Canton Fair (Autumn Edition) — 140th Edition
📍 Guangzhou, Guangdong — Complejo Ferial de Importación y Exportación de China (Pazhou)
📅 15 Oct 2026 – 4 Nov 2026
Updated on 8 Jul 2026
About this fair
The China Import and Export Fair, known as the Canton Fair, is China's largest and oldest trade fair, held since 1957.
Most in-demand products
Phase 1 (Oct 15-19): electronics, machinery, new energy. Phase 2 (Oct 23-27): home, gifts. Phase 3 (Oct 31-Nov 4): textiles, footwear, health.
Tips for visitors
Book accommodation in Haizhu, Tianhe or Yuexiu well in advance: hotels near Pazhou fill up weeks ahead.
Registration & entry
The overseas Buyer Badge is free of charge: apply online through the fair's official system with your passport and company details. Once approved you receive a confirmation and, if you need a visa, the invitation letter is generated within the same system.
The physical badge is collected at the venue with your confirmation and passport (some partner hotels also print it at reception, which saves long queues on opening day). A replacement for a lost badge costs 200 RMB, and the badge remains valid for future editions — keep it.
Opening hours: 9:30–18:00 every day of each phase.
Visa: check the visa policy in force for your nationality before booking flights — short-stay exemptions have been extended to many countries, but conditions change frequently.
How to get there
Metro (the most reliable option at peak times): Line 8 — Xingangdong station for Area A and Pazhou station for Areas B and C.
From Baiyun Airport (CAN): 45–60 minutes by taxi or DiDi; by metro, Line 3 with a transfer to Line 8.
By high-speed rail: arrive at Guangzhou South and connect by metro (~40 min) or taxi.
From Hong Kong: high-speed rail to Guangzhou or, during fair dates, a direct ferry from Hong Kong International Airport to the Pazhou pier.
Where to stay near the fair
The only hotel with direct access to the exhibition halls. Consistently outstanding reviews from buyers; it sells out months before each phase.
A two-minute walk from the Area A entrance, with some of the area's best sustained ratings and a rooftop bar to wind down with fellow buyers.
Classic luxury with gardens and a pool, a free shuttle to the fair and restaurants recognised by the Michelin guide.
The best-rated mid-range option with direct connectivity to the fair complex; the value-for-money pick during fair dates.
During fair dates prices multiply and the good options vanish. On a tighter budget, look along metro Line 8 or in Zhujiang New Town — and if you book on Trip.com, our code TLSX3O helps us keep this directory free.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Autumn 2026 Canton Fair?
The 140th edition runs in three phases: October 15–19 (electronics and machinery), October 23–27 (home, gifts and decoration) and October 31–November 4 (textiles, fashion, health and food), from 9:30 to 18:00, at the Pazhou complex in Guangzhou. This edition also marks the fair's 70th anniversary.
How much does entry cost?
Entry is free for overseas buyers who register online in advance through the official system. Replacing a lost badge costs 200 RMB. A realistic budget for the whole trip (flights, hotel, meals and transport for about 5 days) is usually €2,000–3,000.
Which phase should I attend for my product?
Phase 1: electronics, appliances, machinery, vehicles and energy. Phase 2: home, gifts, decoration, furniture and building materials. Phase 3: textiles, fashion, footwear, toys and baby, stationery, health and food. Attending the wrong phase is the most expensive first-trip mistake.
Do I need a visa?
Check the visa policy in force for your nationality before booking: short-stay exemptions cover many countries but conditions change frequently. If you do need a visa (long stays or multiple entries), the invitation letter is generated from the fair's own registration system.
Where should I stay?
The most convenient base is Pazhou (The Westin Pazhou, Langham Place or Shangri-La) within walking distance, or any hotel along metro Line 8. Book 2-3 months ahead: prices rise sharply during fair dates and the best options sell out.
Spring or autumn?
The phase sectors are the same. The autumn edition usually draws more international attendance — and the 140th will be especially notable for the 70th anniversary —; the spring edition is somewhat less crowded.
How do I prepare my visit?
Register online in advance, download the fair's official app to locate exhibitors and plan your route, bring plenty of business cards and comfortable shoes, and prepare a short list of target suppliers by hall. And if you want someone by your side negotiating in Chinese for you, get in touch.
Location and what's nearby
Quick guide to Guangzhou
What to see
Canton Tower
600m tower with an observation deck and panoramic ferris wheel
Shamian Island
Former European concession with colonial architecture
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
Spectacular example of traditional Cantonese architecture
Shangxiajiu Market
Pedestrian shopping street for shopping and street food
Getting around
Guangzhou's metro is extensive and goes straight to the Pazhou fair venue (Line 8, Pazhou station). Taxis are cheap but few drivers speak English: use DiDi with the address in Chinese.
In mainland China, Google, Gmail, WhatsApp and Instagram aren't accessible without a VPN arranged before you travel (it can't be installed once you've arrived). Hong Kong doesn't have this restriction.
Most used apps
Before your trip
Calculate your real margin before negotiating at this fair
Landed cost, duties and break-even point in seconds.
Open the calculator →Cluster mapDiscover Guangdong's industrial cluster
Electronics, toys, textiles and hardware. The country's largest concentration of exporting factories.
See the full cluster →How I can help you with this fair
Going to visit this fair? I'll support you in supplier negotiations, act as your interpreter, and handle upfront verification so you don't go in blind.
Related fairs
LED CHINA — Shenzhen
Shenzhen · Guangdong
1 Mar 2026 – 3 Mar 2026
East China Fair (ECF) — 34th Edition
Shanghai · Shanghai
1 Mar 2026 – 4 Mar 2026
Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics — Spring Edition
Shanghai · Shanghai
11 Mar 2026 – 13 Mar 2026
