Canton Fair 2026 Complete Guide — Dates, Registration, Phase Schedule (Bilingual)

Updated April 2026 · By Jing — bilingual, based in Guangdong, China

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Table of Contents | 目录

1. What is the Canton Fair?
2. 2026 Official Dates
3. Phase 1 / 2 / 3 Breakdown
4. Registration for Foreign Buyers
5. Venue & Getting There
6. Exhibitor Categories & Hall Layout
7. What to Bring & How to Prepare
8. Accommodation Near Pazhou
9. Tips from Someone Based in Guangdong
10. Practical Chinese Phrases
11. Common Mistakes Foreigners Make
12. Alternatives if You Miss the Canton Fair

1. What is the Canton Fair? | 广交会是什么？ {#what-is-the-canton-fair}

The Canton Fair — officially the China Import and Export Fair (中国进出口商品交易会) — is the largest and longest-running trade fair in China. Founded in 1957, it is held every spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November) in Guangzhou. It is co-hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the Guangdong Provincial Government, and organized by the China Foreign Trade Centre. As of 2025, it has been held 138 times. The 139th edition opens in April 2026. With over 25,000 exhibitors spanning 13 sectors and 54 exhibition zones, it is the single most important sourcing event for anyone buying from China.

广交会，全称中国进出口商品交易会，是中国历史最悠久、规模最大的综合性国际贸易盛会。自1957年创办以来，每年春秋两季在广州举办，由商务部和广东省人民政府联合主办，中国对外贸易中心承办。截至2025年秋季已成功举办138届，2026年春季为第139届。广交会设有13个板块、54个展区，汇聚超过25,000家参展企业，是全球采购中国商品最重要的平台。广交会的口号是"广交世界，互利天下"。

2. 2026 Official Dates | 2026年展会日期 {#2026-official-dates}

Spring Session — 139th Canton Fair | 春季·第139届

Total span: April 15 – May 5, 2026 (21 days)

总展期：2026年4月15日至5月5日（共21天）

Autumn Session — 140th Canton Fair | 秋季·第140届

Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM daily (last entry 5:30 PM)

开放时间：每日9:30–18:00（最后入场时间17:30）

3. Phase 1 / 2 / 3 Breakdown | 三期展品分类详解 {#phase-breakdown}

The Canton Fair is split into 3 phases, each lasting 5 days, covering different industries. The 139th edition features 13 sectors and 54 exhibition zones. You MUST plan which phase to attend based on your product categories — they do not overlap.

广交会分三期举办，每期5天，涵盖不同行业。第139届设13个板块、54个展区。务必根据您的采购品类选择对应的展期——各期展品互不重叠。

Phase 1 第一期 (April 15–19 | 4月15日–19日)

Focus: Electronics, Machinery, Vehicles, Building Materials, Industrial Products

重点：电子、机械、车辆、建材、工业品

Phase 2 第二期 (April 23–27 | 4月23日–27日)

Focus: Consumer Goods, Home Decor, Gifts, Personal Care

重点：日用消费品、家居装饰、礼品、个人护理

Phase 3 第三期 (May 1–5 | 5月1日–5日)

Focus: Textiles, Garments, Shoes, Food, Medical Supplies

重点：纺织、服装、鞋类、食品、医疗

4. Registration for Foreign Buyers | 境外采购商注册指南 {#registration}

How to Register | 注册方式

Registration is free for overseas buyers and is done entirely online through the official portal.

境外采购商注册免费，全部通过官方在线系统完成。

Registration Portal 注册入口：

https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/index?lang=zh-CN

Step-by-Step | 注册步骤

1. Create an account — Visit the registration portal. Select "境外采购商" (Overseas Buyer). Provide your email and set a password.
2. Complete your profile — Fill in personal and company details: full name (as on passport), company name, business type, country/region, phone number.
3. Upload documents — Passport photo page (clear scan), business license or company registration certificate, business card (optional but recommended).
4. Submit for review — The system typically processes applications within 1–3 business days.
5. Receive your badge — After approval, you'll get a QR code. You can either print your badge in advance or collect it on-site at the badge printing stations.

