The Global Sources Hong Kong Shows return to AsiaWorld-Expo in October 2026 in two phases: October 11 to 14 for consumer electronics and gaming, and October 18 to 21 for mobile electronics, smart home, security, appliances, home and kitchen, lifestyle, and sports and outdoor products. For the first time, the fall edition runs in two phases instead of three, so categories that used to need a separate trip now share one week. Entry is free for trade buyers who register in advance. Below we explain which phase fits your product, how to prepare, and what to do after the show so a good conversation at a booth turns into a safe order.
One trip to Hong Kong can put you in front of suppliers from several industries. But that only works if you pick the right dates and arrive with a clear plan. If you just walk the halls hoping to find “something interesting,” you will go home with a heavy bag of catalogs and very few real leads.
Global Sources Hong Kong October 2026: dates, venue, and hours
Global Sources runs its Hong Kong Shows twice a year, in April and October. The spring 2026 edition recorded more than 130,000 visitor entries from buyers in over 180 countries and regions, and more than half of them were first-time visitors. The October edition takes place at AsiaWorld-Expo (1 Airport Expo Blvd, Chek Lap Kok), right next to Hong Kong International Airport, so you can land in the morning and be on the show floor before lunch.
| Phase and dates | Main product categories | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: October 11 to 14, 2026 | Consumer electronics, audio and video, PC peripherals, automotive electronics, gaming | 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (October 14 until 5:00 pm) |
| Phase 2: October 18 to 21, 2026 | Mobile electronics, smart home, security, home appliances, home and kitchen, lifestyle, gifts, pet products, sports and outdoor, AI-powered devices | 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (October 21 until 5:00 pm) |
A few admission rules are worth knowing before you book flights:
- The show is for trade visitors only, and you must be at least 18 years old.
- The organizer asks for three copies of your business card at the entrance, and there are no retail or sample sales on site.
- If you register in advance, you do not pay an admission fee.
Which Global Sources phase should you choose?
In past years, the Hong Kong Shows had three phases. This fall, the old third phase has been added to the second one. That makes planning simpler and can save you time and money, but the category names are broad. Before you register, look past the headline and check which product groups and exhibitors actually appear in each phase.
October 11 to 14: consumer electronics and gaming
Phase 1 is built for companies that buy consumer electronics, audio and video gear, PC accessories, automotive electronics, and gaming hardware. It is a good fit if you:
- are building an electronics or accessories brand;
- need an OEM or ODM manufacturer to make a device under your own label;
- want to compare housings, power supply, connectivity, and features across several devices side by side;
- are planning a product for gamers or the esports market;
- need a supplier that can adjust the design, firmware, or packaging.
In electronics, a nice-looking prototype is not enough. At the booth, try to find out whether the supplier controls the design and production in-house, which parts it buys from subcontractors, and whether it can back up its technical specs with documents. It also pays to ask about spare parts and how stable the supply of key components has been.
October 18 to 21: mobile electronics, smart home, and much more
Phase 2 covers mobile electronics, smart home, security systems, small appliances, home and kitchen, lifestyle products, and sports and outdoor gear. Because the former third phase is now part of this week, categories that used to require a second trip are under one roof.
For an importer flying in from the US or Europe, this is mostly simple math: one flight, one hotel, and one week away from the office instead of two trips a few weeks apart. If you buy phone accessories and smart home devices but also kitchenware, gifts, or outdoor gear, Phase 2 lets you see all of it on the same trip. It is especially useful if you are looking for:
- mobile accessories and wearables;
- chargers, power stations, and phone accessories;
- smart home and security solutions;
- small home appliances;
- kitchen products and home organization items;
- camping, hiking, and other outdoor products;
- pet products, gifts, and everyday lifestyle items.
AI-powered hardware is one of the big themes this year. In Phase 2, Global Sources groups devices with AI features into dedicated areas: wearables, smart home products, pet tech, and small home electronics. Many of these products are past the prototype stage and ready for mass production, with supply chains already in place. Still, an “AI” sign on a booth should never be the reason you pick a product. Check how the feature really works, whether it needs an app or a cloud connection, who processes user data and where, and whether you can legally and safely sell it in your market.
Already know which week suits you? Pick your phase and register for Global Sources Hong Kong 2026 to get free entry.
Why go to a trade show at all?
A trade show shortens the first stage of finding a manufacturer. In a single day, you can compare many offers, touch the materials, test how devices work, and talk to the people who handle export sales.
The real value is not the number of catalogs you collect. It is the chance to compare suppliers quickly, using the same questions for everyone. At each booth, you can ask about minimum order quantity (MOQ), customization options, sample lead time, mass production lead time, and which markets they already ship to.
Meeting face to face also helps you judge whether the sales rep understands the product and gives clear answers. What it does not prove is that the exhibitor owns a factory or can handle your order without problems. A booth is the start of the process, not a replacement for company verification, quality control, and a proper contract.
Factory or middleman? The show is a good place to start checking
Global Sources describes its exhibitors as verified suppliers, and many of them are OEM and ODM manufacturers with years of experience selling to North America and Europe. In practice, that often means you are talking to someone who can reach the technical files, test reports, and certificates for a specific model, not just a product sheet.
This matters when rules change. If US or EU requirements shift, a manufacturer can change the design, materials, or packaging and update the documents itself. A trading company first has to agree on this with the factory, if it even knows who makes the product and where. So at every booth, ask for the factory address, the export markets, and the documents for the exact model you want. You can compare the answers across booths on the same day.
How to prepare for Global Sources Hong Kong 2026
The best show visits start before you enter the hall. Instead of a vague goal, write a short project brief.
