The most effective approach for a successful collaboration with Chinese companies is to participate in a trade fair. It provides a valuable opportunity to carefully examine both the suppliers and their products. In addition, the wide variety of products offered on-site makes it easy to compare prices and can serve as a source of inspiration for future projects. An exceptional choice among prime locations for such ventures is none other than Yiwu.
What is Yiwu?
Yiwu, a city considered small by Chinese standards, is located in Zhejiang Province in eastern China. With an area of 4 million square meters, it is the world’s largest wholesale market for small commodities. It comprises five districts, offering a stunning display of 75,000 booths, 100,000 exhibitors, and over 400,000 products. If you are going to Yiwu, check our guide here.
Yiwu also boasts its own platform, yiwugo.com, which could be compared to a mini-Alibaba. It allows you to explore available manufacturers in Yiwu and get an idea of what you might find on-site.
In addition to the year-round open booths, Yiwu hosts numerous trade fairs, with the Yiwu Fair being the most significant.
What is the Yiwu Fair?
The Yiwu Fair, known as the China Yiwu International Commodities (Standards) Fair, is the most influential fair for daily consumer goods in China. It is held annually since its establishment in 1995, and its great variety of goods attracts thousands of visitors from all around the world.
The Yiwu Fair offers a wide range of products related to:
- Electronics
- Hardware
- Building Hardware
- Daily Necessities
- Knitwear & Textile
- Toys
- Crafts
- Ornaments
- Stationery & Office Supplies
- Sports & Outdoor Leisure Products
- Gift Packaging
- Garden Tools
To check the full list of exhibitors and their products, please visit the event’s official website – https://en.yiwufair.com/.
When and where will the Yiwu Fair 2023 be held?
If the fair’s variety meets your requirements, consider attending the next edition, which will be held from October 21st to 24th, 2023 at the Yiwu International Expo Center in Yiwu. Online registration will be available soon through the previously mentioned official website.
Reasons to attend the Yiwu Fair 2023
The 29th edition of the Yiwu Fair 2023 will be a two-floor event, where 3600 booths will be available on-site in an area covering 100 000 m2. It is a perfect way to meet many Chinese suppliers and examine their products. Additionally, this fair will be held between phases 1 and 2 of the massive Canton Fair, therefore the Yiwu Fair could be an additional stop for those who already plan a trip to Canton.
Another major advantage of the Yiwu Fair is its low minimum order quantity, making it particularly convenient for those without specific plans, who wish to explore a wide range of products and find a source of inspiration. It is worth mentioning that most prices on-site are lower, and an impressive 97% of visitors are satisfied with the fair.
How to prepare for a trade fair visit?
When preparing for a successful trade visit and collaboration with Chinese companies, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. First and foremost, it is crucial to acknowledge the significance of business cards in Chinese business culture. Preparing a set of bilingual business cards, preferably in English and Chinese, is a must. However, it is only the first step to success, as along with business cards, comes proper etiquette. When exchanging them, always use both hands and read them carefully, before putting them away in a special case or a wallet. It will be considered a sign of respect. Under no circumstances should you fold them or put them in your back pocket!
Additionally, it is highly recommended to download WeChat in advance, as it is the primary social media platform in China. Many Chinese companies use WeChat QR codes to share their business cards, making the whole process a lot easier. WeChat has also become the main mode of business correspondence, replacing email almost completely. Therefore, communicating with Chinese partners via WeChat will be much more effective.
Preparing a list of questions to ask the suppliers might also be useful, as there is a better chance we will not forget any details. It would also allow us to write down their answers, making it particularly convenient when speaking with multiple manufacturers. It is also highly recommended to prepare answers for their questions beforehand, as we will seem much more professional that way.