注册步骤：

1. 创建账号 — 访问注册入口，选择"境外采购商"身份，填写邮箱并设置密码。
2. 完善资料 — 填写个人及公司信息：护照姓名、公司名称、经营类型、国家/地区、电话号码。
3. 上传文件 — 护照信息页扫描件（清晰）、营业执照或公司注册证书、名片（建议提供）。
4. 提交审核 — 系统通常在1–3个工作日内完成审核。
5. 领取证件 — 审核通过后获得二维码，可提前自行打印证件或到现场证件打印站制作。

Important Notes | 注意事项

• Registration opens approximately 2 months before each session. Don't wait until the last week.
• You need a valid passport — national ID cards from most countries are not accepted.
• One badge per person — badges are non-transferable and checked at every entrance.
• The badge grants access to all three phases in a single session (spring or autumn).
• For buyer inquiries, call the official hotline: 4000-888-999

• 注册通常在展会前2个月左右开放，不要等到最后一周才注册。
• 需要有效护照——大多数国家的身份证不被接受。
• 一人一证——证件不可转让，每个入口都会核验。
• 一张证件可参加同一届（春季或秋季）的全部三期展会。
• 采购商咨询热线：4000-888-999

5. Venue & Getting There | 场馆及交通 {#venue}

China Import and Export Fair Complex (Pazhou) | 中国进出口商品交易会展馆（琶洲）

Address 地址：

382 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510335

广州市海珠区阅江中路382号 邮编：510335

The venue is one of the largest exhibition complexes in Asia, with a total area of over 1.1 million square meters. It consists of Areas A, B, and C (A区、B区、C区), connected by elevated walkways.

展馆是亚洲最大的展览场馆之一，总面积超过110万平方米，由A区、B区、C区组成，通过空中连廊相连。

Metro (Recommended) | 地铁（推荐）

From Baiyun Airport (CAN) | 从白云机场出发

• Metro: Airport South → Line 3 → Kecun → Line 8 → Pazhou (~70 min, ¥7)
• Taxi/DiDi: ~45–70 min depending on traffic, ¥120–180
• Airport shuttle: Bus lines available to Pazhou area

• 地铁： 机场南站 → 3号线 → 客村站 → 8号线 → 琶洲站（约70分钟，¥7）
• 出租车/滴滴： 约45–70分钟（视路况），¥120–180
• 机场大巴： 有前往琶洲方向的班车

From Guangzhou South Railway Station | 从广州南站出发

• Metro: Guangzhou South → Line 2 → Changgang → Line 8 → Pazhou (~40 min, ¥5)
• Taxi/DiDi: ~30 min, ¥50–80

• 地铁： 广州南站 → 2号线 → 昌岗站 → 8号线 → 琶洲站（约40分钟，¥5）
• 出租车/滴滴： 约30分钟，¥50–80

From Hong Kong | 从香港出发

Take the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link (广深港高铁) from West Kowloon to Guangzhou South Station (~50 min). Then metro or taxi to Pazhou.

乘坐广深港高铁从西九龙到广州南站（约50分钟），再转地铁或出租车前往琶洲。

6. Exhibitor Categories & Hall Layout | 展品分类及展馆布局 {#categories}

The venue has 3 areas (A, B, C) with halls numbered from 1.1 to 16.3. The general layout by phase:

展馆分A、B、C三个展区，展厅编号从1.1到16.3。各期大致对应：

13 Sectors at a Glance | 13大板块一览

7. What to Bring & How to Prepare | 参会准备清单 {#preparation}

Essential Items | 必带物品

• Passport (physical copy, valid for 6+ months) 护照原件（有效期6个月以上）
• Business cards (at least 200–300; bilingual English/Chinese is ideal) 名片（至少200–300张，中英双语最佳）
• Printed buyer badge or mobile QR code 打印好的采购商证件或手机二维码
• Product spec sheets for items you want to source 目标采购产品的规格说明
• A sturdy tote bag for catalogs and samples 结实的手提袋（用于装目录和样品）
• Comfortable shoes — you WILL walk 15–25km per day 舒适的鞋子——每天步行15–25公里
• Portable phone charger 充电宝
• Cash (RMB) + WeChat Pay/Alipay (set up before arrival) 现金（人民币）+ 微信支付/支付宝（提前开通）
• VPN on your phone/laptop if you need Google, WhatsApp, etc. 手机/电脑安装VPN（如需使用谷歌、WhatsApp等）

Before You Go | 出发前准备

1. Register online at least 2 weeks before the fair opens 至少提前2周在线注册
2. Research exhibitors on the Canton Fair website/app (search by product category) 在官网/APP上搜索目标参展商（按产品类别筛选）
3. Schedule meetings in advance using the "Trade Bridge" (贸易之桥) matching platform 通过"贸易之桥"平台提前预约洽谈
4. Book your hotel early — rooms near Pazhou sell out 2–3 months ahead 提前预订酒店——琶洲附近酒店通常提前2–3个月售罄
5. Get a China SIM card or eSIM — airport kiosks sell tourist SIMs 购买中国电话卡或eSIM——机场有售旅游SIM卡
6. Download translation apps — Google Translate (offline Chinese pack), or use 百度翻译 下载翻译软件——谷歌翻译（离线中文包）或百度翻译

