If you are researching Chinese suppliers, at some point you will come across the name Canton Fair. And with good reason: it is the largest and oldest international trade fair in the world, held for more than 60 years in the city of Guangzhou, in southern China. For Brazilian importers, attending the Canton Fair can be the step that turns an online search into a solid, reliable supply chain.
In this guide you will understand what the fair is, how its 2026 editions work, how a Brazilian buyer can attend, and why going with someone who knows the ground makes all the difference.
Next edition, 140th Canton Fair (October and November 2026): Phase 1: 15 to 19 October · Phase 2: 23 to 27 October · Phase 3: 31 October to 4 November. The April 2026 edition has already closed, so October is the next and last opportunity of the year to visit the fair.
What the Canton Fair is
The Canton Fair (official name: China Import and Export Fair) takes place in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, twice a year: in April and May, and in October and November.
It has been organised by the Chinese government since 1957 and, over the decades, has become the main meeting point between Chinese manufacturers and buyers from all over the world. In recent editions the fair has brought together more than 25,000 exhibitors and 180,000 international buyers from over 220 countries.
It is not a fair for one specific sector: it is a fair for everything. Electronics, textiles, furniture, industrial equipment, food, chemicals, building materials, toys, cosmetics. If it is manufactured in China, it probably has an exhibitor at the Canton Fair.
How the Canton Fair is divided: the 3 phases
The fair does not all happen at once. It is divided into 3 thematic phases, each lasting 5 days, with a 2 day gap between them. That means a complete visit can take up to 17 days, but most buyers choose only the phase relevant to their sector.
01 Phase 1: Electronics, Machinery and Vehicles
Covers consumer electronics, home appliances, lighting, vehicles, industrial machinery and energy equipment. Ideal for those importing tools, electronics or industrial solutions. See the detailed Phase 1 guide →
02 Phase 2: Home, Decoration and Construction
Includes household products, decoration, gifts, building materials and chemicals. Ideal for household goods retail, construction, decoration and importers of chemical inputs. See the detailed Phase 2 guide →
03 Phase 3: Textiles, Food and Health
Concentrates textiles, apparel, footwear, accessories, food and medical products. Ideal for fashion, footwear, food and the health sector. See the detailed Phase 3 guide →
Practical tip: find out which phase your product falls into before planning the trip. That avoids unnecessary travel and makes sure you are there at the right moment.
Canton Fair 2026 dates
The Canton Fair has two editions a year. The April 2026 one has already closed, so the next is the October 2026 edition, the 140th, divided into three phases:
| Edition | Phase | Period |
|---|---|---|
| 139th edition (Spring) |
Phase 1 | 15 to 19 April 2026 |
| Phase 2 | 23 to 27 April 2026 | |
| Phase 3 | 1 to 5 May 2026 | |
| 140th edition (Autumn) |
Phase 1 | 15 to 19 October 2026 |
| Phase 2 | 23 to 27 October 2026 | |
| Phase 3 | 31 October to 4 November 2026 |
Please note: dates are subject to official confirmation by the organising committee. It is advisable to check the official fair website close to the date of each edition.
How to register for the Canton Fair
Accreditation for international buyers is free and done through the official fair website. The process is simple:
- Go to the registration portal for foreign buyers
- Fill in your company details (tax ID, address, sector)
- Upload an identity document or passport
- Wait for the confirmation e-mail with the access QR code
- At the fair entrance the QR code is scanned and you receive your badge
The badge gives access to all phases of the edition you registered for. Accreditation can be done up to 3 months before the start date.
What to expect when you arrive at the Canton Fair
The Canton Fair complex (the Pazhou Complex) is the largest convention centre in the world, with more than 1.1 million m² split across three interconnected zones. For a sense of scale: it is bigger than 150 football pitches.
In practice, that means:
- You can easily spend a whole day in a single hall
- Without planning ahead, it is easy to get lost and waste precious time
- Communication in the aisles is mostly in Mandarin and basic English
- Negotiating directly with manufacturers requires confidence in the language or an interpreter present
- Prices and terms are not on display: everything is negotiated on the spot, and whoever knows the context has the advantage
For experienced buyers with good English and knowledge of the market, navigating the fair independently is viable. For anyone going for the first time, or wanting to make the most of every hour there, specialist support changes the outcome substantially.
What to do before you arrive: planning is everything
01 Set your goal before you fly
- Are you looking for new suppliers or assessing suppliers you already know remotely?
- Do you want to compare prices for a specific product or explore trends in a sector?
- Do you intend to close orders at the fair, or are you only prospecting to decide later?
Each goal calls for a different strategy for using your time.
02 Research the exhibitors in advance
The Canton Fair portal lets you search exhibitors by product, sector and keyword before the fair starts. Build a list of the companies you want to visit and organise it by hall: that stops you wandering the complex aimlessly.
03 Paperwork: visa or exemption
Good news for anyone attending: since June 2025, Brazilian citizens enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, including tourism, business and trade fairs. Since the Canton Fair lasts only a few days, the exemption covers the trip comfortably. All you need is a passport valid for at least 6 months. A visa is only required for stays longer than 30 days or for other purposes such as work or study. See the complete guide to visas and the exemption for China.
