Canton Fair Guide 2026–2027: Phases, Visas, Shipping

Key points

Each session has three phases: machinery and electronics first, home and building goods second, textiles, toys, food and health last.
The 140th session ran 15–19 October, 23–27 October and 31 October–4 November 2026; spring sessions follow the same pattern from mid-April.
UAE nationals have visa-free entry, and Saudi, Omani, Kuwaiti and Bahraini nationals have a 30-day visa-free trial extended to 31 December 2026.
Ask for FOB prices, MOQ, lead time and carton data at the booth, but sign nothing until the supplier is checked.
Orders placed at the autumn fair run into Chinese New Year 2027 (6 February): confirm by early December to ship before the holiday.

What the Canton Fair is and how it is organised

The Canton Fair is China's largest general trade fair, organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the Guangdong government at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Pazhou, Haizhu District, Guangzhou. Metro Line 8 (Xingangdong and Pazhou stations) and Line 11 serve the halls. Over 30,000 companies were expected at the 140th session in autumn 2026. Because each phase shows different product groups, the first decision is which phase to attend, not which hall to visit.

2sessions a year, spring and autumn

3phases per session

5days per phase

30,000+exhibitors expected at the 140th session

Canton Fair phases and dates pattern

Phase	139th session (spring 2026)	140th session (autumn 2026)	Main product groups
Phase 1	15–19 April	15–19 October	Household appliances, consumer electronics, machinery, tools, hardware, lighting, vehicles and spare parts, new energy, industrial automation
Phase 2	23–27 April	23–27 October	Ceramics, kitchenware and tableware, household items, home decoration, festival products, gifts, building and decorative materials, sanitary ware, furniture
Phase 3	1–5 May	31 October–4 November	Toys, baby products, garments and underwear, shoes, bags, home textiles, fabrics, office supplies, food, personal care, medical devices, pet products

Visas and registration for Gulf buyers

Emirati ordinary passport holders have been exempt from a pre-entry visa to China since January 2018.
Stays are short-term, typically up to 30 days per visit; check the current terms before travel.
Register online as a buyer before you fly to save time at the badge desk.

Pre-registration for overseas buyers is open all year on the official Canton Fair website.
New overseas buyers can collect a badge free of charge at registration offices such as Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou South Railway Station, Pazhou Ferry Terminal and designated hotels.
Bring your passport and business cards; your badge is reused at later sessions.
Ignore unofficial sites that charge for 'badge registration' or sell visitor data.

How to negotiate at the Canton Fair

A booth conversation is the start of a negotiation, not the end. Exhibitors meet hundreds of buyers a day, and the first price quoted is usually for a sample-size order. Use the booth to compare suppliers on the same specification, then negotiate seriously by email or in the factory after the fair, when you know who is a real manufacturer and what a full container costs.

Ask every supplier for the same thing: FOB price at a named port (for example Nansha or Shenzhen), MOQ, lead time, payment terms and sample cost.
Collect carton size, units per carton and gross weight so you can compare landed cost, not just unit price.
Say your annual volume and target market; Gulf buyers often get better terms by committing to repeat orders.
Ask which certificates the product already has for your market, such as conformity certificates or test reports.
Photograph the booth, products and price list, and note the company's full Chinese name for the supplier check.
Typical terms are 30% deposit and 70% before shipment; push for the balance to be paid after a passed pre-shipment inspection.

Tap a card to flip it

After the fair: from booth deal to delivered container

Follow up within a weekEmail each shortlisted supplier your specification, quantities and target port so quotes are comparable.
Check the supplierConfirm the business licence and Unified Social Credit Code on the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System, and whether it is a factory or a trader.
Approve samplesOrder samples by courier and keep one sealed 'golden sample' as the reference for inspection.
Sign the PIState FOB port, AQL levels, packing and labels, lead time and the payment schedule.
Pay the depositPay only to the company account in the same name as the contract; confirm any bank change by phone.
Inspect before the balanceBook a pre-shipment inspection when at least 80% is packed; pay the balance after it passes.
Pickup and consolidationOur truck collects to our Guangzhou warehouse, where cartons are counted, photographed and loaded with your other orders.
Export and sailingThe export declaration is filed, often at Nansha, and the container sails via Singapore towards the Gulf.
Arrival and clearanceAs of November 2026 cargo for Dubai lands at Khor Fakkan and moves under bond to Jebel Ali; we clear it and settle 5% duty and 5% VAT at cost.

SeaRoad

DestinationDuty rate %Goods value (USD)Freight and insurance (USD)Units

CIF value–

Duty–

VAT–

Duty and VAT–

Landed cost–

Cost per unit–

Most goods from China pay 5% GCC duty on CIF, once, at the first GCC entry. VAT is on CIF + duty. Estimate only.

Canton Fair checklist for Gulf buyers

Before and during the fair

0/8

Pick the phase that matches your products and book hotels early.
Check your visa or visa-free status for your passport and travel dates.
Pre-register online and plan where to collect your badge.
Prepare a one-page specification sheet per product to hand to suppliers.
Bring business cards and a shipping mark you will use for all orders.
Record FOB port, MOQ, lead time, carton data and certificates for every quote.
Shortlist no more than three suppliers per product for follow-up.
Plan production around Chinese New Year 2027 (6 February) and the Gulf Ramadan period.

Are you ready for the Canton Fair?

You import furniture and bathroom fittings. Which phase should you attend?

A supplier offers EXW or FOB Nansha. Which is usually safer for a Gulf buyer?

When should you pay the 70% balance?

Frequently asked questions

When is the Canton Fair in 2027?

The spring session normally runs from mid-April to early May and the autumn session from mid-October to early November, in three phases. Official 2027 dates are confirmed by the organiser; check the official site before booking.

What are the Canton Fair phases?

Phase 1 covers electronics, appliances, machinery, tools, hardware and vehicles; Phase 2 home goods, gifts, building materials and furniture; Phase 3 textiles, garments, toys, bags, food, office and health products.

Do UAE citizens need a visa for the Canton Fair?

No. Emirati ordinary passport holders have been exempt from a pre-entry visa to China since 2018 for short visits. Expatriate residents follow the rule for their own passport.

Do Saudi, Omani, Kuwaiti or Bahraini citizens need a visa for China?

Not for stays of up to 30 days under China's visa-free trial, which was extended to 31 December 2026. Check whether it has been extended for later trips.

Is the Canton Fair free for buyers?

Yes, registration and the badge are free for new overseas buyers through the official channels. Be careful with third-party sites that charge for registration.

Can I buy small quantities at the Canton Fair?

Many exhibitors are manufacturers with factory MOQs, so the fair suits container-size orders. For small mixed quantities, Guangzhou's wholesale markets or Yiwu are usually a better fit.

How do I ship goods bought at the Canton Fair to Dubai?

Buy FOB, inspect before paying the balance, and have the goods collected to a Guangzhou consolidation warehouse. Sea freight to Dubai takes typically 18–30 days door to door, via Khor Fakkan as of November 2026.

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General information checked on the date shown. Rules and rates change: our team confirms the details for your shipment.

Canton Fair guide: phases, dates, visas, negotiation and shipping to the Gulf