8. Accommodation Near Pazhou | 琶洲周边住宿推荐 {#accommodation}

Walking Distance (< 1km) | 步行可达（1公里内）

Nearby (Metro accessible, 2–4 stops) | 地铁可达（2–4站）

Budget-Friendly | 经济型选择

9. Tips from Someone Based in Guangdong | 来自广东本地人的建议 {#local-tips}

Arrive a day early. The first day of each phase is the busiest — 100,000+ visitors. If you arrive the day before, you can get your badge sorted, test your transportation route, and hit the floor fresh on opening morning.

提前一天到达。 每期第一天是最拥挤的——超过10万人入场。提前一天到达可以办好证件、熟悉交通路线，第二天一早精力充沛地逛展。

Eat before you enter. The food inside the venue is overpriced and mediocre. Have a big breakfast at your hotel or grab something at the metro station. If you do eat inside, the food court in Area B is the best option.

入场前吃饱。 场内餐饮价格偏高且一般。在酒店吃好早餐或在地铁站买点东西。如需在场内用餐，B区美食广场相对最好。

Go to the second or third day. Day 1 is a zoo. Days 2–3 are when serious buyers negotiate. Days 4–5 exhibitors are more willing to discuss pricing and MOQ flexibility because they've already met their quota of contacts.

建议第二或第三天去。 第一天人山人海。第二、三天是认真采购商谈判的时间。第四、五天参展商更愿意讨论价格和起订量灵活性，因为他们已完成大部分接洽任务。

Bring your own water bottle. There are water dispensers but the lines get long. Guangzhou in April–May is hot and humid (28–33°C). Stay hydrated.

自带水壶。 展馆有饮水机但排队很长。广州4–5月闷热潮湿（28–33°C），注意补水。

Use WeChat, not WhatsApp. Almost every Chinese supplier communicates via WeChat. Set it up before you arrive and have your QR code ready to scan. This is how you'll maintain contact after the fair.

用微信，别用WhatsApp。 几乎所有中国供应商都用微信沟通。提前注册微信并准备好二维码。展后联络主要靠微信。

Get quotes in writing. Verbal quotes mean nothing. Ask exhibitors to write down: unit price, MOQ, sample cost, production time, and FOB port. Take a photo of the quote with their business card.

获取书面报价。 口头报价没有意义。请参展商写下：单价、起订量、样品费、生产周期、FOB港口，然后拍照留存并附上名片。

Guangzhou is a food paradise. Don't eat at the hotel every night. Explore: dim sum (早茶) at 点都德 or 广州酒家, Cantonese roast meats (烧腊) at 太兴, claypot rice (煲仔饭) at 超记, and late-night congee (粥) anywhere in Liwan district.

广州是美食天堂。 别每晚都在酒店吃。去探索：点都德或广州酒家的早茶，太兴的烧腊，超记的煲仔饭，荔湾区随处可见的深夜粥铺。

10. Practical Chinese Phrases for the Fair | 广交会实用中文短语 {#chinese-phrases}

Greetings & Basics | 问候及基础用语

At the Exhibition | 在展馆内

Navigation & Daily Life | 交通及日常

11. Common Mistakes Foreigners Make | 外国采购商常犯的错误 {#common-mistakes}

1. Not knowing which phase to attend | 不清楚该参加哪一期

Each phase covers completely different product categories. If you sell furniture but attend Phase 1, you'll find zero relevant exhibitors. Check the phase breakdown above and plan accordingly.

每期展品完全不同。如果你采购家具却去了第一期，你会发现没有相关参展商。请对照上文展品分期安排好行程。

2. Only visiting one day | 只去一天

One day is not enough. You'll spend the first half just getting oriented. Plan for at least 2–3 days per phase. Serious buyers stay for the entire 5-day phase.

一天远远不够。前半天基本在找方向。每期至少安排2–3天，认真的采购商会参加完整的5天展期。

3. Not having WeChat ready | 没有提前准备好微信

If you hand out business cards and email addresses, most Chinese suppliers will never follow up via email. They use WeChat. Set up a WeChat account with an international phone number before you arrive.

如果你只留名片和邮箱，大多数中国供应商不会通过邮件跟进。他们用微信。出发前用国际手机号注册好微信。

4. Accepting the first price | 接受第一个报价

First prices at the Canton Fair are always inflated. Always negotiate. Ask for volume discounts, compare 3–5 suppliers, and negotiate after the fair via WeChat when urgency is lower.

