Today, Canton Fair 2026 — the 140th China Import and Export Fair — opens its doors in Guangzhou.This year marks the 70th anniversary of the event, which first launched in 1957 with just 9,600 square meters of exhibition space. Today, it spans 1.55 million square meters — over 160 times larger — and expects more than 30,000 exhibiting companies across three phases from October 15 to November 4, 2026.
For overseas buyers sourcing products from China, the Canton Fair is the most important sourcing event of the year. In just a few days, you can meet hundreds of factories in your product category, compare prices side by side, inspect physical samples, and negotiate on the spot — far more efficient than cold-emailing suppliers one by one.If you are still learning how to source products from China, the Canton Fair is the fastest way to meet dozens of suppliers in person.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Canton Fair 2026: the schedule, what is new this year, and how to make the most of your visit.
Three Phases, Three Product Categories: When Should You Go?
The Canton Fair runs in three phases, each five days long, with a few days in between for teardown and setup. Different product categories are grouped into different phases, so confirm where your products fall before booking flights.
Phase 1: October 15–19 — Advanced Manufacturing
- Home appliances, consumer electronics, and IT products
- Industrial automation and intelligent manufacturing
- Processing machinery, power equipment, and general machinery
- Engineering machinery and agricultural machinery
- New energy vehicles, vehicles, and auto parts
- Lighting products, electrical products, and new energy
- Hardware, tools, and service robots
Go to Phase 1 if you source electronics, machinery, hardware, tools, or new energy products.
Phase 2: October 23–27 — Quality Home Life
- Home products, kitchenware, and furniture
- Home decorations, gifts, and premiums
- Toys, clocks, watches, and glasses
- Ceramics and sanitary ware
- Garden products and outdoor leisure items
Go to Phase 2 if you source home goods, gifts, decorations, or outdoor products.
Phase 3: October 31–November 4 — Better Life
- Textiles, garments, and footwear
- Office supplies, stationery, and bags
- Pharmaceuticals, health products, and medical devices
- Food and native products
- Pet supplies
- Personal care products
Go to Phase 3 if you source apparel, stationery, food, pet products, or personal care items.
Book flights and hotels at least two months in advance. During the Canton Fair, hotel prices in Guangzhou double and rooms sell out quickly.
What Is New at Canton Fair 2026?
As the 70th anniversary edition, this year’s fair introduces several highlights worth your attention:
Record-high share of new and green products New products account for 23.2% of all exhibits, and green products for 26% — both all-time highs. There are over 700 new product launch events, with the number of debut products up 15% from the previous session. If you are looking for differentiated, innovative products, the Canton Fair is where many factories choose to unveil items that are not yet listed online.
Expanded service robot zone First introduced at the 137th session, the service robot zone continues to grow this year. You can see humanoid robots, robot dogs, cleaning robots, and delivery robots in action. If intelligent products are part of your sourcing plan, this zone is worth a dedicated visit.
First-ever China Time-Honored Brands zone This edition features a dedicated zone for traditional Chinese heritage brands for the first time. If you are interested in culturally rooted products — traditional crafts, foods, teas, and heritage goods — check this area out.
Physical-plus-digital display format More factories are combining physical samples with digital presentations — 3D models, VR demos, and online showrooms. Product details that are hard to demonstrate in person are now supplemented by digital displays, giving you a fuller picture of what each factory can do.
How to Make the Most of Your Five Days
With over 10,000 exhibitors in a single phase, you cannot see everything in five days. Plan ahead to use your time efficiently.
Before the fair:
- Register for a free buyer badge on the official Canton Fair website in advance — on-site registration means long queues.
- Download the Canton Fair app, search for your product category in advance, and bookmark the booths you want to visit.
- Prepare a one-page requirements document (specifications, quantity, target price) to share with factories on the spot.
- Bring plenty of business cards, or prepare a digital card with your WhatsApp and WeChat QR codes.
