Canton Fair 2027 Guide: Dates, Phases and Buyer Tips

The Canton Fair is the biggest trade show in China and one of the best places to meet suppliers face to face. This guide explains when the Canton Fair 2027 takes place, what each phase sells, how to register, how to get to the venue in Guangzhou, and what to do with your samples and orders after the fair.

Key points
• The Canton Fair’s official name is the China Import and Export Fair. It is held twice a year, in spring and autumn, in Guangzhou.
• Each session has three phases of five days. Each phase shows different products.
• The spring 2027 session (the 141st) is expected from mid-April to early May 2027. Check the official website before you book.
• Overseas buyers register online and collect a buyer badge with their passport.
• After the fair, samples and orders from several suppliers can be collected, checked and shipped together.

Canton Fair 2027 Dates

The fair runs in three phases. Between the phases there are a few days with no exhibition while the halls change over. Here are the dates of the latest session and what we expect for spring 2027.

The spring 2027 dates are not official yet. We will update this page when the organiser publishes them. Always confirm the dates on the official Canton Fair website before you book flights and hotels.

What Each Phase Sells

Each phase covers different industries, so pick the phase that matches your products. Based on the 140th session:

The product list can change a little from session to session. If you buy across categories, you may need to visit more than one phase.

How to Register and Get Your Buyer Badge

1. Pre-register online. Create a buyer account on the official Canton Fair website and fill in your company details before the fair.
2. Get your invitation. After registration you can download an invitation letter. Some visitors use it for their visa application.
3. Collect your badge. Bring your passport to a badge office at the venue or at a registration point in Guangzhou. Keep the badge for the next sessions too.

Visa: many nationalities can now visit China visa-free for short business trips, and others can use visa-free transit. The rules change often, so check with the Chinese embassy in your country before you travel.

Getting to the Canton Fair in Guangzhou

The fair takes place at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Pazhou, Haizhu District, Guangzhou. Metro Line 8 stops right next to the halls, so the easiest way to get there is by metro or taxi.

• Flying in: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is about an hour from Pazhou by metro or taxi.
• From Hong Kong: the high-speed train from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Guangzhou South takes about an hour.
• From Shenzhen: high-speed trains to Guangzhou run very often and take under an hour.
• Hotels: hotels near Pazhou fill up fast and cost more during the fair. Book early, or stay further away near a Line 8 station.

Many factories in Guangdong are close to Guangzhou. If you want to visit suppliers after the fair, Dongguan, Foshan and Shenzhen are all within easy reach.

What to Bring to the Canton Fair

• Passport and buyer badge (or your registration confirmation if you still need to collect the badge).
• Plenty of business cards. Exhibitors swap cards at every booth.
• A phone with a working data plan and a translation app. Many exhibitors speak English, but not all.
• A small bag or trolley for catalogues and samples. You will collect more paper than you expect.
• Your product specs and target prices, written down, so you can ask for comparable quotes.
• Comfortable shoes. The halls are very large and you will walk a lot.

Tips for Buyers at the Fair

• Do your homework first. Make a list of product categories and target prices. The halls are huge, so plan which zones you need.
• Take photos of every booth you like. Photograph the booth number, the products and the business card together, so you know who is who later.
• Ask the same questions everywhere. Price, minimum order quantity (MOQ), lead time, packing and carton size, certificates for your market, and the price term (EXW or FOB). This makes quotes easy to compare. See FOB vs EXW.
• Ask where the factory is. A supplier near the port can save you time and local transport costs.
• Do not pay big deposits at the booth. Follow up by email after the fair, compare quotes, and check samples first.

Canton Fair Planning Timeline

Costs to Budget for the Fair

• Travel and hotel: hotel prices near Pazhou rise sharply during the fair.
• Badge and registration: check the official site for current rules and any fees.
• Samples: many exhibitors charge for samples; shipping them home together by express costs about $8–17 per kg.
• Interpreter or agent: optional, but useful for factory visits after the fair.
• Freight for your first order: see the cheapest way to ship from China.

Canton Fair or Alibaba: Which Is Better?

Both are useful, and many buyers use both. The Canton Fair lets you see and touch products, meet the sales team in person and compare many suppliers in a few days. That builds trust quickly, especially for a new product line. Alibaba and other online platforms are faster and cheaper for repeat orders and simple products, and you can search any time of year.

A common approach: meet new suppliers at the fair, check their samples, then place repeat orders online. Either way, the shipping steps are the same: collect, check, consolidate and ship.

After the Fair: Samples, Orders and Shipping

The work really starts after the fair. Most buyers leave Guangzhou with samples from several booths and a list of suppliers to follow up. Here is how JIEYI can help.

• Sample collection: we can collect samples you bought at the fair, from the venue or your hotel, and send them home together in one express parcel. One parcel costs much less than many small ones. Express rates are typically $8–17 per kg.
• Order follow-up: once you place orders with the suppliers you met, we follow production and keep you updated in English.
• Inspection: we check the goods before they leave the factory and send you a report with photos. See quality control and inspection.
• Consolidation and shipping: goods from several suppliers are collected in our Guangdong warehouse and shipped together by sea, air or express. See pickup and consolidation.

Did you find more suppliers online after the fair? Our guide on how to ship from Alibaba explains how to combine those orders too. If you need help finding or comparing suppliers, see our sourcing agent service.

Watch the calendar: orders placed at the autumn fair often run into Chinese New Year, when factories close for weeks. Plan production and shipping early. See Chinese New Year 2027 shipping.

FAQ

When is the Canton Fair 2027?

The spring 2027 session (the 141st) is expected from mid-April to early May 2027, in three phases. The autumn 2027 session usually runs from mid-October to early November. Confirm the dates on the official website.

Is the Canton Fair free to visit?

Overseas buyers who register get a buyer badge to enter the fair. Check the official website for the current registration rules and any badge fees.

Which phase should I visit?

Choose by product: Phase 1 for electronics, lighting, machinery and tools; Phase 2 for home goods, furniture, building materials and gifts; Phase 3 for fashion, toys, baby products and health products.

Can you ship samples from the Canton Fair?

Yes. We can collect samples from the venue or your hotel and send them home together by express.

Can you inspect goods from suppliers I met at the Canton Fair?

Yes. We can check the goods at the factory before they ship and send you a report with photos, then collect and ship them.

How do I avoid problems with a new supplier from the fair?

Check the company details, approve samples before production, pay deposits to a company account, and inspect the goods before the balance is paid.

Can you ship orders from several Canton Fair suppliers together?

Yes. We collect the goods in our Guangdong warehouse, check them, and ship them together in one LCL shipment or container.

Checked on 4 November 2026. Fair dates and registration rules come from the organiser and can change. Met suppliers at the Canton Fair? Send us their details and get a shipping quote within 2 hours.