The Canton Fair in Guangzhou is the biggest trade fair in China. It's a great place to meet factories — if you go prepared. Here's what first-timers need to know.
When is it?
The autumn 2026 fair runs in three phases at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou, Guangzhou:
| Phase 1 |
Oct 15–19 |
Electronics, home appliances, machinery, hardware, tools, lighting, vehicles and parts |
| Phase 2 |
Oct 23–27 |
Consumer goods, gifts, home decor, ceramics, glassware, furniture, kitchenware, garden |
| Phase 3 |
Oct 31 – Nov 4 |
Toys, baby products, textiles, apparel, shoes, bags, office supplies, health products |
Exhibitors change between phases, so go to the phase that matches your product. Always check the official Canton Fair website before you book travel.
Before you go
- Know your product. Bring photos, sketches or a reference sample.
- Know your numbers. Target price, first-order quantity and a realistic reorder.
- Register early for your buyer badge.
- Make a shortlist. Search the exhibitor list for your category and mark the booths you must see.
- Plan your days. The venue is huge. Group booths by hall.
At the fair
- Ask: "Are you the factory?" Many booths are trading companies. That's not always bad — just know who you're talking to.
- Ask real questions. MOQ, lead time, materials, certifications, sample cost.
- Take a photo of every business card next to their product. By day two, booths blur together.
- Don't sign or pay at the booth. Collect information. Decide later.
- Note your gut feeling. Did they answer clearly? Did they ask you questions? Good factories do.
After the fair (where the real work starts)
- Follow up within a week, while they still remember you.
- Compare quotes properly — what's included, what's not.
- Order samples from your top 2–3 and compare side by side.
- Check the factory before you pay a deposit — a video call on the floor, or someone on the ground.
Common first-timer mistakes
- Going to the wrong phase for your product.
- Collecting 200 business cards and following up with none.
- Choosing the booth with the best display, not the best answers.
- Paying a deposit before seeing a real sample.
The bottom line
The Canton Fair is a starting point, not the finish line. The fair helps you find options. Samples, checks and follow-up decide who you actually work with.
We manage the whole product journey. From idea and design to samples, factory production, quality control and delivery — one team managing every step for you, so you can focus on your brand. You bring the idea. We build the product.
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