Phase 1 of the Canton Fair is the most technological and industrially dense of the three. Held over the first five days of each edition, it occupies dozens of halls in the Pazhou Complex and brings together manufacturers from the fastest growing segments of Chinese exports: consumer electronics, home appliances, LED lighting, industrial machinery, tools, electric vehicles and solar energy.
For Brazilian companies in the industrial, technology, retail and energy sectors, Phase 1 offers a volume of opportunity that is hard to find concentrated anywhere else in the world. The challenge is knowing how to navigate it.
What Phase 1 of the Canton Fair is
Each phase of the Canton Fair is organised by category affinity, and Phase 1 gathers the sectors of greatest technical complexity. The main product groups are:
| Category | Product examples | Buyer profile |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer electronics | Smartphones, headphones, smartwatches, cameras, drones | Retail, e-commerce, distributors |
| Home appliances | Air conditioning, fridges, washing machines, cookers | Retail, developers, hospitality |
| Lighting | Industrial LED, panels, luminaires, smart lighting | Construction, retail, project work |
| Industrial machinery | Textile, food, printing and CNC machinery | Industry, processing, agribusiness |
| Tools and hardware | Power tools, hand tools, fasteners, pneumatic tools | Construction, industry, specialist retail |
| Vehicles and parts | Electric motorbikes, scooters, auto parts, forklifts | Distributors, fleets, logistics |
| Energy and environment | Solar panels, inverters, batteries, storage systems | Solar installers, developers, agribusiness |
Consumer electronics
China produces an enormous share of the consumer electronics sold worldwide, and the Canton Fair is where the manufacturers, many of them OEMs producing for global brands, show their lines to international buyers.
Products of greatest interest for the Brazilian market
- Earbuds and headsets (TWS): one of the most imported products by Brazilian e-commerce sellers. China controls the whole chain, from chips to final assembly. At the Canton Fair you can find everything from entry level manufacturers to premium brands with international certification
- Smartwatches and fitness bands: a fast growing market in Brazil. Manufacturers from Shenzhen and Dongguan show models with AMOLED screens, NFC and health monitoring at prices that are hard to match
- IP security cameras and CCTV systems: high demand from Brazilian installers and resellers. Mind the certifications required to sell (ANATEL)
- Recreational and professional drones: an expanding sector in Brazil, especially for agricultural and construction surveying. ANAC regulations must be checked before importing
- Chargers, power banks and accessories: very high volume, competitive margins, broad audience. Mind the compulsory INMETRO certification
- White label tablets and e-readers: Chinese manufacturers offer products with brand customisation (OEM/ODM) for Brazilian distributors
INMETRO warning: practically every consumer electronics product requires INMETRO certification to be sold in Brazil. Before closing any order, confirm with the supplier whether the product already holds Brazilian certification or whether certified models are available. Importing without certification carries a high risk of the cargo being held at customs.
Home appliances
China is the world’s largest producer of home appliances, and many of the brands you know in Brazil are manufactured wholly or partly on Chinese soil. At the Canton Fair you can reach those manufacturers directly.
What you will find
- Air conditioning (split and portable): manufacturers such as Midea, Gree and TCL have a strong presence. There are also dozens of smaller manufacturers with products certified by INMETRO for the Brazilian market
- Small appliances: air fryers, blenders, coffee machines, electric juicers, mixers, a segment with very fast turnover in Brazilian retail
- Vacuum cleaners and cleaning robots: a rapidly growing market, with entry level models at very competitive prices
- Air purifiers and humidifiers: since the pandemic, demand for these products in Brazil has grown significantly
Practical tip: for appliances destined for the Brazilian market, confirm the product voltage (110V/220V or dual voltage) before any order. It is a basic detail that generates returns and complaints when ignored.
LED lighting
China produces more than 70% of all LED lighting in the world. The Canton Fair concentrates manufacturers of every size, from companies with full international certifications (CE, UL, ENEC) to smaller factories with entry level products.
