Trade fair sourcing · Guangzhou / International buyers
Visiting the Canton Fair: Plan Your Visit and Follow-Up
140th Canton Fair · Autumn 2026
A productive Canton Fair visit starts with the right phase, a prepared Buyer Badge and a clear route to the products you need. Record each supplier’s contact details beside the products you discuss, then take the initiative with follow-up. Flying to China takes time and money; a little preparation helps turn a busy exhibition day into clear sourcing decisions.
Autumn 2026 timing: This guide was published on 21 October 2026. Phase 1, which includes the Auto Parts exhibition category, ended on 19 October. Phase 2 runs 23–27 October and Phase 3 runs 31 October–4 November. Confirm the specific exhibitor and product category before planning a visit.
1. Choose the right phase before booking
Check the dates and product categories separately
The fair runs in three phases with different product categories. The following is a selection of categories, not the complete exhibition list.
| Autumn 2026 phase | Dates | Selected categories |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 15–19 October | Manufacturing, vehicles, auto parts and related categories |
| Phase 2 | 23–27 October | Household products, gifts, decorations and furniture |
| Phase 3 | 31 October–4 November | Textiles, clothing, health and leisure products, among others |
Dates and categories: official Canton Fair exhibition information, checked 21 October 2026.
Confirm each shortlisted supplier’s attendance
Check your specific products against the official category list. Then confirm each shortlisted supplier’s phase and full booth number. Do not assume every product you need will be available during the same visit.
2. Register before travelling
We recommend completing buyer registration and the relevant badge application 1–2 weeks before your visit, allowing time to correct missing information. This is a preparation recommendation, not an official processing time or deadline.
Use the official Buyer Service System. Check document requirements, save your registration receipt or QR code, and confirm where and when you can collect your badge. Returning buyers should check whether their existing badge remains valid. Accompanying colleagues or interpreters may need separate arrangements.
Current registration information: official buyer guide, checked 21 October 2026.
3. Leave time for entry
Official exhibition business hours are 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m., China time, on exhibition days. These are exhibition hours; check badge-office hours separately in the official guidance.
Keep your Buyer Badge and registration identity document ready. For your first visit, leave a 30–60-minute buffer before your first meeting for entry procedures and finding the booth. This is a planning allowance, not a predicted queue time; busy periods may require longer. No official average queue time is given in the sources checked for this guide.
4. Plan lunch as part of your route
Locate dining facilities near your target halls before setting your meeting schedule. Consider eating before noon or after 1:30 p.m. to avoid the main lunch period.
If you have allergies, halal requirements or other dietary needs, check suitable options in advance. Leave yourself time to eat, drink water and review your notes. These are itinerary suggestions, not guarantees about restaurant availability or waiting times.
5. Find the exact hall—not just the product category
- Search the official Canton Fair website or app using specific product keywords.
- Select the current session and phase where those filters are available, then open the exhibitor’s listing and record its full booth number.
- Use the official exhibition floor map, selecting the phase you will attend, to identify the area, hall and floor.
- Ask shortlisted suppliers to send their booth location and a map screenshot before your visit. Group appointments in nearby halls.
For automotive accessories, start with the specific product and its verified exhibitor listing. A broad automotive keyword is not enough to establish the correct hall for every accessory.
6. Connect the business card to the product
The company represented by a salesperson may differ from the name displayed above the booth. Ask which company will issue the quotation and handle the order, and clarify the relationship where names differ.
Request the salesperson’s business card. With permission, photograph it beside the product you are interested in, then take a separate photo of the booth number. Add the model, specifications and discussion notes before moving on.
7. Take the initiative after the meeting
Some suppliers collect enquiries centrally and have a manager assign them to salespeople later. Your enquiry may not reach the right person immediately, and a busy salesperson may miss important details. This is a possible workflow, not a statement about every exhibitor.
Send your own follow-up that evening or within 48 hours. Attach the product photo and briefly confirm what you discussed, what information you need, and the next step.
You have travelled a long way to find suitable suppliers. Taking the initiative helps keep the conversation moving.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I register for the Canton Fair?
We recommend completing the relevant registration and badge application 1–2 weeks before your visit, allowing time to correct missing information. This is a preparation recommendation, not an official processing time or deadline. Follow the current requirements in the official Buyer Service System.
What are the daily Canton Fair exhibition hours?
The official autumn 2026 exhibition business hours are 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m., China time, on exhibition days. Check the current official schedule before travelling.
How long should I allow for entry queues?
No official average queue time is given in the sources checked for this guide. Allow a 30–60-minute buffer before your first meeting for entry procedures and finding the booth. This is a planning allowance, not a queue-time prediction; busy periods may require longer.
How can I match a supplier’s business card to a product after the fair?
With permission, photograph the business card beside the product you are interested in and take a separate photo of the booth number. Record the product reference and discussion notes, then send your own follow-up that evening or within 48 hours.
Related sourcing pages: Car floor mat range · Prepare a sourcing brief
Discuss your automotive accessory requirements
Looking for automotive accessories? Contact Miya at Sinomat: miya@sinomat.com. Include the product photo or reference, target specifications and estimated quantity, or use our inquiry form.
Official information checked 21 October 2026. Preparation timings, lunch planning and follow-up intervals are Sinomat’s practical recommendations. Check official updates before travelling.