An Ultimate Guide to Attending the Canton Fair in 2024

Estimated reading time: 17 minutes

“The Canton Fair which is also the China Import and Export Fair is a torch to guide international trade and business expansion.” For over sixty years, the giant trade show has been functioning as a door to a diverse range of chances in the giant Chinese market. From the global customer to the retailer, wholesaler, and importer, the Canton Fair is a treasure of opportunities that are just waiting to be discovered.

Why should you mark your calendar for the 135th Canton Fair, which is set for 2024? It is not just an international trade fair; it is an encounter with innovation, an aggregation of diverse goods, and an emporium of lasting relationships. This guide regardless of whether you are an experienced participant or a new entrant considering the opportunities, provides your direction toward the background, highlights, preparation, and occurrence of the Canton Fair. Understand the unduplicated business opportunities and tips that will assist your international business journey to the next level at Canton Fair.”

What is Canton Fair?

The Canton Fair started in 1957 when firstly it was established in Guangzhou, China. The goal of this initiative was to exploit China’s foreign trade by providing a connection between the international buyers and also importers with the Chinese manufacturers and suppliers. While the first fair had only thirteen countries and regions, it was an extremely important beginning for further development. The goal of the Canton fair is to facilitate the international market opening of Chinese manufacturers and enterprises.

Over the years, however, the Canton Fair has become one of the biggest trade fairs in the world, and thus, hosts thousands of exhibitors and also millions of visitors from all over the world. It has worked as a key driver in opening up the Chinese economy by forging many extensive international trade cooperations. Now it has become a symbol of the Chinese pledge of globalization and openness.

When is the 135^th Canton Fair 2024?

The Canton Fair is held biannually in spring and autumn sessions. Each session spans three weeks and is divided into three distinct phases.

The 135th Canton Fair will be held in the spring of 2024 in Guangzhou, China.

Below are the specific dates for this year’s schedule.

Please note these dates. Then you won’t miss the upcoming 135th Canton Fair!

The 135th Canton Fair will be held from Mid-April to Early-May:

• Phase 1: April 15 – 19, 2024
• Phase 2: April 23 – 27, 2024
• Phase 3: May 1 – 5, 2024

The table below shows you the holding times of the three stages of the Canton Fair and the product categories of each stage.

Detailed data source: Canton Fair Exhibit Categories

Where is the Canton Fair in 2024?

The Canton Fair 2024 is held at the China Import and Export Complex, or Canton Fair Complex in short. The venue is located at No. 380, Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou, China (中国广州市海珠区阅江中路380号).

The Canton Fair Complex is approximately 45 km or 28 miles from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. There are several transportation options available to reach the complex.

Tip: Several Transportation Options to Get to the Canton Fair Site

1. How can I go to the Canton Fair by Metro:

• Find the nearest metro line: Determine the metro station closest to your starting point. Because Guangzhou’s subway network is very large, the short distance ensures that you can quickly find the correct subway.
• Go to Xingang East Station or Pazhou Station: If you are on Line 8, you can get off at Pazhou Station, which is next to the Canton Fair Complex. This is one of the most convenient stops to reach the trade fair. Alternatively, you can get off at Xingang East Station on Line 8, which is also close to the Canton Fair Complex.
• Depending on the exhibition hall area you visit, Area A will exit from Xingang East Station, Area B will exit from Pazhou Station, and Area C will exit from Pazhou Exit C.
• Follow the signs: After arriving at Xingang East Station or Pazhou Station, there will be clear signs guiding you to the Canton Fair Complex. During trade fairs, there are usually additional signs and guides to help you.
• Buy a subway card or a one-way ticket: If your plans require frequent subway use, consider buying the Yangcheng Pass, which can also be used on buses. Otherwise, you can buy a one-way ticket. Make sure you have enough balance on your card or enough change to purchase tickets.
• The total trip takes about 1 hour.

2. How can I get to the Canton Fair by taxi:

• It’s possible to take a direct taxi to the event.
• The cost is around CNY 150~160 and takes about 1 hour.

3. How can I get to the Canton Fair by Shuttle Bus:

• Shuttle buses are available but are more time-consuming, requiring around 2 to 2.5 hours.
• Use Shuttle line 10 to New Zhujiang Hotel, then change to bus No. 229 and stop at Pazhou.

How to Register for the Canton Fair in 2024?

Step 1: Obtain a Chinese Visa.