1. Define the product and your requirements
Write down the key specs, materials, dimensions, features, expected quality level, and your planned order volume. For electronics, list the connectors, voltages, communication standards, and operating conditions you need.
Think about compliance from the very first conversation. If you sell in the US, ask whether the product already has FCC authorization (for electronics) and test reports that cover the safety rules for your category. If you sell in the EU, ask for existing test reports, the EU Declaration of Conformity, and the technical documentation. A supplier who has done this before will not be surprised by the question.
2. Set your comparison criteria
Make a simple spreadsheet and score every company on the same points:
- manufacturer or trading company;
- export experience;
- MOQ;
- sample price and lead time;
- OEM and ODM options;
- mass production lead time;
- openness to third-party inspection before shipment;
- available product documents;
- payment terms;
- contact person for follow-up.
After a few hours on the floor, every booth starts to look the same. With a scorecard, you do not have to rely on memory and gut feeling.
3. Book your most important meetings ahead of time
Don’t assume a key exhibitor will be free the moment you show up at their booth. Global Sources offers business matching for registered buyers, so use it to build a short list of meetings before you fly. But leave some open time to walk the halls slowly, because you will find some of the best suppliers by chance.
4. Register early and sort out the logistics
Registering in advance saves time at the entrance, gets you free admission, and keeps you updated on show news. Choose the right phase and use your real company details. Pre-registered overseas buyers may also qualify for perks such as hotel packages, local transport, and lounge access, so read the current terms on the registration page. Finally, check the latest Hong Kong entry rules for your passport before you book.
Register through the official Global Sources form.
Tips for your days on the show floor
Bring comfortable shoes, a charged phone, a power bank, plenty of business cards, and a digital copy of your product specs. If you are showing your own design, don’t hand full technical drawings to everyone you meet. At a first meeting, share only what the supplier needs to judge whether it can make the product.
After every conversation:
- take a photo of the booth sign and the business card;
- write down what you talked about;
- mark the products that need a closer look;
- note any promises about price, samples, and lead times;
- agree on a clear next step and a follow-up date.
You don’t need a brochure from every exhibitor. Ten well-documented contacts at the end of the day are worth far more than a bag of catalogs you can’t match to any conversation.
What to ask a potential supplier
Your exact questions will depend on the product, but at a first meeting try to find out at least:
- the full legal name of the company;
- the factory address and where production really happens;
- whether they make the product themselves;
- which markets they have shipped similar orders to;
- MOQ and price breaks;
- sample cost and lead time;
- options for your logo and custom packaging;
- how they handle quality control;
- production lead time;
- which Incoterms the quoted price is based on (FOB, EXW, and so on);
- which tests and documents exist for this specific model.
Don’t push for a final price before the specs are settled. Two quotes can look almost the same but include different materials, accessories, packaging, quality checks, and delivery terms.
What to do after the show
The biggest mistake is letting your contacts sit for weeks. At the end of each day, pick the few companies worth following up with. Within two or three days, send each one a short summary of your conversation and ask for a quote based on the agreed specs.
Then work through these steps:
- check the company’s official registration data;
- confirm that the factory they told you about really exists;
- order a reference sample;
- review the product documents and the rules for your market;
- compare the full landed cost, including inspection and freight;
- agree on quality criteria before you place the order;
- sign a contract with the right legal entity before you send a deposit.
You don’t have to do every step alone, especially from the other side of the world. Our team in China can visit the site through a factory inspection in China, check your goods before they ship with quality control in China, and help you put the deal in writing with a commercial contract that protects your deposit.*
FAQ: Global Sources Hong Kong October 2026
When is Global Sources Hong Kong in October 2026?
The October 2026 Global Sources Hong Kong Shows run in two phases at AsiaWorld-Expo: Phase 1 from October 11 to 14 and Phase 2 from October 18 to 21, 2026. Doors open at 9:30 am and close at 6:00 pm, except on the last day of each phase, when they close at 5:00 pm.
Is Global Sources Hong Kong free to attend?
Yes, for trade buyers who register in advance. The show is open to trade visitors aged 18 or older only, and you need to bring three copies of your business card. There are no retail or sample sales at the show.
Why does the October 2026 show have two phases instead of three?
Global Sources merged the former third phase into the second one for the October 2026 edition. As a result, lifestyle, home and kitchen, and sports and outdoor products now share the October 18 to 21 dates with mobile electronics and smart home, so many buyers can cover all their categories in a single trip.
Where is AsiaWorld-Expo?
AsiaWorld-Expo is at 1 Airport Expo Blvd, Chek Lap Kok, right next to Hong Kong International Airport, only a short trip from the passenger terminal. Check the organizer’s directions page for the current transport options during the show.
How can I tell if an exhibitor is a real factory?
At the booth, ask for the full legal company name, the factory address, and documents for the exact model you want. After the show, check the company’s official registration data in China and, for larger orders, arrange an on-site factory inspection before you pay a deposit.
Register for Global Sources Hong Kong 2026
The October Global Sources show can be a great start to finding a new supplier, as long as you pick the right phase and prepare your criteria for judging companies. Use your time in Hong Kong to compare products and capabilities, and make the final decision only after you have checked the company, the sample, and the documents.
Register for Global Sources Hong Kong in October 2026 and start planning meetings with the right suppliers for your industry.
* Important Note: Please be advised that any third-party credit reports or independent supplier verification services utilized for this purpose are not affiliated with, provided by, or endorsed by Global Sources. Global Sources does not operate, supervise, or guarantee such credit reporting or verification services, and all decisions regarding supplier screening, partnership selection, and contract signing are made independently by the buyer at their sole discretion. Global Sources shall not be held responsible for any results or risks arising from the use of these third-party verification services.
