Canton Fair 2027: Dates, Phases, Registration and How to Prepare
Quick answer: The spring 2027 Canton Fair (141st China Import and Export Fair) takes place in Guangzhou in three phases: Phase 1, Advanced Manufacturing, 15–19 April; Phase 2, Quality Home Life, 23–27 April; and Phase 3, Better Life, 1–5 May 2027. Pre-register as a buyer online before you travel, download the e-invitation letter if you need a visa, and choose the phase that matches your products.
Written by the HI-COM Asia team.
Last checked: 6 November 2026
Canton Fair 2027 at a glance
- Spring session (141st), official dates: 15 April – 5 May 2027, in three phases.
- Autumn session (142nd): expected in October–November 2027. Dates to be confirmed by the organiser.
- Venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex, Pazhou, Haizhu District, Guangzhou.
- Opening hours at recent sessions: 9:30–18:00 on each day of a phase.
- Buyer pre-registration: free, online, through the official Canton Fair website.
Source: official Canton Fair website (cantonfair.org.cn), checked 6 November 2026.
In this guide:
- When is the Canton Fair 2027?
- Which phase should you visit?
- How to register as a foreign buyer
- Visa and invitation letter
- Getting there and where to stay
- How to get real results from the fair
- FAQ
When Is the Canton Fair 2027?
The Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou. Each session is split into three phases of five days, and each phase covers different product categories.
| Phase | Spring 2027 dates | Theme | Main product categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 15–19 April 2027 | Advanced Manufacturing | Electronics and household appliances, industrial machinery, vehicles and new-energy vehicles, hardware and tools, lighting, new energy |
| Phase 2 | 23–27 April 2027 | Quality Home Life | Housewares and kitchenware, gifts and decorations, ceramics, furniture, building and decorative materials |
| Phase 3 | 1–5 May 2027 | Better Life | Textiles and fashion, shoes and bags, toys and baby products, office supplies, health and personal care, food |
Themes and dates are official for spring 2027. Product categories follow the latest session and can move between phases, so check the official exhibitor list before booking.
The autumn 2027 session usually follows the same three-phase pattern from mid-October to early November. We update this guide when the organiser confirms the dates. To compare the Canton Fair with other shows, see our China trade fairs 2027 calendar.
Which Canton Fair Phase Should You Visit?
- Electronics, machinery, tools, lighting or solar products: Phase 1.
- Home, kitchen, gifts, furniture or building materials: Phase 2.
- Fashion, textiles, toys, baby products, health or food: Phase 3.
- Distributors for your own products: check the International Pavilion and the import exhibitors listed by the organiser.
If your products sit across two phases, Phases 2 and 3 are only a few days apart. Use the days in between to visit factories in Guangdong, or plan a separate sourcing trip to Yiwu Market, one of the world’s largest wholesale markets for small commodities.
How to Register for the Canton Fair as a Foreign Buyer
- Prepare your documents: a passport valid for at least six months, a recent photo on a light background, and a business card with the same name as your passport.
- Pre-register online in the buyer section of the official Canton Fair website. Enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport.
- Save the pre-registration confirmation you receive by email.
- Collect your buyer badge with your original passport and confirmation. Badge counters are available at the fair and, at recent sessions, also at partner hotels, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and Guangzhou South Railway Station. Avoid the morning queues at the venue if you can.
Pre-registration is free. Buyers who register on site without pre-registering may face longer queues and a processing fee.
Do You Need a Visa or an Invitation Letter for the Canton Fair?
It depends on your nationality and the length of your trip.
- Check visa-free options first. Many passports now qualify for China’s visa-free entry or visa-free transit policies. The rules change regularly, so confirm with the Chinese embassy or consulate before you book.
- If you need a visa, a Canton Fair trip is normally a business visit: the M visa. Our guide explains the difference between the M visa and the Z work visa.
- Use the e-invitation letter. Registered buyers can download an e-invitation letter from the official buyer portal and use it in their M visa application.
- On the visa form, the “inviting entity” question then refers to the organiser named on your invitation letter. See our guide to the inviting entity section of the China visa form.
- If supporting documents must be in Chinese, use a certified Chinese translation.
Getting to the Canton Fair Complex and Where to Stay
- Metro: Line 8. Xingang Dong Station serves Zone A; Pazhou Station serves Zones B and C. Zone D is linked by skywalks and shuttles.