• If you already do not have a Chinese visa, apply for one. You must have an invitation letter from the exhibition organizer to apply for a visa.
• Online application for the invitation letter can be done on the official website of the Canton Fair.

Step 2: Register online

• Visit the official website of the Canton Fair.
• Create an account if you have not yet or log in if you already have an account.
• Fill in the registration form which comprises personal and business information.
• Provide all necessary documents like your passport information and business certificates.

Step 3: Specify schedule details

• Upon registering online, you will receive a confirmation email in response.
• You will have to negotiate this confirmation with a buyer badge at the show’s registration. Visitors will need to display the pass at the entry and throughout the fair.

Step 4: Schedule your visit

• Plan and prepare for the trip which involves booking flights, accommodation, and transportation in Guangzhou.
• Study the floor plan and the list of exhibitors before going to enhance your visit.

Tip: Can anyone attend the Canton Fair?

Not really. Because the Canton Fair is not open to the general public. Individuals who have no professional reason to attend, such as tourists or people not involved in the trade industry. Generally not eligible to participate.

Who can attend the Canton Fair?

• Trade Buyers and Professionals: This event is configured for traders from China and overseas who have import and export connections. This embraces wholesalers, traders, retailers, and agents of companies that want to procure products from China.
• Manufacturers and Suppliers: Participants who search for buyers or trading partners and those who want to demonstrate their products.
• Industry Representatives: Representing different trade associations, chambers of commerce, and other business & industry groups the professionals.
• Service Provider: A firm supplying logistics, transportation, and commercial services helping every import and export operation.

How to Prepare for the Canton Fair 2024?

“Factories May Be Leaving China, but Trade Ties Are Stronger Than They Seem”

by New York Times.

When the 135th Canton Fair is about to arrive, all the preparations should be done to seize the opportunities brought by exhibiting around this event. Preparation should be done ahead ensuring that you have taken time to understand your needed products, researching potential suppliers, scheduling meetings beforehand as well as familiarizing yourself with the show layout.

Remember the classic “preparation is the key to success” applies to the event experience too. With Owlsourcing by your side, you can go ahead and grab this cool chance in international trade with boldness. Please, stay with us and follow the Canton Fair updates.

Five Hotels near Canton Fair Complex

• Shangri-La Guangzhou: 8-minute walk of Canton Fair Complex
• The Westin Pazhou: 0.6km from Canton Fair Complex
• Langham Place Guangzhou: 0.8km from Canton Fair Complex
• InterContinental Guangzhou Exhibition Center: 2.2 km from Canton Fair Complex
• HeeFun Apartment Hotel GZ Poly World Trading Center: 0.8km from Canton Fair Complex

What to bring to the Canton Fair?

Though visiting the 2024 Apr Canton Fair, you should possess some necessary items to help you complete your work without stress. Here are a few recommendations:

• Business cards – Undoubtedly, for networking and partnerships you should be in possession.
• Notebook and pen – for writing down the things you hear while talking to the supplier or in seminars
• Proper shoes – Since the fair is spread out over a large area, walking will be your primary mode of transportation.
• Pocket charger – To make your phone or tablet fully charged any time of the day.
• Translation apps – Although most exhibitors speak English, translation apps can aid in surmounting any language discrepancies.

Prepare your equipment step by step for participating in the Canton Fair

You could be a beginner seller on Amazon or a small enterprise that wishes to retail wholesale stuff from China. You are at the best wholesale place, and you must consider yourself a serious player!

Step 1: Do an eye-over on the Canton Fair distribution index map of all the categories of wholesale.

Make a choice on the destination and prepare your route carefully.

You will regret your time utilized if you stroll around the exhibition blindly being being large event. Never forget about setting up a strategy on the sort of product you are looking for and the top things that you want.

Priority such as: Finding three toy manufacturers with BSCI audit certificates that make the stuffed animal toys The supplier shall provide us the SGS material report as well as the test results certificates from the lab or testing organization in order to make sure the components and materials meet the Europe standard, CLEARANCE, etc.

It is quite a lengthy process having so many attractive products which distract you and result in a waste of time. Instead, you are present here for a purpose. Thus, the main task which has to be fulfilled in the first instance is designing an effective plan.

Step 2: Take a picture of the goods.

You can take a sample photo with permission from the supplier and put the photo number on your smartphone camera before the photo (your smartphone camera usually has the photo number that helps to remember each sample)

Think about the situation; you are looking for 30 similar products. How else would you identify them after you have gone back to your office? A thorough note will give a guiding hand to search the precise information.

