants
• Convenience stores
• Easy taxi or ride-hailing pickup

What Is Guangzhou Weather Like During the October Canton Fair?

October is generally one of the more comfortable months for visiting Guangzhou. Based on historical climate patterns, daytime temperatures are often around 28–29°C (82–84°F), while nighttime temperatures are commonly around 20–21°C (68–70°F).

October is typically less rainy than Guangzhou's summer months, although occasional rainfall is still possible.

One important point for business travelers is the temperature difference between warm outdoor conditions and strongly air-conditioned exhibition halls.

What Should You Wear?

• Lightweight business-casual clothing
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A light jacket or overshirt
• A compact umbrella

You may walk several kilometers inside the Canton Fair Complex in a single day. Comfortable shoes are usually much more important than formal business footwear.

What Should You Prepare Before Coming to China?

1. Check Visa or Visa-Free Entry Requirements

China's entry requirements depend on your nationality and may change over time. Before purchasing non-refundable flights, verify the latest rules through an official Chinese embassy, consulate or immigration authority.

Buyers who require supporting documents for a business visa may be able to request a Canton Fair invitation through the official buyer system.

2. Set Up Mobile Payment

Mobile payments are widely used throughout China. International visitors can often link eligible overseas bank cards to platforms such as Alipay or WeChat Pay.

Complete the setup before your trip if possible and carry another bank card plus a small amount of RMB cash as backup.

3. Prepare Mobile Internet

Reliable mobile internet is important for maps, taxis, supplier communication, translation and payment.

Before departure, compare international roaming, travel eSIM and local mobile-data options.

4. Save Important Information Offline

Keep offline copies of:

• Your passport information
• Flight details
• Hotel address in English and Chinese
• Canton Fair registration information
• Buyer Badge details
• Supplier appointments

5. Save Your Hotel Address in Chinese

Having your destination written in Chinese can make taxi and ride-hailing communication easier, especially at night or after business dinners.

6. Bring a Power Bank

You may spend an entire day using your phone for photos, supplier notes, messaging, maps and payments. A fully charged power bank can be extremely useful.

7. Do Not Place Large Orders Without Verification

Meeting a supplier at the Canton Fair is a valuable first step, but exhibition participation alone should not replace supplier verification.

Before paying a large deposit, confirm the supplier's company identity, product specifications, production capability, certifications, quality-control procedures and payment terms.

Step-by-Step Process for Attending Canton Fair 2026

4–8 Weeks Before the Fair

1. Choose the correct Canton Fair phase.
2. Complete official buyer registration.
3. Apply for your Buyer Badge.
4. Request a Canton Fair invitation if required.
5. Verify China entry requirements.
6. Book flights and accommodation.
7. Create a target product list.
8. Contact priority suppliers before the exhibition.

1–2 Weeks Before Departure

1. Check the latest exhibition floor map.
2. Group suppliers by exhibition hall.
3. Prepare a supplier evaluation spreadsheet.
4. Set up mobile payments.
5. Prepare your mobile internet connection.
6. Confirm supplier appointments.

1–2 Days Before the Exhibition

1. Arrive in Guangzhou.
2. Check your Buyer Badge status.
3. Test your metro route.
4. Charge your power bank.
5. Prepare business cards and sourcing notes.
6. Confirm the next day's supplier meetings.

During the Canton Fair

1. Arrive close to opening time.
2. Visit priority suppliers first.
3. Use the same questions when evaluating each supplier.
4. Record prices, MOQ and specifications immediately.
5. Photograph samples when permitted.
6. Record supplier booth numbers.
7. Schedule longer follow-up meetings with serious suppliers.

How to Find Reliable Suppliers at the Canton Fair

The Canton Fair gives overseas importers access to thousands of exhibitors, but the goal should not be to collect as many catalogs as possible. Your objective should be to identify a manageable shortlist of suppliers that match your product, price, quality and delivery requirements.

Questions to Ask Every Supplier

• Are you a manufacturer or a trading company?
• Where is your factory located?
• What is the MOQ for this exact product?
• What is the EXW price?
• What is the FOB price?
• What are the price breaks at larger quantities?
• Can you offer private labeling?
• Can you customize packaging?
• What certifications are available?
• What is your production lead time?
• Which countries do you currently export to?
• Can you accept third-party quality inspections?
• What are your standard payment terms?

Do Not Compare Suppliers Only by Price

The cheapest quotation is not necessarily the lowest-cost sourcing option. A low unit price can be offset by higher MOQ requirements, expensive packaging, tooling charges, slow production, quality problems or higher defect rates.

Simple Supplier Evaluation Scorecard

What Should You Do After the Canton Fair?

Supplier follow-up is where many successful sourcing projects are actually decided. Within 24–48 hours after the fair, organize your supplier information while meetings and product details are still fresh.

Recommended Follow-Up Process

1. Rank suppliers into A, B and C groups.
2. Request formal quotations from your strongest candidates.
3. Compare MOQ and price tiers.
4. Confirm product specifications.
5. Request samples.
6. Verify certifications where necessary.
7. Confirm packaging requirements.
8. Check production lead times.
9. Arrange factory verification when appropriate.
10. Use third-party inspections before shipment for important orders.

The Canton Fair is only one sourcing channel. Buyers can combine offline exhibitions with online sourcing to continue comparing suppliers after returning home.

For buyers who want to source Chinese products online, compare suppliers or manage China wholesale purchasing, visit Chilat.com.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canton Fair 2026

When is the Canton Fair 2026 in October?

The Autumn 2026 Canton Fair runs in three phases: October 15–19, October 23–27 and October 31–November 4, 2026.

Which Canton Fair is held in October 2026?

The October–November 2026 edition is the 140th China Import and Export Fair, commonly called the Autumn Canton Fair.

Where is Canton Fair 2026 held?

The fair is held at the China Import and Export Fair Complex, No. 382 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, China.

How do foreigners register for the Canton Fair?

Overseas buyers should register through the official Canton Fair Buyer Service System or official buyer channels, complete their identity and company information, and apply for their Buyer Badge.

Do I need a visa to attend the Canton Fair?

It depends on your nationality and current Chinese entry rules. Some travelers may qualify for visa-free entry, while others may need a visa. Always verify the latest requirements with official Chinese authorities.

How early should I arrive for Canton Fair?

Most buyers should arrive one to two days before their selected phase. First-time visitors should preferably arrive two days early.

How many days do I need at the Canton Fair?

Two to three full days may be sufficient for buyers focused on one narrow category. Importers sourcing a broader range of products may benefit from four or five exhibition days.

What is Guangzhou weather like in October?

October is normally warm and relatively comfortable. Historical temperatures are commonly around 28–29°C during the day and around 20–21°C at night.

Which metro station is closest to the Canton Fair?

Pazhou Station and Xingangdong Station are major metro stations serving the Canton Fair Complex.

Can I visit Chinese factories after the Canton Fair?

Yes. Many buyers combine the Canton Fair with factory visits in Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan, Shenzhen and other manufacturing centers in the Pearl River Delta.

Can I continue sourcing suppliers online after the Canton Fair?

Yes. Online sourcing is useful for comparing additional suppliers, requesting quotations and continuing negotiations after you return home. You can also explore China wholesale sourcing through Chilat.

References

1. Canton Fair Official Website – China Import and Export Fair
2. Canton Fair Buyer Service System
3. Canton Fair Introduction and Exhibition Information
4. Guangzhou Municipal Government – Official City and Travel Information
5. The State Council of the People's Republic of China

Note: Canton Fair registration procedures, transportation arrangements, China visa policies and entry requirements may change. Check official sources again before booking your trip.