How to Attend Canton Fair 2026

Here are the steps to attend the Canton Fair as a new buyer or a seasoned buyer: 

First: Registration on the Canton Fair Website

To attend the Canton Fair 2026, your first step is to register an account on the official Canton Fair website.​ This is essential, especially for overseas buyers, as a Canton Fair invitation is needed to obtain a Chinese visa.

• Use the Buyer E-service tool on the Canton Fair website to apply for an e-invitation.
• As a new buyer, you must enter your business and personal details, including your passport information, to create an account.

For Regular Overseas Buyers with Previous Badges:

• Log in to the Buyer E-service tool using your Buyer Badge number (9 digits) as the login ID and the 7 or 8-digit number on the backside of the badge as the password to apply for the e-invitation directly.

Step 1: Choose Your Registration Type

When registering, select one of the following options:

• International Visitors
• Chinese Agent or Chinese Assistance Registration

Step 2: Email Registration

Register your email address and enter the password twice for confirmation.

Step 3: Buyer Badge Application

• If you do not have a purchase badge, select “I don’t have a buy badge.”

• Fill in your information, including your name, company name, nationality, and industry type, before clicking “Register.”

• You can subsequently log in with the registered email and password.

Step 4: Email Verification

• If the verification email does not appear in your inbox, check the spam folder or use the manual email verification page in your account.
• Alternatively, send a manual verify email from your registered email with the subject “email verification” to [email protected]. The verification process should complete within 10 minutes.
• Once your account is verified, you can choose which phase(s) of the Canton Fair 2024 you would like to attend. You have the option to attend all phases if desired.

Phase 1: from April 15-19 includes:

• Electronics & Appliance: Household Electrical Appliances, Consumer Electronics and Information Products.
• Manufacturing: Industrial Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Processing Machinery Equipment, Power Machinery and Electric Power,General Machinery and Mechanical Basic Parts, Construction Machinery, Agricultural Machinery,New Materials and Chemical Products.
• Vehicles & Two Wheels: New Energy Vehicles and Smart Mobility,Vehicles, Vehicle Spare Parts, Motorcycles, Bicycles.
• Hardware: Hardware, Tools.
• Light & Electrical: Lighting Equipment,Electronic and Electrical Products, New Energy Resources.

Phase 2: from April 23-27 includes:

• Houseware: General Ceramics, Kitchenware and Tableware, Household Items.
• Gift & Decorations: Glass Artware, Home Decorations, Gardening Products, Festival Products, Gifts and Premiums, Clocks, Watches and Optical Instruments, Art Ceramics, Weaving, Rattan and Iron Products.
• Building & Furniture: Building and Decorative Materials, Sanitary and Bathroom Equipment, Furniture, Stone/Iron Decoration and Outdoor Spa Equipment.

Phase 3: from May 1-5 includes:

• Toys & Children Baby and Maternity: Toys, Children, Baby and Maternity Products, Kids’ Wear
• Fashion: Men and Women’s Clothing, Underwear, Sports and Casual Wear, Furs, Leather, Downs and Related Products, Fashion Accessories and Fittings, Textile Raw Materials and Fabrics，Shoes, Cases and Bags
• Home Textiles: Home Textiles, Carpets and Tapestries
• Stationery: Office Supplies
• Health & Recreation: Medicines, Health Products and Medical Devices, Food,Sports, Travel and Recreation Products, Personal Care Products, Toiletries, Pet Products and Food

Second: Guide to Buyer Badge Application for the Canton Fair

Step 1: Submit Buyer Application

• Begin the application process by submitting the buyer application form through the designated platform.

Step 2: Create a Company Profile

• Set up your company profile to provide a clear and comprehensive overview of your business.

Step 3: Provide Company Information

• Accurately fill in all required fields with your company information, including business name, address, contact details, and industry type.

Step 4: Complete Personal Information

Enter your personal information as follows:

• Select the ID type and upload a copy of your ID (e.g., passport page).
• Fill in your name as it appears on the ID, ID number, country of issuance, and ID expiration date.
• Provide your date of birth, gender, and the name to be displayed on the badge.
• Upload a clear photo that will be printed on the badge.

Step 5: Save and Submit

• After filling in both your company and personal details, save and submit the information for review.
• Upon successful review, you will receive instructions on how to collect your buyer badge.

Additional Options for Badge Collection

• You can apply for and collect your buyer badge in advance at Appointed Hotels or Guangzhou Baiyun Airport.

Note for Returning Buyers

• Regular buyers with the previous year’s badge can gain entry to the event using their existing badge, bypassing the need for a new application.

