Guide to visit the Canton Fair

The China Import and Export Fair, better known as the Canton Fair, has been held in Guangzhou since 1957. Canton Fair. If you are planning to travel to China to visit the most important trade fair in the world, this article will interest you.

What is the Canton Fair?

This event, organized by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the China Foreign Trade Center, is held in Guangzhou province during spring and autumn.
It is a platform for companies and buyers seeking to source products to import from China to meet. It is estimated that more than 25,000 Chinese suppliers meet every year.

All kinds of Chinese products to import
As the Canton Fair brings together a wide variety of Chinese products for import, it is divided into 3 phases throughout the year:
 
Phase 1 (March - Aprl)
Machinery
Vehicles and auto parts
Motorcycles and bicycles
Chemicals
Tools
Construction and decoration materials
Appliances
Gadgets
Computers
Lighting

Phase 2 (April)
Kitchen utensils
Ceramics and porcelain
Handicrafts
Furniture
Glassware
Household items
Personal care items
Watches and glasses
Toys and gifts
Party supplies

Phase 3 (April)
Clothing
Leather goods
Fabrics
Carpets and rugs
Medicines
Medical equipment
Sporting goods
Stationery
Footwear

How do I attend the Canton Fair?

Registration and verification for foreign buyers is now available. To register or verify, please go to https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/register/index and click on "Foreign Buyer".
To attend the Canton Fair, you will need a Chinese visa and to register for a buyer's credential. The fair's invitation can help you obtain both.
invitation
Visa
Registration

Invitation

With the invitation, foreign buyers could:
Apply for a visa for China (the Canton Fair invitation may help you obtain a visa, but it all depends on the Chinese Embassy in your country).
Get a free Fair admission badge at the Express Registration Channel.
Foreign buyers can apply for an invitation to Canton Fair through:
1.By BEST (Buyer e-Service Tool)
2.Contacting Canton Fair Call Center, China Foreign Trade Center, China Foreign Trade Center
3.Contact the Economic and Commercial Counselor's Office of the Embassy (Economic and Commercial Section of the Consulate General) of PR China in your region
4.Contact Overseas Cooperative Organizations of the China Foreign Trade Center
5.Contacting the Canton Fair Hong Kong representative office - (852) 28771318
6.When communicating with Chinese foreign trade enterprises (companies) with which you are doing business 

Visa

Do I need a Chinese visa to visit the Canton Fair?
If you are not from a country that has a visa-free policy with chinavisa, then you will need to apply for a Chinese visa before you go. There are many different types of visas, but the most common for business travel is the "M" visa. 
Here is the place where you can obtain a Chinese visa.
1.The embassy or Consulate General of the PR China in your country (Missions Abroad). 
2.A local travel agency or visa agency. 
3.Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong. Website.  http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/fwxx/wgrqz/  Tel: 852-34132300 or 852-34132424 E-mail: fmcovisa_hk@mfa.gov.cn
4.72/144 hours transit visa Waiver Policy (Questions and answers about 72-hour transit visa waiver policy) 

Please note:
The official invitation to the Canton Fair includes only the buyer's name, nationality and company name. Generally, an invitation from Chinese factories or foreign trade corporations (companies) works best for Chinese visa applications. Please note that the Canton Fair invitation may help you obtain the Chinese visa, but it all depends on the Chinese embassy in your country.
Buyers who need to leave mainland China to Hong Kong, Macau and return again to Guangzhou must apply for a multiple-entry visa.
If you are already flying to China without a Chinese visa, you may choose to fly to Hong Kong.

Registration
Registration Offices
Obtaining the Express Channel badge for online pre-application buyers at registration offices
Table of registration documents requested
Notes to the document
Time of registration
Registration process log
Tips for entry badge