Please note: the visa exemption is a policy subject to change. Confirm the rules in force with official sources (the Chinese consulate) before travelling.
To go deeper into planning the trip, it is worth reading our 10 day itinerary in China for importers, understanding how much a business trip to China costs and deciding between Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Yiwu according to your sector. And to see what the experience is like in practice, read the account of a trip to China with a specialist guide. To attend with BCVN, see the guided business mission to the October 2026 Canton Fair.
04 Book accommodation well in advance
Guangzhou fills up during the Canton Fair. Hotels near the Pazhou Complex sell out months ahead, especially the mid and upper range ones. Book at least 60 days in advance.
Why go with a specialist guide
Imagine arriving at a complex the size of a city, without speaking the local language, without knowing which suppliers are worth your time, with no reference for a fair price for your product, and with only 5 days to get the most out of the experience.
That is the situation for anyone attending the Canton Fair for the first time without specialist support. Here is the difference a guide experienced in the fairs makes in practice:
Before the trip
- Pre-selection of the most relevant suppliers for your sector and product
- A schedule of confirmed meetings before you fly
- Guidance on visas, accommodation, currency and local logistics
During the fair
- Mandarin interpreting in the negotiations: suppliers speak more openly when they see the buyer has local support
- Telling apart suppliers that actually manufacture from middlemen who resell
- Cultural context in negotiations: what to ask for, what not to ask for, how to run the process without damaging the relationship
- Day to day logistical support: transport, meals, local communication
After the fair
- Consolidation of the contacts and quotes obtained
- Support during the negotiation and contracting stage with the selected suppliers
- Follow-up through to product inspection and shipment
BCVN has attended Canton Fair editions for 18 consecutive years. Our bilingual team, fluent in Mandarin, Portuguese and English, has taken hundreds of Brazilian business owners to the fair and knows the complex, the suppliers and the negotiating dynamics inside out.
Canton Fair or Yiwu Trade Fair: which to choose?
Many importers hesitate between the two. The answer depends on what you are looking for:
| Canton Fair | Yiwu Trade Fair | |
|---|---|---|
| Exhibitor profile | Direct manufacturers | A mix of manufacturers and wholesalers |
| Focus | Broad, every sector | Consumer goods, household items, fashion, gifts |
| Minimum order | Generally higher | Generally lower, accepts smaller orders |
| Best for | Industry, large volumes, new suppliers | Retail, e-commerce, first orders |
| Frequency | Twice a year | Once a year (October) |
For many Brazilian importers the ideal itinerary combines both fairs in a single trip: they are different cities, but relatively close and with direct flights between them.
How BCVN can organise your trip to the Canton Fair
BCVN offers a complete guided business travel service to China, which includes:
- Pre-selection of suppliers matched to your product and sector, from our network of more than 2,000 qualified partners
- A schedule of confirmed meetings for the fair days
- A dedicated bilingual guide throughout the visit: Mandarin, Portuguese and English
- Full logistical support: transfers, accommodation guidance, day to day assistance
- Post-fair support: negotiation, samples and follow-up through to closing the order
Places per edition are limited so that each client gets individual attention. Get in touch to find out the dates and terms of the next guided trip:
Frequently asked questions about the Canton Fair
How much does it cost to attend the Canton Fair?
Accreditation as an international buyer is free. The main costs of the trip are the flight, accommodation, food and local transport, plus the specialist guide service, contracted separately. The total varies with the length of stay, the city and the standard of travel chosen. Talk to BCVN on WhatsApp for a tailored quote.
Do I need to speak English or Mandarin to attend the Canton Fair?
Basic English is enough to communicate with most exhibitors. However, in negotiations over commercial terms, Mandarin opens doors that English does not: suppliers become more transparent about real prices, production capacity and flexibility when they see that the buyer has local support.
Can you close orders inside the Canton Fair?
Yes, but most experienced buyers use the fair to prospect, collect samples and start negotiations, then close the orders in the following weeks, after analysing the samples and doing due diligence on the selected suppliers.
Which is the better time to attend the Canton Fair: the April or the October edition?
It depends on your sector and your calendar. The April edition tends to be slightly less crowded. The October one coincides with the Yiwu Trade Fair, which allows you to combine the two in a single trip. Consult a specialist to choose the right moment for your business.
Does the Canton Fair have an online version?
Yes, there is a permanent virtual platform with registered exhibitors. But the in-person experience is incomparable: you see the product, test the quality, negotiate face to face and build the commercial relationship far more effectively.
What is the best way to reach Guangzhou from Brazil?
The main flights leave São Paulo (GRU) with a connection in Dubai, Doha, Frankfurt or Hong Kong. Total travel time is 20 to 28 hours depending on the connection. Guangzhou has its own international airport (CAN), Baiyun International Airport, well connected to the city centre and to the Pazhou Complex.
BCVN — Brasil China Viagens e Negócios has connected Brazilian companies to the best suppliers in China and Asia since 2008. Discover our guided business travel, quality inspection and commercial intermediation services.
Trade fair products in the China Showcase
Real finds from the fairs this guide covers, with the cost and resale logic of each one. See more in the China Showcase.