The segments most relevant to Brazil
- Street lighting (poles, street lights): strong demand from municipalities and utilities replacing conventional luminaires with LED
- Industrial lighting (high bay, T8 tubes, ceiling panels): factories and logistics warehouses are big buyers. A fast payback favours importing directly
- Decorative lighting (LED strips, neon flex, RGB tape): high demand in retail, events and hospitality
- Smart lighting: app controlled luminaires, compatible with Alexa and Google Home, a growing segment in Brazil
- Special projects (stadiums, façades, stage design): manufacturers at the Canton Fair accept custom projects with detailed technical specifications
Industrial machinery
This is the highest unit value segment of Phase 1 and also the one that demands the most preparation before visiting. Production machinery is not bought on impulse, nor without rigorous technical checks.
The sectors of greatest interest to Brazilian importers
- Textile and garment sector: industrial sewing machines, CNC embroidery machines, automatic cutters, digital printing systems. Manufacturers in Guangdong and Zhejiang have decades of experience exporting to Brazil
- Food sector: machines for packaging, filling, vacuum sealing, grain processing, biscuit and pasta lines. Highly standardised, with models that already meet Brazilian sanitary standards
- Printing sector: UV printers, plotters, laser cutters, binding equipment. China dominates the value for money in this segment
- Metalwork and plastics: plastic injection machines, hydraulic presses, CNC lathes, machining centres. Manufacturers in Guangdong and Jiangsu with a good international reputation
- Construction: concrete mixers, compactors, small cranes, shotcrete machines
For industrial equipment, an in-person visit or audit of the factory before the order is not optional: it is essential. Machines have technical specifics, safety standards and production capacity that only a physical inspection confirms. BCVN carries out technical factory audits with specialist engineers.
Tools and hardware
China is the world’s largest exporter of hand and power tools. Phase 1 of the Canton Fair has an entire area devoted to this segment, with exhibitors of every size.
- Power tools (drills, screwdrivers, saws, sanders): brands such as Makita, Bosch and DeWalt manufacture partly or wholly in China. At the fair you can find OEM manufacturers with comparable quality at very competitive prices
- Pneumatic tools: spray guns, impact wrenches, portable compressors, widely used in workshops and assembly plants
- Hand tools (spanners, pliers, hammers, levels): a high volume segment with an attractive margin for Brazilian hardware and construction retail
- Hardware and fasteners (screws, wall plugs, hinges, handles): enormous variety, standardised products with international certification available
Vehicles, electric motorbikes and auto parts
One of the fastest growing segments in Phase 1. The global energy transition has made China the biggest power in electric vehicles, and the Canton Fair is where that production meets international buyers.
New energy vehicles (NEV)
- Electric motorbikes and scooters: a rapidly expanding market in Brazil, especially for delivery riders and urban mobility. Factory prices allow robust margins for distributors. Requires DENATRAN approval and INMETRO certification
- Electric cargo tricycles: widely used in last mile logistics, urban collection and operations in residential complexes and industrial plants
- Electric forklifts: high demand from distribution centres and factories in Brazil. Purchase and maintenance costs are very competitive compared with European brands
- Golf carts and electric utility vehicles: for residential complexes, hotels, resorts, airports and industrial plants
- Electric bicycles (e-bikes): a growing market in Brazil, with tax incentives in some states. A wide variety of models at the fair
Auto parts and accessories
China is the world’s largest producer of auto parts. At the Canton Fair, distributors and workshops find:
- Replacement parts for popular vehicles (filters, brake pads, belts, shock absorbers)
- Customisation accessories (mats, upholstery, interior LED lighting, reversing cameras)
- Diagnostic tools (OBD scanners, automotive multimeters)
- Workshop equipment (lifts, wheel aligners, wheel balancers)
Please note: safety related auto parts (brakes, suspension, steering) require DENATRAN certification to be sold in Brazil. Check the regulations for your product before closing any order.
Solar energy and storage
China controls more than 80% of the global solar energy production chain, from polysilicon to assembled photovoltaic modules. It is impossible to talk about solar energy in Brazil without talking about Chinese suppliers, and the Canton Fair is the best place in the world to meet them.
A practical example of opportunity in this sector is in our China Showcase: see the find on importing a portable power station from China.