- Airport: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), then metro or taxi to Pazhou.
- High-speed train: Guangzhou South Railway Station, with metro connections to Pazhou.
- Hotels: book early. Rooms near Pazhou fill up for each phase, and many buyers stay along Metro Line 8 or in Tianhe and Zhujiang New Town.
How to Get Real Results from the Canton Fair
Before the fair
- Define one goal: new suppliers, a second source for an existing product, or distributors.
- Prepare a one-page spec for each product: materials, sizes, packaging, certifications and target quantity.
- Shortlist exhibitors from the official online list and book meetings in advance.
At the fair
- Ask each supplier whether it is a factory or a trading company, its minimum order quantity, its production time and its certifications.
- Photograph the booth number and business card, and write down the Chinese company name.
- Agree on the next step before you leave: quote, sample or factory visit, and by when.
After the fair
- Send follow-ups within a week, with your spec attached.
- Verify each supplier’s legal company, licence and bank account before paying a deposit. Our guide shows how to check a Chinese company in the official registry, or our team can run a Chinese company check for you.
- Compare samples against your spec before confirming any order.
Canton Fair, Yiwu or Factory Visits?
| Option | Best for | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Canton Fair | Meeting thousands of manufacturers across industries in a few days | Spring and autumn sessions only |
| Yiwu Market | Many small product lines and lower order quantities | Open most of the year |
| Factory visits | Custom products, audits and long-term production | Any time, by appointment |
Many buyers combine them: one Canton Fair phase, a few factory visits, then Yiwu or Shanghai.
How HI-COM Can Help with Your Canton Fair Visit
From our team
During the spring 2019 Canton Fair, a HI-COM interpreter worked alongside a foreign buyer for two full days of supplier meetings at the fair. Read the case study.
Need a professional interpreter for negotiations and technical discussions? See our Canton Fair interpreting services.
HI-COM’s Shanghai team supports foreign buyers and exhibitors before, during and after the fair:
- Fair Visit Essentials: phase selection, exhibitor shortlist, meeting plan and interpreters on site.
- Sourcing Mission: supplier checks, interpreters, factory visits, sample follow-up, quality control, consolidation and transport.
- Exhibitor Support: booth support, printed materials, on-site activation and marketing content.
- Going further: market entry strategy, distributor search and marketing in China.
Tell us your products, the phase you plan to visit and your travel dates. We reply within 12 to 24 hours with a free, tailored proposal.
Prefer WeChat? Use the WeChat contact on our contact page.
Canton Fair FAQ
When is the Canton Fair 2027?
The spring 2027 Canton Fair runs in three phases in Guangzhou: 15–19 April, 23–27 April and 1–5 May 2027. The autumn session is expected in October and November 2027, with dates to be confirmed by the organiser.
Where is the Canton Fair held?
The Canton Fair is held at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Pazhou, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, served by Metro Line 8.
Is the Canton Fair free for buyers?
Buyer pre-registration on the official Canton Fair website is free. Buyers who register on site without pre-registering may pay a processing fee.
How do I get a Canton Fair invitation letter?
Registered buyers can download an e-invitation letter from the official Canton Fair buyer portal and use it to apply for a Chinese M (business) visa.
Which phase of the Canton Fair is best for me?
Phase 1 covers electronics, machinery, vehicles, hardware and energy. Phase 2 covers housewares, gifts, furniture and building materials. Phase 3 covers textiles, fashion, toys, baby products, health and food.
Can I visit factories during the Canton Fair?
Yes. Many buyers visit factories in Guangdong between phases. Book visits before the fair, and verify each company before you travel.
Do I need an interpreter at the Canton Fair?
Many exhibitors speak some English, but an interpreter helps with technical details, pricing, quality terms and factory visits, where misunderstandings are costly. See how to choose a Canton Fair interpreter.
How do I check a supplier I met at the Canton Fair?
Ask for the full Chinese company name and Unified Social Credit Code, check the company in China’s official business registry, and make sure the bank account belongs to the same company before you pay.
Sources
- China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), official website: 141st session dates and phase themes, checked 6 November 2026.
- Trip.com, Canton Fair guide: product categories, opening hours, metro access, registration and badge pickup at the latest session.
