The autumn session is ten days away
The 140th China Import and Export Fair, better known as the Canton Fair, opens in Guangzhou on 15 October 2026. For many foreign buyers, small importers, and curious first-timers living in China, it is the biggest trade show they will ever walk into. It is also a lot to absorb if you have never been.
This guide is a practical introduction to Canton Fair autumn 2026 for first-time foreign visitors: the officially announced phase dates, what each phase covers, how buyer badges work, and how to handle Guangzhou logistics. Details below come from the official introduction to the 140th session published by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the organiser, China Foreign Trade Centre, and from the fair’s official website (cantonfair.org.cn). Where something is not officially published, we say so. Always confirm on the official site before you travel.
Official dates for the 140th Canton Fair
The onsite exhibition runs in three phases:
- Phase 1: 15–19 October 2026
- Phase 2: 23–27 October 2026
- Phase 3: 31 October – 4 November 2026
The intervals between phases (20–22 October and 28–30 October) are used to change over the exhibition halls. There is no onsite exhibition on those days.
The official website and Canton Fair app run all year, showing exhibitors and products in the same sections as the onsite fair, so you can research suppliers before you fly.
Daily opening hours for each phase are published on the official site; check them there rather than relying on past years.
What each phase covers
According to the official introduction, the themes are:
Phase 1: advanced manufacturing
Household electrical appliances, consumer electronics and information products, industrial automation and intelligent manufacturing, machinery of many kinds, new materials and chemical products, new energy vehicles and smart mobility, vehicle spare parts, motorcycles, bicycles, lighting, electrical products, new energy resources, hardware, tools, and a Service Robots section.
Phase 2: quality home life
Ceramics, kitchenware and tableware, household items, glass artware, gardening products, home decorations, festival products, gifts and premiums, clocks and watches, building and decorative materials, sanitary and bathroom equipment, furniture, a Fashion Jewelry zone, and prefabricated houses and courtyard facilities.
Phase 3: better life
Toys, children, baby and maternity products, clothing and kids’ wear, shoes, cases and bags, home textiles, textile raw materials, office supplies, food, medicines and medical devices, personal care, sports and travel goods, and an Intelligent Healthcare zone.
Pick the phase that matches what you want to source. If you are only curious, choose the phase whose product categories interest you most.
Where the fair is held
The fair takes place at the Canton Fair Complex (中国进出口商品交易会展馆) in Pazhou, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, on the south bank of the Pearl River. The official address listed by the organiser is No. 382, Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou. The complex is huge, with several zones, so wear comfortable shoes and plan your route by hall number.
Guangzhou Metro Line 8 serves the complex area via Xingang East (新港东) and Pazhou (琶洲) stations. Taxis and ride-hailing also work, though roads around the venue can be congested at opening and closing time. Our Didi guide for foreign visitors explains how to book rides in English.
How foreign buyers get a badge
You need a buyer badge to enter. The official 140th-session information and the organiser’s badge notice describe the process like this:
Step 1: Pre-register online
New overseas buyers pre-register on the official Canton Fair website (buyer services). Pre-registration is open year-round. After registering, you receive a pre-registration QR code receipt. Save it on your phone and consider printing a copy.
Step 2: Prepare documents
The organiser lists:
1. An original, valid ID document: a foreign passport, a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, or a Chinese passport together with an overseas permanent residence permit or permanent residence visa.
2. A business card.
3. The pre-registration QR code receipt.
Step 3: Collect your badge
Badge applications, replacements, and renewals are free of charge. You can collect the badge at registration offices at the Canton Fair Complex, or at alternative registration offices, which the official introduction lists as including Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou South Railway Station, Pazhou Ferry Terminal, designated hotels in Guangzhou, and the Canton Fair Hong Kong Representative Office. Foreign passport holders are encouraged to use the alternative offices for faster processing.
Returning buyers and special cases
- If you already hold a valid Overseas Buyer Badge from a previous session, the organiser says you can enter after verification without activation.
- Overseas Buyer Badges issued on the basis of a work visa at or before the 134th session are no longer valid; holders need a Purchasing Agent Badge instead.
- Chinese passport holders with overseas permanent residence must apply at the registration offices inside the complex.
If you work for a China-based company and hold a work permit, read the official badge categories carefully; the right badge type depends on your status.
Visas and arrival
Visa rules depend on your nationality and change from time to time. China currently offers several visa-free and transit visa-free arrangements, but eligibility varies. Check the National Immigration Administration and your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before booking. Our visa-free transit guide is a starting point, but official sources always take priority.
When you check in to a hotel, staff register foreign guests with your passport; see hotel check-in with a foreign passport.
Practical Guangzhou tips for fair week
- Book accommodation early. Hotels near Pazhou fill up during fair phases. Staying along Metro Line 8 or another line with an easy transfer can save money and time.
- Set up payments. Link your card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive; see Alipay and WeChat Pay for foreign visitors.
- Get mobile data. A local SIM or eSIM helps with maps, translation, and the fair app; see our SIM and eSIM guide.
- Bring plenty of business cards and a simple product brief. Suppliers will ask what you want, in what quantity, and to which market.
- Use the official app to search exhibitors and plan hall routes before each day.
- Pace yourself. Phases are only five days each. Pick priority halls and leave time for follow-up meetings.
- Eat well. Guangzhou is one of China’s great food cities. Try dim sum and yum cha on a morning before the halls open.
On a free interval day, see the city: the Chen Clan Academy and Shamian Island are easy half-day trips.
Business etiquette at the booths
- Greet exhibitors politely and hand business cards with two hands.
- Ask before photographing products; some exhibitors do not allow it.
- Be clear about whether you are a serious buyer or just researching.
- Do not promise orders you cannot place. Follow up by email or messaging after the fair.
- Respect intellectual property. The fair has a complaint process for IP issues.
Official contacts
The organiser’s website lists a call centre (4000-888-999 within the Chinese mainland, +86 20 28-888-999 from outside) and email [email protected]. Use these for badge or access questions rather than third-party agents.
FAQ
When is the Canton Fair autumn 2026?
The 140th session runs Phase 1 on 15–19 October, Phase 2 on 23–27 October, and Phase 3 on 31 October – 4 November 2026.
Is the buyer badge free?
Yes. The organiser says new applications, replacements and renewals are free.
Can I visit without being a buyer?
The badge system is designed for trade visitors. Read the badge categories on the official site to see which applies to you.
Do I need to pre-register?
Pre-registration online is strongly recommended and produces the QR receipt you need to collect a badge.
How do I get there?
Guangzhou Metro Line 8 (Xingang East and Pazhou stations), taxi, or ride-hailing to the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou.
Bottom line
Canton Fair autumn 2026 starts on 15 October. Pre-register on the official site, bring your passport, business cards and QR receipt, choose the phase that matches your sourcing goals, and book Guangzhou accommodation early. Lovely China, founded in 2025, welcomes corrections at [email protected].
