The Canton Fair is considered the most famous and important trade fair event in the world. It is the longest-running trade show in China, attracting hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs from various industries every year. If you are going to the Canton Fair 2024, you will find the most important information about it here.
What is Canton Fair 2024?
The China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair for short, Chinese: 广交会) has been held since the mid-20th century, so it is the longest-running fair in China. It takes place twice a year, in spring at the end of April & beginning of May, and in autumn at the end of October & beginning of November. The Canton Fair is organized by the China Foreign Trade Center.
In addition to the offline event, the Canton Fair also offers access to the online fair platform most of the year. This means you can find suppliers and business partners even outside of the live event.
The offline Canton Fair is divided into three phases, there are several days for each phase.
- The first phase of the Canton Fair is dedicated to tools, electrical and electronic equipment, machinery, etc.
- The second phase of the Canton Fair brings together exhibitors of gifts, consumer goods, home furnishings, and more.
- The third and final phase of the Canton Fair integrates entrepreneurs in the clothing, textile, food, and medical industries.
Website: cantonfair.org.cn
Where is Canton Fair 2024?
Venue: China Import and Export Fair (Pazhou) Complex, Yuejiangzhong Road 382, Haizhu, Guangzhou
Chinese address: 中国广州市海珠区阅江中路382号、中国进出口商品交易会展馆
When is Canton Fair 2024?
Spring edition: April 15-19, 2024 / April 23-27, 2024 / May 1-5, 2024
Fall edition: October 15-19, 2024 / October 23-27, 2024 / October 31-November 4, 2024
135th Canton Fair (spring)
Offline:
- Phase 1 (Lighting, Machinery, Electronics & Household Electrical Appliances, Tools): April 15-19
- Phase 2 (Bathroom Equipment, Gifts, Consumer Goods, Building Materials, Home Decorations): April 23-27
- Phase 3 (Food, Mother and Infant Products, Pet Products, Textiles & Garments, Footwear, Cases & Bags, and Recreation Products, Medical Devices): May 1-5
Online: The 135th Canton Fair online will be live from March 16 to September 15, 2024.
136th Canton Fair (fall)
Offline:
- Phase 1 (Lighting, Machinery, Electronics & Household Electrical Appliances, Tools): October 15-19
- Phase 2 (Bathroom Equipment, Gifts, Consumer Goods, Building Materials, Home Decorations): October 23-27
- Phase 3 (Food, Mother and Infant Products, Pet Products, Textiles & Garments, Footwear, Cases & Bags, and Recreation Products, Medical Devices): October 31-November 4
Online: The 136th Canton Fair online will be launched from September 15, 2024, to March 16, 2025.
Canton Fair 2024 exhibitor list
The catalog of exhibitors at the Canton Fair is divided into thirteen categories and as many as 55 sections. Over 25,000 companies exhibit at the fairground, so it will be easy to find a potential business partner.
Hall map
You can check the Canton Fair map for each phase in our Canton Fair Map post.
How to register for the Canton Fair 2024?
Registration of participants for the Canton Fair is free. Those who participated in previous editions can register for the next event using their account.
How to register for the Canton Fair 2024?
- Go to cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/register/index and select “Overseas Buyer” (if not based in Mainland China)
- Choose one of the options:
- “I have a buyer badge” (if you already have the Buyer Badge)
- “I don’t have a buyer badge” (if you do not have the Buyer Badge)
- “login” to log in to an existing account.
- In the case of the “I don’t have a Buyer Badge” option, submit the completed form.
After registration, you have access to the catalog of suppliers and products and can watch live videos. To get more options, you must verify your e-mail address and complete your profile.
Tickets for Canton Fair 2024
Non-Chinese guests can attend the Canton Fair for free.
A few weeks before the start of the trade show date, you should apply for an invitation to the fair (needed for the visa process) and for your first ID badge. The ID badge can be collected on-site – you will need a copy of the registration certificate and a passport photo.
What to do before the Canton Fair?
- Analyze which of the three phases of the fair you are most interested in.
- Register for the exhibition and check out the catalog of products and exhibitors.
- Prepare for your trip: get a visa in advance (1-2 months), buy a plane ticket, and book accommodation (many hotels near the exhibition hall provide transport to and from the event venue).
- Install WeChat on your mobile phone to keep in touch with exhibitors. Link your credit card in the app to make payment easier.
- Open a Revolut account, buy a Chinese SIM card, and install a VPN app (Astrill or ExpressVPN) to access blocked websites in China.
- When packing for the trip, check the weather conditions (we recommend taking comfortable shoes). It is worth preparing a small suitcase for advertising materials and samples.
Read more tips about preparations before the Canton Fair.
Supplier sourcing at the Canton Fair 2024
- If you do not speak Mandarin, hire an interpreter, or download a translation app (Pleco or Google Translate) to make communication easier.
- Prepare business cards and a business card holder. In China, business cards are handed out and accepted with both hands.
- Write down the questions you have for suppliers and arrange meetings with them. Bring a notebook and a camera to make documentation.
- Do not place your order on-site; instead, send an email summarizing the arrangements and finalize the details after the event.
- Always verify a potential Chinese business partner before you place an order to protect your business from unreliable suppliers.
How to get to Canton Fair in Guangzhou?
Guangzhou is one of the biggest cities in China. Thus, it is well connected to other major cities. In a matter of hours, you can get to Guangzhou from Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong. When in Guangzhou, you can get to the Pazhou Complex by taxi or:
- by train – get off at Guangzhou East, hail a taxi to the venue
- by subway – get on line 8 to Wanshengwei, get off at Xingangdong or Pazhou
- by bus – get on a bus running to the Canton Fair Exhibition Hall (229, 239, 262, 304, 582, 763, 988 lines, express line B7).
Business trip to China and an invitation letter
Citizens of most nations need a suitable visa to enter China. In most cases, a business visa is essential if you want to attend a Chinese trade show. There’s no need to show your health code any longer.
When registering for the trade show, make sure that the organizer provides a business invitation letter. When you apply for a visa, use the invitation letter.