广交会上的第一个报价总是偏高的。一定要砍价。询问批量折扣，对比3–5家供应商，展后通过微信在没有紧迫感时再谈。

5. Not bringing enough business cards | 名片带得不够

You'll exchange cards with 30–50 exhibitors per day. Bilingual cards (English + Chinese) make a much better impression. Budget 200–300 for a full trip.

你每天会和30–50个参展商交换名片。中英双语名片更受欢迎。整个行程准备200–300张。

6. Ignoring the online platform | 忽视线上平台

The Canton Fair has a permanent online platform at 365.cantonfair.org.cn and a "Trade Bridge" (贸易之桥) matching system. Use them to pre-screen suppliers and schedule meetings. Walking in blind wastes time.

广交会有常设线上平台（365.cantonfair.org.cn）和"贸易之桥"供采对接系统。用它们提前筛选供应商和预约会议。盲目逛展浪费时间。

7. Not verifying suppliers after the fair | 展后不做供应商验证

The Canton Fair is a starting point, not a finish line. After the fair, verify suppliers: check their business license, visit their factory, order samples, and use a third-party inspection service before placing large orders.

广交会是起点，不是终点。展后务必验证供应商：查验营业执照、实地验厂、订购样品，大单前使用第三方验货服务。

8. Dressing too casually | 穿着过于随意

While Guangzhou is hot, showing up in shorts and flip-flops signals to exhibitors that you're not a serious buyer. Business casual is the sweet spot — polo shirts, chinos, and comfortable closed shoes.

虽然广州天气炎热，但穿短裤拖鞋会让参展商觉得你不是认真的采购商。商务休闲最合适——Polo衫、休闲裤、舒适的包头鞋。

12. Alternatives if You Miss the Canton Fair | 错过广交会的替代方案 {#alternatives}

If you can't make it to Guangzhou in April/May or October/November, here are your best alternatives:

如果您无法在4–5月或10–11月前往广州，以下是最佳替代选择：

Other Major China Trade Fairs | 其他中国大型展会

Year-Round Options | 全年可行方案

• Canton Fair Online (365.cantonfair.org.cn) — Browse exhibitors, send inquiries, and negotiate year-round on the permanent online platform. 广交会线上平台——全年可浏览参展商、发送询盘、在线洽谈。
• Alibaba.com / 1688.com — The world's largest B2B platforms for China sourcing. 全球最大的中国采购B2B平台。
• Yiwu International Trade Market — Open year-round, 75,000+ booths of small commodities. 义乌国际商贸城——全年开放，75,000+摊位。
• Shenzhen Huaqiangbei — For electronics components, visit in person any time. 深圳华强北——电子元器件，随时可访。
• Factory visits in the PRD — Hire a sourcing agent or interpreter and visit factories directly in Foshan (ceramics, furniture), Dongguan (electronics, toys), Zhongshan (lighting), or Shunde (appliances). 珠三角验厂——请采购代理或翻译直接走访佛山（陶瓷、家具）、东莞（电子、玩具）、中山（灯饰）、顺德（家电）的工厂。

Quick Reference Card | 速查卡片

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139th Canton Fair (Spring 2026) | 第139届广交会（2026年春季）

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Phase 1: April 15–19 | 第一期：4月15日–19日

Phase 2: April 23–27 | 第二期：4月23日–27日

Phase 3: May 1–5 | 第三期：5月1日–5日

Venue: 382 Yuejiang Zhong Rd, Haizhu, Guangzhou

场馆：广州市海珠区阅江中路382号

Metro: Line 8 → Pazhou Station

地铁：8号线 → 琶洲站

Register: buyer.cantonfair.org.cn

注册：buyer.cantonfair.org.cn

Hotline: 4000-888-999

热线：4000-888-999

Website: www.cantonfair.org.cn

官网：www.cantonfair.org.cn

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Need Help? | 需要帮助？

Whether it's your first Canton Fair or your twentieth, we can help you prepare, navigate, and follow up. We're based in Guangdong and know this fair inside out.

无论您是第一次还是第二十次参加广交会，我们都能帮您做好准备、高效参展、展后跟进。我们扎根广东，对广交会了如指掌。

Get in touch 联系我们： [email protected]

This guide was compiled from official Chinese-language sources at cantonfair.org.cn. For the most current information, always check the official website.

本指南数据来源于广交会中文官网 cantonfair.org.cn。最新信息请以官网公告为准。

Need hands-on help? Jing is based in Guangdong — right next to Shenzhen and China's factory belt. [email protected]