Do I need an invitation to attend the Canton Fair?

Most overseas buyers use an official invitation letter, it supports your visa application and your buyer registration. It's free to obtain, and we arrange it for you.

Is the Canton Fair free to attend?

Entry on a pre-registered buyer badge is free; registering on-site instead carries a small fee. The bigger costs are travel, accommodation and, if you need them, interpreting and sourcing support.

Can I attend on a tourist visa?

No. Overseas buyers attending for trade need a China business (M) visa. A tourist visa is not valid for fair activity, and using one carries real risk.

Which phase should I attend?

It depends on your product. The fair runs in three phases, each covering different categories, attending the wrong week means your products aren't on show. We match your travel to the right phase.

How far ahead should I plan?

Begin several weeks out: the invitation and visa take time, hotels near the venue fill early, and interpreters get booked. We give you a dated plan so nothing is left to the last minute.

Do I need a registered company to attend?

Buyers typically register with business details, but requirements vary by situation. Tell us your circumstances and we'll confirm what you need before you apply.

Can HCSG help me find suppliers, not just get me in?

Yes. Beyond access, we offer buyer to seller matchmaking, interpreting and booth support, so you meet vetted suppliers in your category rather than wandering the halls.

Does HCSG charge for the Canton Fair invitation letter?

No. The official invitation through the BEST portal is free, and we never charge for the document. HCSG's service fee covers the end-to-end coordination, sourcing the right invitation, business-visa support, logistics, and matchmaking. Contact our team for a tailored quote.

When is the Canton Fair after autumn 2026?

The fair is held every spring and autumn. A spring 2027 session follows; its exact dates are confirmed closer to the time. We keep clients updated so you can plan the right cycle.

How to Attend the Canton Fair: A 2026 Guide for Overseas Buyers

Attending the Canton Fair at a glance

140 thnext edition

3five-day phases

Freebuyer badge

Mvisa, not tourist

The three things you need to attend

Miss any one of these and you don't get through the door, here's the short version.

Free with pre-registration

Pre-register online as an overseas buyer and collect your badge with your passport and a business card.

Official & essential

The official invitation letter supports your visa application; registration and processing costs around it are normal. We cover it in full in the invitation-letter guide.

Required for overseas buyers

You apply at a Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country, a tourist visa is not valid for trade activity.

How to attend the Canton Fair, step by step

A clear sequence, HCSG keeps the badge, invitation, visa and travel aligned so nothing slips.

Pre-register as a buyer

Get your invitation letter

Obtain the official, free invitation letter that supports your visa application.

Apply for the M visa

Apply for the China business (M) visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate that serves your country.

Pick the right phase

Match your travel dates to the phase that covers your product category, so you don't arrive in the wrong week.

Canton Fair 2026 phases & product categories

The next edition is the 140th (autumn 2026). Dates updated June 2026; the following spring 2027 session runs each year with dates confirmed closer to the time.

Phase	Dates (2026)	Main product categories
Phase 1	15 to 19 October	Electronics & appliances, machinery, vehicles, lighting & electrical, hardware, international pavilion
Phase 2	23 to 27 October	Houseware, gifts & decorations, building & furniture, international pavilion
Phase 3	31 October-4 November	Toys, fashion, home textiles, stationery, health & recreation, food, international pavilion

Coming from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana or beyond?

African importers are a fast-growing share of the fair. A few realities worth planning around, we handle the detail for your route.

Plan the connection

There are no direct flights from most West-African hubs, buyers from Lagos or Accra typically connect via Doha or Addis Ababa, while Nairobi has a direct option. We help you time travel to your phase.

Embassy rules vary

The M-visa process and documents differ by country and consulate. We tell you exactly what your embassy, whether in Abuja, Nairobi or Accra, expects, so nothing is missed.

Interpreters book out

Most exhibitors negotiate in Chinese, and good interpreters are booked early. We arrange interpreting, matchmaking and booth support so your days are productive.

How HCSG handles this for you

Your Canton Fair access, handled end to end, so you arrive ready to do business, not paperwork.

Invitation & registration

We arrange your official invitation letter and buyer registration, correctly and on time.

Visa support

We prepare your business-visa documentation and tell you exactly what your embassy expects.

Buyer to seller matchmaking

We line up vetted suppliers for your product category so your meetings are worth the trip.

Interpreter & booth support

We provide interpreting and on-the-ground support so language and logistics never cost you a deal.

Logistics coordination

From travel timing to moving what you buy, we coordinate the practical side around your phase.

The outcome: you walk the right phase, meet the right suppliers, and leave with orders, while we carry the invitation, visa, language and logistics.

Specific, net-new answers, not a repeat of the guide above.

How to Attend the Canton Fair, A 2026 Guide for Overseas Buyers