- Photovoltaic modules (solar panels): manufacturers such as LONGi, JA Solar, Trina Solar and Canadian Solar are present at the fair. There are also dozens of second and third tier manufacturers with lower prices and variable quality, which is why inspection is essential
- String inverters and microinverters: brands such as Growatt, Sungrow and Huawei have products certified for Brazil (INMETRO and ANEEL). Certification is compulsory for connecting to the grid
- Storage batteries (LFP/LiPo): a fast growing segment for off-grid and hybrid systems in Brazil, especially in agribusiness and in regions with an unstable grid
- Mounting structures (racks, rails, clamps): an underrated but essential component. The quality of the structure determines the durability of the system
- Cables and MC4 connectors: high volume accessories for solar installers. China offers good quality at a very competitive price
How to prepare for Phase 1
Phase 1 is the most technical of the three. To make good use of it, arriving prepared is essential:
01 Decide your categories in advance
Phase 1 has dozens of halls. Covering everything in 5 days is physically impossible. Choose at most 2 or 3 categories and go deep: it is better to leave with 10 well assessed suppliers than with 50 business cards and no follow-up.
02 Bring your technical specifications ready
For machinery, tools and electronics, having a document with the exact specifications of what you need speeds up the conversation with suppliers and rules out those who cannot meet your requirement at the first contact.
03 Map the compulsory certifications for your product
Before leaving Brazil, research which certifications your product needs in order to be imported and sold legally (INMETRO, ANATEL, DENATRAN, ANEEL). That determines which suppliers you should prioritise at the fair.
04 Plan how you will collect samples
For most Phase 1 products, suppliers can send samples after the fair. For electronics and tools, many exhibitors have samples available at the stand itself. Bring a small empty suitcase or use the postal service available in the complex.
How BCVN supports you in Phase 1
Phase 1 is where the presence of a specialist guide makes the most difference, for practical and technical reasons:
- Supplier pre-selection by category: from our network of more than 2,000 qualified partners, we identify in advance those best suited to your product and technical requirement
- Certification checks during the conversation: our team verifies, in Mandarin, whether the supplier holds or can obtain the certifications required for Brazil
- Technical interpreting in negotiations: machinery and electronics specifications lose precision in basic English. In Mandarin, the technical details stay clear and documented
- Scheduling factory audits: for machinery and higher value equipment, we arrange the technical visit after the fair, while you are still in China
Frequently asked questions about Canton Fair Phase 1
Which consumer electronics do Brazilian companies import most from China?
The highest volume products are: earbuds and headsets, smartwatches and fitness bands, bluetooth speakers, chargers and power banks, IP security cameras and drones for recreational and commercial use.
Do I need INMETRO certification to import electronics from China?
Yes. The vast majority of electronic and electrical products imported from China require INMETRO certification in order to be sold in Brazil. The process must be started before manufacturing, since it involves laboratory testing of the product. Import without that certification and the cargo may be held or destroyed at customs.
Is it worth importing industrial machinery from China to Brazil?
In many cases yes. Machinery for the textile, food, printing, plastics and metalwork sectors offers very favourable value for money when imported from China, especially from manufacturers in Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu. The key is inspecting the machine before shipment and making sure the supplier has a track record of exporting to Brazil.
What are the new energy vehicles (NEV) that appear at the Canton Fair?
NEV (New Energy Vehicles) is the term used in China for electric and hybrid vehicles. Phase 1 of the Canton Fair has a large display of electric motorbikes, scooters, cargo tricycles, golf carts, electric forklifts and electric utility vehicles, a segment that has grown a great deal in recent years and attracts growing interest from Brazilian importers.
How do I assess the quality of a machinery supplier at the Canton Fair?
At the fair itself, ask for detailed technical catalogues, a list of international clients and certifications (CE, ISO). After the fair, before closing any order, commission a factory audit to check production capacity, quality control and the real manufacturing conditions. Never sign a machinery contract without an in-person visit or audit.
Can I import solar panels from China to resell in Brazil?
Yes, and it is one of the fastest growing segments. China controls more than 80% of world solar panel production. To be sold in Brazil, the equipment needs INMETRO certification and must meet ABNT standards. Inverters also require specific certification. BCVN can help identify certified manufacturers and arrange inspection of the production.
BCVN — Brasil China Viagens e Negócios has attended every edition of the Canton Fair for 18 years. Our bilingual team organises guided business trips, factory audits and quality inspections for Brazilian companies.
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.
