What is Canton Fair?
The Canton Fair, officially known as the China Import and Export Fair, is one of China’s largest international trade exhibitions and a significant global business platform, attracting a multitude of buyers and sellers from around the world. It is held twice a year, once in the spring and once in the autumn, with each session divided into three phases, each focusing on different product categories.
Brief History:
The Canton Fair was first held in 1957, initially established to break the trade blockade imposed on China and to earn foreign exchange. Since then, it has become an important window for China’s opening up to the outside world and international trade, witnessing the rapid development of China’s economy and its process of globalization.
Hosting Cycle:
The Canton Fair is held annually in two sessions, each consisting of three phases, typically taking place in April for the spring session and October for the autumn session.
Specific Dates:
For instance, in 2024, the 136th Canton Fair is scheduled as follows:
Phase I: October 15 to 19, 2024
Phase II: October 23 to 27, 2024
Phase III: October 31 to November 4, 2024
Product Categories for Each Phase of the Canton Fair:
Phase I:
New materials, chemical products, construction & agricultural machinery, processing, smart vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, household and consumer electronics, lightning, tools & hardware, industrial automation, spare parts, & others.
Phase II:
Construction & decor, bath & plumbing supplies, seating & storage, cooking & dining, basic pottery, domestic goods, watches, clocks & optical instruments, special occasion gifts, seasonal items, interior accents, fine pottery, artistic glass, outdoor plant care, woven & metal items, stone & metal outdoor features and spa equipment.
Phase III:
Personal care products, office suppliers, sports & casual wear, men & women’s clothing, raw textile materials & fabrics, cases, bags, home textiles, carpets & tapestries, toiletries, sports, travel, and recreational products, medicine, health products & medical devices, kid’s wear, underwear, toys, pet products & food, fashion accessories, rural vitalization, furs, leathers, downs & related products, maternity items, shoes, & others.
P.S. We are toy manufacturer, we will be attending to the 136th Canton Fair, if you are looking for STEM educational toys, we can help.
12 Important Things You Should Know About the Canton Fair
1. Pre-registration and Badge Preparation:
Register in advance on the Canton Fair official website to quickly collect your exhibitor badge on-site. Bring a passport-style photo and a printed copy of your registration information for any potential needs.
2. Practical Apps:
Download and familiarize yourself with apps used in China, every chinese use WeChat for communication, Apple Maps for navigation, and Explore Metro for the Guangzhou subway system. Whatsapp, facebook, google map were blocked.
3. Language Communication:
If English is not your strong suit, consider hiring a professional Chinese-English translator/interpretor to ensure smooth communication with manufacturers and avoid misunderstandings due to language barriers.
4. Team Participation:
Being part of a group or delegation can increase the sense of trust and credibility. But if you are alone, that’s okay.
5. Avoid Sensitive Topics:
Refrain from discussing sensitive topics such as politics, keep business pure.
6. Gift Selection:
When giving gifts to clients or suppliers, avoid giving watches, umbrellas, or anything associated with the number “four,” as these may carry unfortunate implications in Chinese culture.
7. Dress Comfortably:
The Canton Fair exhibition area is vast, so wear comfortable shoes and breathable clothing to cope with long periods of walking and standing.
8. Carry a Trolley:
As you may receive a plethora of materials and samples, carrying a trolley or roller bag can help you transport these items more easily.
9. Business Preparation:
Prepare enough business cards and consider using a secondary email address for follow-up business contacts.
10. Note-Taking:
Bring a notebook to jot down key points from conversations with suppliers, including their names, minimum order quantities, pricing, and other relevant information, and attach received business cards to the relevant pages of the notebook.
11. Route Planning:
Plan your visit route in advance, identify the product categories you need and go direct to the hall. The canton fair exhibition area is so big, if you did not plan your visit sector, it could take you hours by finding the correct target area.
12. Dining Options:
Familiarize yourself with the dining options within the exhibition center to avoid long queues at the food court during peak times, and consider bringing your own snacks or choosing fast-food outlets.
By preparing in these ways, you can participate more effectively in the Canton Fair and make the most of the opportunities presented by this international trade event. Also here is another article that could help you on how to find manufacturers in China.
Hopefully you will reach out good products with good suppliers. Good luck!