​By following these steps, you ensure a seamless process for obtaining your Buyer Badge for the Canton Fair, facilitating your participation in the event.

Third: Apply for E-invitations (for visa)

It may take a few days to a week to get the invitation letter through email. With your E-invitation in hand, you can now proceed to apply for a Chinese visa. Here are some options for obtaining your visa:

• Online Application: Use the China Online Visa Application (COVA) to fill out your visa application. This platform simplifies the process and allows for submission of documents electronically.
• Embassy or Consulate: Contact the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country for guidance on the visa application process. They can provide information on necessary documents and the application timeline.
• Local Travel Agency: Consider working with a local travel agency that specializes in visa services. They can assist with documentation and ensure that your application is complete.

Forth: Enter the event

With your buyer badge, you are all set to attend the world’s biggest trade fair and expand your business globally. Using a translating app or an interpreter is highly recommended to ensure there aren’t any communication issues.

How to reach the Canton Fair

Once you are in Guangzhou, there are three main ways to reach the Canton Fair:

Direct shuttle service: It takes you directly from the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to the fair venue. The shuttle services run through all three phases of the trade fair between 1pm to 6pm. You will find a new shuttle every 30 minutes. There are also shuttle buses available from major hotels to the fair venue. 

Metro: You can take Line 8 either from the Pazhou Station via exits A, B, or C or from the Xingang Dong Station via exit A.

Taxi: You can also directly get a taxi to the venue using ride-hailing apps like DiDi.

Top tips to conquer the Canton Trade Fair

1- Create a game plan

The Canton Trade Fair is so far and vast that it’s easy to get lost in the wide range of products offered by suppliers from across China. To make the most out of the event, you need to first decide on the type of products you are interested in.

You should also build a short list of suppliers you want to see and find out where they are located. Prepare a list of questions to ask suppliers, including

• What are the most popular products?
• What are your Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)? 
• What are the current delivery time frames?
• Which countries do you export to? 
• What are the preferred payment methods? 
• Can I get exclusivity on a specific product or product range? 
• Can I get products in a specific colour or size?

It’s important to choose reputed and reliable suppliers and build deep business relationships with them. You may not get a lot of opportunities to have face-to-face conversations with so many suppliers. Use your time to learn about them and their major capabilities. Ask direct questions, be confident, and learn some negotiation skills.

→ Pro tip: If you are going to visit the Canton Trade Fair for a particular phase, you can create a daily game plan like this:

• Day 1-2: Explore and engage by heading to your shortlisted exhibitors and schedule talks and forums that might benefit your business.
• Day 3 & beyond: Deepen connections and learn more by revisiting any preferred suppliers for further discussions and plans, and meet other exhibitors to see what else is on offer.

2- Consider getting a translator

You will find that most booths at the Canton Fair will have someone who can speak English. But if you want your own translator, you can partner with a translation service agency or even book Canton Fair’s on-site translators, who are often in high demand, so booking early is necessary.

→ Pro tip: Digital translation apps, like Alibaba Translate, can be handy for simple conversations.

3- Stack up your business cards

Exchanging business cards is a common practice in China. You should bring plenty of business cards with all your contact information, including, phone number, email address, and WeChat ID. 

Networking is one of the main reasons many overseas buyers attend the Canton Fair in China. You should use this opportunity to build your network of suppliers. 

→Pro tip: Receive all business cards with two hands to show respect, and keep it in sight during your meeting.

4- Download useful apps

China has its own range of apps for making payments, sending messages, and managing transportation. Make sure you have all the important apps downloaded on your phone when you land in China.

• Alipay: It is a leading platform for payments and digital services in China. Accepted by millions of merchants, foreign visitors can connect their credit cards to pay for nearly everything. To pay, open the app and either scan the QR code or the merchant will scan your one-time QR code in the ‘Pay/Receive’ tab. 

→ Pro tip: The popular question, “I scan or you scan me?” is often asked in stores.

• WeChat: It is the main communication app used in China. Stay in touch with suppliers, taxi drivers, and official business accounts with it. Create a profile and get verified by an existing user to get started.
• Gaode Map: is a navigation app that provides details about real-time traffic in China 
• Baidu Map: Another navigation app that provides a street view function and helps people find their way across the different Chinese cities.
• DiDi: It is a taxi-hailing app that allows users to request real-time rides from partnered drivers. 
• Metroman China: It provides up-to-date and accurate information about metros in China, including metro maps and running schedules.  

→ Pro Tip: Install a VPN before you land in China because global apps like WhatsApp, Gmail, YouTube, and Instagram don’t work in the country.