Step 3: Put the supplier’s name card in and additional detailed information on your notebook

This is to confirm you can trace all the information you have received at the China Fair after you get back to the office. Details are below.

1. Item Number: It will be easier for you to make an agreement on specifics with the China supplier when they get the true item number.

2. FOB Price and Shipping Port: It is thus necessary to know the point of shipping. The information is important for your reference in the case of consolidation cargo and shipment has been paid for.

3. Product Description: A single product could have multiple descriptions. It is very important so that you can know what product description is supplied by the supplier. You will find this useful in obtaining more resources or information online. It’s the same as a shortcut.

4. Product Dimensions: As a marketer, you will need all the information that you can, so what you can do is list all the information that is deemed necessary, such as the product dimensions on your notebook

Product dimensions are very important since shipping charges on Amazon FBA are much different depending on the dimensions of the packaging and product. Also, you may email the supplier later on to get information with the chance to save your time at the tradeshow.

5. Private Label Solution: What you see at the tradeshow is the initial high-potential product in the wholesale market, but the ultimate goal is to make your product unique. What you have to learn from the supplier is how they can decorate the high-potential product.

For example, if you want an image or words on a ballpoint pen, then you can ask the supplier to show you different printing or engraving options, such as screen printing, pad printing, heat transferring, or Laser engraving. One of the advantages when attending the tradeshow is that you can see samples of the different methods on-site and make your choice about the final product.

6. Product Packaging: Packaging is always one of the top things large retailers consider when they design and prepare to launch new products. Why?

The end-users or consumers are willing to pay for fantastic packaging!

Ask the supplier for their opinions about the different packaging solutions for a specific product. That information is critical when you design the packaging for your star products. You need to know the packaging options for your product and choose one of your favorite styles. For sure, different packaging solutions cost at a different level.

7. Product Packing Information: You can calculate international shipping costs based on accurate packing information for specific products.

Note: Here is an example.

You have ordered 3,000 ballpoint pens. The pens are packed in cartons of 500 pens. The cartons are 50 cm x 50 cm x 40 cm (0.1m³). The gross weight is 16 kg, and the net weight is 15 kg. Therefore, the total size of this ballpoint pen shipment is 6 x 0.1 = 0.6m³. The gross weight is 96 kg, and the net weight is 90 kg. You can then submit these numbers to your shipping agency for a quote. The freight forwarder or the air couriers only can quote the price based on these numbers.

8. Product Materials: You need to know what material was used for the specific product you found at the tradeshow. The content of the product affects the import tax, local compliance regulations, and more. For example, the China to US import tax for a cotton T-shirt is different from that for a polyester T-shirt. The most important thing is that you can touch and feel the different materials and make a decision about which one is the best option for your target market.

9. Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): The supplier will send you the price based on the quantity of the purchase order, so evaluate your PO and check if you can meet the MOQ requested by the supplier. You can certainly negotiate with them if necessary.

10. Production Lead Time and Payment Terms: You will need to know the delivery time for your products and talk with the supplier about the payment terms before issuing a deposit.

Step 4: Make notes about the salesperson you met

You may work with him/her back at your office, and his/her service and attitude may affect the service you receive from the supplier.

Step 5: Always ask for samples before placing an order

Reviewing samples is a critical process. It’s when you can detect the defective points of the product. Ask for examples of the high-potential products before discussing an official PO with the suppliers. It can be an initial sample, pre-production sample (PP Sample), or master sample (final confirmed sample with customized effect). You can check another article about Buying Product Samples from China

Tip: You may not need a separate camera anymore because smartphones all have one today.

With all these above tips, you may already have an idea of how to become a professional buyer.

Some other tips: You also need to consider the local language before deciding to attend. Using English in China is not the best option. You may consider contacting us as your translator. Even after the show we can go to the factory where the product is made. Show you factory production photos and videos.

Read More,

• Import Electronics from China: A Frontier Guide
• Importing Clothing and Textiles from China
• Find China Factory: Top 10 Industrial Clusters Cities and Wholesale Markets in South of China
• How to Buy From China | Buying from China Step by Step
• Amazon FBA Sourcing Agent in China: Ultimate Guide

Summary of Attending the 135th Canton Fair

Understanding each phase before attending the Canton Fair lets you plan your trip to the Trade Show effectively. Stay tuned for more tips on navigating each phase with Owlsourcing! Choose your preferred phase and call us at +86 13816126272 for more help. Any questions? Please email us at [email protected]!