- Wear comfortable shoes — walking 20,000 steps a day is normal.
During the fair:
- Do not step into every booth. Scan the aisle first, and only enter the ones that genuinely catch your eye.
- Focus on new and exclusive products — these are what you cannot find by browsing Alibaba at home.
- Ask about MOQ, lead time, and payment terms upfront, and take notes immediately.
- Collect catalogs and quote sheets for later comparison.
- If a factory looks strong, schedule a post-fair factory visit right there. Factories have staff on hand during the fair, and post-fair visits are easy to arrange.
After the fair:
- Organize business cards and quotes the same evening — strike while the iron is hot.
- For shortlisted factories, arrange an on-site audit.
- Do not place orders at the fair itself. Compare everything back at your desk and decide with a clear head.
More on trade fairs
- Canton Fair sourcing guide — registration, phase-by-phase sourcing and what to do after
- Hong Kong trade fairs 2026 — the 2026 fair calendar and how to pair it with factory visits
- Singles Day sourcing impact — how Double 11 pulls factory capacity forward
Also worth reading: Shipping from China — costs, transit times and the fees nobody quotes.
How We Can Help During the Canton Fair
The biggest challenges for overseas buyers at the Canton Fair are: too many factories to evaluate in too little time, and no way to verify whether a booth represents a real factory or a trading company.
Based in the Delta del Río de la Perla, we can support you in three ways:
Pre-fair factory screening Before you arrive, we visit your shortlisted factories in person, shoot videos, and deliver a report. You then walk into the Canton Fair already knowing which factories are worth your time — no wasted hours on suppliers that do not measure up.
On-site fair accompaniment If you need translation and negotiation support, we can accompany you through the fair, communicate with factories on your behalf, and assess their professionalism in real time.
Post-fair follow-through After the fair ends, we help you follow up on quotes, arrange factory audits, and oversee sampling and mass production — making sure the terms you agreed on at the booth actually get delivered.
Many of our clients follow this routine: tell us what products they are looking for, we pre-screen a shortlist of reliable factories, they fly in for the Canton Fair to negotiate deeply with those factories, and we arrange on-site visits afterward. One trip covers screening, auditing, and negotiation all at once.
Preguntas frecuentes
Q: Is there an entrance fee for the Canton Fair?
A: Overseas buyers can register for a free buyer badge on the official website and enter with their passport. Domestic buyers need to pay for a badge.
Q: Are all exhibitors at the Canton Fair real factories?
A: Most are genuine factories, but trading companies also exhibit. The same screening rules apply online: check whether the booth focuses on a single product category, ask technical questions, and request a post-fair factory visit. Real factories happily welcome you; trading companies tend to make excuses.
Q: Are prices lower at the Canton Fair than usual?
A: Not necessarily. Factories typically quote their standard prices at the fair, but because you can compare dozens of suppliers side by side, you naturally end up with more competitive offers. First-time buyers may also receive a new-customer discount.
Q: How many days should a first-time visitor plan for?
A: At least three days. Day one for scanning and shortlisting, day two for in-depth talks with your top picks, and day three for arranging post-fair factory visits or deeper negotiations.
Q: Is it easy to visit factories during the Canton Fair?
A: Very easy. Most Delta del Río de la Perla factories are in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, or Foshan — a one to two-hour drive from the fairgrounds. Factories have dedicated Reception staff during the fair, so just book in advance.
Final Thoughts
The Canton Fair remains the single best entry point for sourcing from China, but it is not the only channel. If you cannot make the trip, or if you want to arrive with a pre-vetted shortlist, we can do the groundwork for you before you land.
If you are planning your next Canton Fair sourcing trip, or simply want to explore what Delta del Río de la Perla factories can offer, reach out to us. Tell us what products you need, and we will help you from the very first step.
If you would like to understand how we work and what our services cover, ask us for a free consultation and we will explain how we can support your sourcing journey.